Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care

Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care will demonstrate:

1. Specialised knowledge and understanding of the discourses, debates and issues in early childhood education and care.
2. Knowledge of the scope of education and care that incorporates a global perspective and an understanding of its points of intersection with related disciplines and society. 

Work towards a career as an early years education specialist and make a meaningful impact during the most important period of a child's learning and development. Designed for qualified registered teachers, this graduate certificate expands your expertise so you can teach in preschool settings (1-5 years) and confidently support children in the early years of school (5-8 years).

With a strong focus on contemporary practice, inclusive education and practical experience, this qualification will strengthen your professional identity and prepare you for specialised early childhood roles.

Highlights of studying the Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care

• Extend your teaching qualifications to include preschool and early years settings.
• Explore contemporary theories of child development, equity and diversity.
• Build your knowledge of early childhood curriculum and pedagogy.
• Engage in significant professional experience with children from birth to eight years old.
• Develop confidence working with families, communities and multidisciplinary teams.

Explore the foundations of early childhood education 

Investigate the philosophies, histories and social influences that have guided early childhood education in Australia and around the world. You'll learn how children's rights, educator ethics and community context inform high-quality practice, and explore how teachers and children can co-construct meaningful curriculum that responds to children's interests, abilities and cultural identities. With knowledge of development, pedagogy and professional practice, you'll be prepared to support young learners during their formative years.

Build your expertise through early childhood placements  

Gain hands-on experience through an extensive professional placement program, where you'll participate in observation, planning, teaching and critical reflection in early childhood environments. These experiences are aligned with the National Quality Standard, the Early Years Learning Framework and the Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guideline, ensuring you graduate with skills that meet sector expectations.

Recommended study pattern

As a guide, core subjects in this degree can include: 

• Child Development, Families and Communities
• History and Philosophy of Early Childhood 
• Curriculum and Pedagogy in the Early Years
• Professional Experience and Practice Early Childhood Education and Care.

As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you.

Award requirements

For the award of Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (GCertEarlyChiEdCare), you must successfully Complete 40 credit points comprising:

• 40 credit points for all Foundation Module.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $2,400

The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying part-time, which is typically 4 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

With a network of campuses spanning three cities in South East Queensland, Griffith University is committed to progressive multidisciplinary teaching and research and a valuable online provider with Open Universities Australia.

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QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

18

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

20

To be eligible for this program, you must meet the following criteria: 

• A recognised Bachelor degree (or higher) in primary or second education qualification that leads to teacher registration.

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this program are as follows:

• A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 6.0
• OR a minimum score of 575 on TOEFL
• OR an internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score of 79 (no sub-score less than 19)
• OR no score less than 3+ in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only)
• OR a minimum overall score of 176 (no score less than 169) on C1 Advanced (formerly Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English) or C2 Proficiency (formerly Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English)
• OR an overall score of 58 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 50.

English test results must be no more than two years old.

The Direct Entry Program (DEP) pathway is not accepted for this program.

Applicants should refer to the English language requirements section of the following University procedure for exceptions to these overall requirements.

Reduce the time it takes to finish your degree. You can apply to Griffith to recognise your prior learning, including: 

• Formal learning through courses completed at uni and TAFE. 
• Informal learning through workplace experience or volunteer training. 
• Non-formal learning through social experiences and hobbies. 

Students in this program must undertake:

• a minimum of 10 days professional experience with children aged birth to 2 years,
• 40 days working with children 2 to 5 years; and
• 10 days in a 5 to 8 years setting; students who have completed an initial teacher primary education program may be exempt from completing this requirement.