Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Teaching
Postgraduate | SWI-ECT-GDI | 2022
Course information for 2022 intake View information for 2024 course intake
An accredited and accelerated teaching course
Add this teaching qualification to your prior studies and experience–and become an early childhood or kindergarten teacher. Take part in professional placements in settings with children aged 0-5 years. You’ll explore how they learn and play.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Credit available
- Yes
- Total subjects
- 4
- Price from
- $22,800
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Teaching
About this degree
Learning Environment Management Techniques
Learn practical, age-appropriate techniques that help nurture a positive and dynamic learning environment for babies and young learners aged 0 – 5 years.
Practical Skills for Early Childhood Teaching
Apply early-childhood specific learning techniques in group learning contexts, preparing dynamic lesson plans that harness the education potential of play and creativity.
Curriculum Planning
Create learning activities to engage students and develop their skills.
Child Behaviour
Understand why children display different behaviours and learn how to best approach them.
Health and Activity
Explore a range of issues surrounding children’s health, nutrition and safety.
Twenty-first Century Teaching
Embrace the role of being a teacher in an era of rapid change.
Upskill your current industry experience or launch into one of the most rewarding careers as an Early Childhood Teacher. The Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Teaching is a one-year postgraduate qualification which will provide you the pathway to become a qualified teacher with an expert understanding in educational theory and pedagogical practices to make a difference to children’s lives and your early childhood employer services.
The demand for early childhood teachers and job roles are predicted to rise strongly from 47,900 to 56,200 by 2025. With strong employability prospects and a growing demand for early childhood teachers, there has never been a better time to elevate or discover your passion in childhood education.
This innovative and accelerated early childhood teacher qualification helps overcome the typical barriers to undertaking an early childhood teaching qualification through a workplace-based internship model with alternative setting experience. Achieve a sector-led qualification and become immersed in real-world opportunities to teach literacy, numeracy, and sciences while building the practical techniques to the specific early childhood teaching needs of pre-primary school aged children.
The Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Teaching is professionally accredited with ACECQA and Graduates are eligible to apply for registration as an early childhood teacher with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT). Please check with your state’s early childhood teacher registration body for reciprocal arrangements which exist in other states/territories.
Recommended study pattern
Child Growth, Health and Wellbeing (EDU60052)
Child Play with Literacy and Creative Pedagogy (EDU60053)
Child Play with Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (EDU60054)
Professionalism with Family, Community and Industry (EDU60055)
Placement Requirement
60 days of supervised professional experience.
Award requirements
To qualify for the award of Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Teaching, students must complete 100 credit points comprising:
- Four core units (25 credit points each for a total of 100 credit points)
- 60 days of supervised professional experience
Swinburne University of Technology leads the way with innovative and new ways of teaching, learning and thinking. It offers a wide range of study options, from pre-apprenticeships, undergraduate, postgraduate and PhDs, including online degrees with Open Universities Australia. Swinburne is known for career-oriented education and encouraging lifelong learning.
Learn more about Swinburne.
Explore Swinburne courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 19
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 14
How to apply
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Entry requirements
You must have successfully completed an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline, with a minimum of one year early childhood service employment or volunteer experience.
A graded Australian Diploma in Children’s Services (or recognised graded equivalent) with at least a pass (50%) average; and a minimum of 5 years relevant work experience (undertaken within the last 7 years), in an early childhood education setting with related leadership responsibilities.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Speak to a Course Consultant about applying for RPL.
Career opportunities
Early Childhood Teacher
Teach the basics of numeracy, literacy, music, and art to early childhood students.
Kindergarten Teacher
Guide young children in the acquisition of fundamental literacy and numeracy skills, effectively preparing them for a successful transition to primary school.
Early Childhood Teaching Director
Develop the curriculum, set policies and oversee daily operations of an early childhood centre.
Professional recognition
The Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Teaching is professionally accredited with ACECQA and Graduates are eligible to apply for registration as an early childhood teacher with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT). Please check with your state’s early childhood teacher registration body for reciprocal arrangements which exist in other states/territories.
Career outlook
- Child Care Centre Managers:
- $75K to $93K
- Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers:
- $75K to $93K