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, Whyalla, Mt Gambier
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course owner
Course owner
School of Education
Course coordinator
Course coordinator
Diamond Sinanis
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.
No
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
No
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
No

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

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A

Availability

Enrol by date
Enrol by date
Fri 13/03/2026
Census date Icon
Census date
Fri 27/03/2026
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

Group 1

Class number
Class number 21072
Section
Section TU02
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 2
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
24 Feb - 10 Mar Tuesday 9:10am - 12pm Magill Samsung SMARTSchool, S1-12B Martyn Mills-Bayne
24 Mar - 7 Apr Tuesday 9:10am - 12pm Magill Samsung SMARTSchool, S1-12B Martyn Mills-Bayne
5 May - 26 May Tuesday 9:10am - 12pm Magill Samsung SMARTSchool, S1-12B Martyn Mills-Bayne
Class number
Class number 21073
Section
Section TU01
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 19
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
23 Feb - 9 Mar Monday 12:10pm - 3pm Magill Samsung SMARTSchool, S1-12B Susie Raymond, Carlene Paterson
4 May - 25 May Monday 12:10pm - 3pm Magill Samsung SMARTSchool, S1-12B Susie Raymond, Carlene Paterson
23 Mar - 6 Apr Monday 12:10pm - 3pm Magill Samsung SMARTSchool, S1-12B Susie Raymond, Carlene Paterson

Mt Gambier

Group 1

Class number
Class number 31650
Section
Section TU01
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 28
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
8 May - 29 May Friday 11:10am - 12pm Mt Gambier Learning Centre, LC1-34 Robyn Teakle, Carlene Paterson
27 Feb - 13 Mar Friday 11:10am - 12pm Mt Gambier Learning Centre, LC1-34 Robyn Teakle, Carlene Paterson
27 Mar - 10 Apr Friday 11:10am - 12pm Mt Gambier Learning Centre, LC1-34 Robyn Teakle, Carlene Paterson

Mawson Lakes

Group 1

Class number
Class number 21071
Section
Section TU01
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 12
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
23 Feb - 9 Mar Monday 9:10am - 12pm Mawson Lakes Sir Eric Neal Library, C1-39 Martyn Mills-Bayne, Carlene Paterson
23 Mar - 6 Apr Monday 9:10am - 12pm Mawson Lakes Sir Eric Neal Library, C1-39 Martyn Mills-Bayne, Carlene Paterson
4 May - 25 May Monday 9:10am - 12pm Mawson Lakes Sir Eric Neal Library, C1-39 Martyn Mills-Bayne, Carlene Paterson

Online

Group 1

Class number
Class number 20255
Section
Section 01OL
Size
Size 31
Available
Available 2
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
23 Feb - 21 Jun - Online , Diamond Sinanis, Carlene Paterson

Adelaide City Campus East

Group 1

Class number
Class number 29027
Section
Section TU01
Size
Size 27
Available
Available 15
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
25 Feb - 11 Mar Wednesday 9:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East Napier, LG12 Martyn Mills-Bayne, Carlene Paterson
25 Mar - 8 Apr Wednesday 9:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East Napier, LG12 Martyn Mills-Bayne, Carlene Paterson
6 May - 27 May Wednesday 9:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East Napier, LG12 Martyn Mills-Bayne, Carlene Paterson

Whyalla

Group 1

Class number
Class number 31649
Section
Section TU01
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 28
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
25 Feb - 11 Mar Wednesday 11:10am - 12pm Whyalla Main Building, MB2-59 Carlene Paterson
25 Mar - 8 Apr Wednesday 11:10am - 12pm Whyalla Main Building, MB2-59 Carlene Paterson
6 May - 27 May Wednesday 11:10am - 12pm Whyalla Main Building, MB2-59 Carlene Paterson

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