Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education Leadership

Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes (GA).

Course Learning Outcome

GA1: Intellectual rigour

• Critically reflect upon and apply advanced knowledge and theory in leadership to deliver high quality early childhood education and care.

GA2: Creativity

• Demonstrate advanced skills to successfully manage business operations by identifying, reviewing and analysing principles and practices in early childhood education and care contexts.
• Apply professional knowledge, judgement and effective communication strategies to lead and develop teams that deliver positive outcomes for children, families, and colleagues.

GA3: Ethical practice

• Critically analyse and ethically apply national laws governing children’s services within contemporary educational, social, and cultural contexts.
• Apply professional knowledge, judgement and effective communication strategies to lead and develop teams that deliver positive outcomes for children, families, and colleagues.

GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

• Critically reflect upon and apply advanced knowledge and theory in leadership to deliver high quality early childhood education and care.
• Critically analyse and ethically apply national laws governing children’s services within contemporary educational, social, and cultural contexts.
• Demonstrate advanced capacity in effective leadership for professional practice including understanding of social Indigenous and cultural diversity in the early childhood education and care context.

GA5: Lifelong learning

• Demonstrate advanced skills to successfully manage business operations by identifying, reviewing and analysing principles and practices in early childhood education and care contexts.

GA6: Communication and social skills

• Critically reflect upon and apply advanced knowledge and theory in leadership to deliver high quality early childhood education and care.
• Demonstrate advanced capacity in effective leadership for professional practice including understanding of social Indigenous and cultural diversity in the early childhood education and care context.
• Demonstrate advanced skills to successfully manage business operations by identifying, reviewing and analysing principles and practices in early childhood education and care contexts.
• Apply professional knowledge, judgement and effective communication strategies to lead and develop teams that deliver positive outcomes for children, families, and colleagues.

GA7: Cultural competence

• Critically analyse and ethically apply national laws governing children’s services within contemporary educational, social, and cultural contexts.
• Demonstrate advanced capacity in effective leadership for professional practice including understanding of social Indigenous and cultural diversity in the early childhood education and care context.

Ready to excel in early childhood education? This Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education Leadership focuses on innovative practices and emerging trends in early childhood education leadership.

The 6-month course (or one-year part-time) will equip current or aspiring leaders with the skills to provide quality early childhood education and care for children and their families. By emphasising leadership and associated pedagogical practices, educators will be provided with advanced knowledge and theory in leadership to navigate the evolving landscape of the early childhood sector- including regulations, financial and strategic planning, human resource management, operational oversight and innovative education practices.

Students will learn positive leadership pedagogies and effective communication strategies to lead their team. Graduates will demonstrate advanced capacity in effective leadership for professional practice including understanding of social Indigenous and cultural diversity in early childhood education contexts.

This course was co-designed in collaboration with the early childhood sector to meet the needs of early childhood education professionals.

Successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education Leadership will provide entry to, and one unit of credit towards, the Southern Cross University Graduate Diploma of Education (Early Childhood) or Master of Teaching (Early Childhood Education).

Award requirements

To be eligible to receive the Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education Leadership students must complete the equivalent of 4 units (48 credit points), comprising 4 core units.

Choose your subjects

Majors

Students will study four (4) core units covering early childhood leadership and legal responsibilities; effective communication; strategy, operations and financial management; and governance and workforce leadership.

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Indicative total fee $2,369

The amounts shown here are indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 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.

Southern Cross University believes in the power of change. Their graduates stride the global stage at the frontline of healthcare, transforming education in the classroom, and tackling the world’s wicked problems with scientific and engineering solutions. Students enjoy award winning support, teaching quality, and online delivery. Ranked among the best for many years, they will help you make the change you seek to transform your tomorrow.

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QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

30

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

35

To be eligible for entry into this course, applicants must meet the following course specific admission requirements:

• a completed Bachelor degree (AQF 7) or equivalent; or
• a completed Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care (AQF5 or above), plus
• a minimum of five years relevant work experience (undertaken within the last seven years) in an Australian early childhood education setting with related leadership responsibilities.

Language requirements

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 course are as follows

Category Score

• Overall 6.5
• Listening minimum 6.0
• Speaking minimum 6.0
• Reading minimum 6.0
• Writing minimum 6.0.

Credit for Prior Learning, also referred to as ‘Advanced Standing’ or Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL), is the process of looking at your prior study and/or experience to assess if you can be awarded academic credit or gain entry to a course on the basis of your existing knowledge and skills.