Early Childhood Education: Contexts, History, Philosophy, Frameworks

Undergraduate | 2026

Course page banner
Mode icon
Mode
Mode
Your study is delivered on campus and/or online
On campus, 100% online
area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
EDUC X101
Course ID icon
Course ID
206396
Campus icon
Campus
Magill, Mawson Lakes, Online, Adelaide City Campus East
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course owner
Course owner
School of Education
Course coordinator
Course coordinator
Martyn Mills-Bayne
Course level icon
Course level
1
Work Integrated Learning course
Work Integrated Learning course
No
Study abroad and student exchange icon
Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
Yes
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
Yes
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
Yes

Course overview

This course aims to introduce the range of contexts of Early Childhood Education settings; history and philosophies of Early Childhood Education including contemporary and alternative perspectives and approaches to pedagogy and interactions; and begins exploration and development of knowledge of the frameworks that guide Early Childhood Education in Australia. 

  • Concepts of Childhood
  • Historical Foundations
  • Frameworks for ECEC
  • Developmental and Sociocultural
  • Critical Theories
  • Alternative, Reimagined Perspectives
  • Culturally Responsive Pedagogies
  • Observation and Planning
  • Ethical Practice
  • Reflective Practice and Teacher Identity

Course learning outcomes

  • Discuss the discipline of early childhood education and knowledge of key policies and frameworks that shape contemporary early childhood education thinking and practices
  • Describe and critique theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of contemporary Australian early childhood education, including curriculum, policy and pedagogies
  • Reflect on the role of an early childhood educator, contemporary theories and pedagogies, and responsibility for ethical and culturally responsive practice

Availability

Census date Icon
Census date
Fri 27/03/2026
Enrol by date
Enrol by date
Fri 13/03/2026
Last day to W
Last day to W
Fri 10/04/2026
Last day to WF
Last day to WF
Fri 08/05/2026

Class details

Magill

Class number
Class number 21073
Section
Section TU01
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
23 Feb - 9 Mar Monday 12:10pm - 3pm Magill Samsung SMARTSchool, S1-12B
23 Mar - 6 Apr Monday 12:10pm - 3pm Magill Samsung SMARTSchool, S1-12B
4 May - 25 May Monday 12:10pm - 3pm Magill Samsung SMARTSchool, S1-12B
Class number
Class number 21072
Section
Section TU02
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
24 Feb - 10 Mar Tuesday 9:10am - 12pm Magill Samsung SMARTSchool, S1-12B
24 Mar - 7 Apr Tuesday 9:10am - 12pm Magill Samsung SMARTSchool, S1-12B
5 May - 26 May Tuesday 9:10am - 12pm Magill Samsung SMARTSchool, S1-12B
Class number
Class number 21856
Section
Section TU03
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
23 Feb - 9 Mar Monday 9:10am - 12pm Magill Samsung SMARTSchool, S1-12B
23 Mar - 6 Apr Monday 9:10am - 12pm Magill Samsung SMARTSchool, S1-12B
4 May - 25 May Monday 9:10am - 12pm Magill Samsung SMARTSchool, S1-12B
Class number
Class number 21855
Section
Section TU04
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
24 Feb - 10 Mar Tuesday 12:10pm - 3pm Magill Samsung SMARTSchool, S1-12B
24 Mar - 7 Apr Tuesday 12:10pm - 3pm Magill Samsung SMARTSchool, S1-12B
5 May - 26 May Tuesday 12:10pm - 3pm Magill Samsung SMARTSchool, S1-12B

Mawson Lakes

Class number
Class number 21071
Section
Section TU01
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
23 Feb - 9 Mar Monday 9:10am - 12pm Mawson Lakes Sir Eric Neal Library, C1-39
23 Mar - 6 Apr Monday 9:10am - 12pm Mawson Lakes Sir Eric Neal Library, C1-39
4 May - 25 May Monday 9:10am - 12pm Mawson Lakes Sir Eric Neal Library, C1-39
Class number
Class number 21070
Section
Section TU02
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
23 Feb - 9 Mar Monday 2:10pm - 5pm Mawson Lakes Sir Eric Neal Library, C1-39
23 Mar - 6 Apr Monday 2:10pm - 5pm Mawson Lakes Sir Eric Neal Library, C1-39
4 May - 25 May Monday 2:10pm - 5pm Mawson Lakes Sir Eric Neal Library, C1-39
Class number
Class number 21858
Section
Section TU03
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
24 Feb - 10 Mar Tuesday 3:10pm - 6pm Mawson Lakes Building P, P2-06
24 Mar - 7 Apr Tuesday 3:10pm - 6pm Mawson Lakes Building P, P2-06
5 May - 26 May Tuesday 3:10pm - 6pm Mawson Lakes Building P, P2-06
Class number
Class number 21857
Section
Section TU04
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
24 Feb - 10 Mar Tuesday 2:10pm - 5pm Mawson Lakes Building J, J1-05
24 Mar - 7 Apr Tuesday 2:10pm - 5pm Mawson Lakes Building J, J1-05
5 May - 26 May Tuesday 2:10pm - 5pm Mawson Lakes Building J, J1-05

Adelaide City Campus East

Class number
Class number 29027
Section
Section TU01
Size
Size 27
Available
Available 27
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
25 Feb - 11 Mar Wednesday 9:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East Napier, LG12
25 Mar - 8 Apr Wednesday 9:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East Napier, LG12
6 May - 27 May Wednesday 9:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East Napier, LG12
Class number
Class number 29944
Section
Section TU02
Size
Size 20
Available
Available 20
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
25 Feb - 11 Mar Wednesday 12:10pm - 3pm Adelaide City Campus East Napier, LG12
25 Mar - 8 Apr Wednesday 12:10pm - 3pm Adelaide City Campus East Napier, LG12
6 May - 27 May Wednesday 12:10pm - 3pm Adelaide City Campus East Napier, LG12

Online

Class number
Class number 20255
Section
Section 01OL
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
- Online ,

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A

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