Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Teaching

Course Highlights

1. 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.
2. Child Behaviour: Understand why children display different behaviours and learn how to best approach them.
3. 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.
4. Curriculum Planning: Create learning activities to engage students and develop their skills.

What is the Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Teaching?

The Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Teaching is a one-year postgraduate qualification designed for experienced early childhood educators who want to become qualified early childhood teachers.

This is an accelerated qualification that enables you to arrange a classroom placement for every unit you undertake, giving you real-world opportunities to teach literacy, numeracy, creative arts and sciences while addressing the specific learning needs of children within early childhood services.

Through this graduate diploma, you’ll develop expertise in child development and wellbeing, play-based and creative learning, STEM in early childhood, and professional practice – with workplace-based placement experience built into the course.

Can I become a registered early childhood teacher after completing this course?

The Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Teaching is professionally accredited with the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) and graduates are eligible to apply for registration as an early childhood teacher with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT).

If you plan to teach outside Victoria, you’ll have to check with your local registration body, as reciprocal registration arrangements may vary by state or territory.

How you’ll study

• The Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Teaching runs across four Teaching Periods per year – intakes in January, April, July, and September.
• Set your own study pace by taking one or more units per Teaching Period.
• You’ll have 24/7 access to your online classroom, discussion boards, and learning content.
• Learning is delivered through interactive materials, including videos, quizzes, podcasts, diagrams, and written content.

This course is not offered to students intending to teach in South Australia (SA) or New South Wales (NSW), as it does not currently meet state-based qualification requirements.

This course is not available to international students.

Recommended study pattern

To be awarded the Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Teaching you must complete the four (4) double credit units below:

Core units

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)

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.

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

Indicative total fee $26,680

The amount shown here is 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.

Study on your own terms with this forward-thinking university.

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.

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Applicants are required to meet both of the following minimum entry requirements:

• A successfully completed Australian Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (or recognised ungraded equivalent); and
• A minimum of 5 years relevant leadership or managerial work experience in an early childhood education setting (undertaken within the last 7 years)

All enrolled students must maintain a current Working with Children Check from the appropriate State Authority.

A Police Check may also be required by a school prior to a placement.

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.

60 Days of supervised professional experience.