This article investigates the prior learning of pre-service early childhood education students in the area of global education, a new curriculum initiative in Australian schools. 65 teacher education students entering the Bachelor of Early Childhood at the University of Western Sydney (UWS) responded to a survey on global education during their orientation programme. The results show that unlike primary and secondary teachers who describe university courses and specific content as reflecting global education; early childhood educators describe global education knowledge and perspectives as representing social processes related to working with young children.