Graduate Diploma of Education (Early Childhood)

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):

1. GA1: Intellectual rigour Critically examine and integrate multiple theoretical and philosophical perspectives to inform pedagogical decision-making, foster inclusive learning environments and to support children’s diverse ways of knowing, being and doing.
2. GA2: Creativity Apply content knowledge and theory to design learning environments that foster children’s curiosity, foundational skills, and holistic development from birth to five years.
3. GA3: Ethical practice Critically analyse and apply knowledge and ethical practices regarding children's services and child protection legislation to create and maintain safe, inclusive, and responsive learning environments that uphold the rights and well-being of all children.
4. GA4: Knowledge of a discipline Apply advanced pedagogical theories and play-based learning approaches when implementing the planning cycle observing, assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating to foster children's learning and development.
5. GA5: Lifelong learning Evaluate and apply leadership theories and strategies to lead pedagogical practice, foster collaborative professional cultures, support governance for ongoing continuous improvement in early childhood settings.
6. GA6: Communication and social skills Apply advanced knowledge of professional practice including coherent communication skills that support equity, inclusion and social justice in early childhood education and care settings. Evaluate and apply leadership theories and strategies to lead pedagogical practice, foster collaborative professional cultures, support governance for ongoing continuous improvement in early childhood settings.
7. GA7: Cultural competence Apply advanced knowledge of professional practice including coherent communication skills that support equity, inclusion and social justice in early childhood education and care settings. Apply a broad knowledge and understanding of the impacts culture, cultural identity and linguistic background on the education of all children, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Evaluate and apply leadership theories and strategies to lead pedagogical practice, foster collaborative professional cultures, support governance for ongoing continuous improvement in early childhood settings.

Early childhood education and care is an immensely satisfying career and a precious opportunity to give children the very best start in life.

In 12 months (1 year), our Graduate Diploma of Education (Early Childhood) will effectively prepare you to work in early childhood education and care settings, long day care centres, kindergartens, and preschools.

Our course covers key areas of early childhood education and care, theory, principles, and practices that best support children’s learning and development. Admission into the course is via an undergraduate degree in any discipline, including a teaching qualification OR a completed Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care (AQF5 or above), with a minimum of five years’ relevant work experience (undertaken within the last seven years) in an Australian early childhood education and care setting with related leadership responsibilities.

The Graduate Diploma of Education (Early Childhood) offers a direct pathway to the Master of Teaching (Early Childhood), facilitating advanced education opportunities*.

This course includes 60 days professional experience learning via placement in early childhood education and care settings. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on the Faculty of Education Professional Experience Requirements website, must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. All professional experience learning days must be completed, and professional behaviour and conduct must be consistently demonstrated.

* Graduate Diploma of Education (Early Childhood) students who entered the course via a diploma-experience pathway are ineligible to progress to a Master of Teaching (Early Childhood). Those students are advised to consider a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education pathway.

Award requirements

To be eligible to receive the Graduate Diploma of Education (Early Childhood) students must complete the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points), comprising:

• 8 core units (96 credit points); and
• 2 professional experience units (0 credit points).

Professional Experience Learning

 This course includes professional experience learning. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on Faculty of Education Professional Experience Requirements website, must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. Preparatory coursework components must be completed prior to the commencement of placement. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.

Inherent Requirements

Inherent requirements are the essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the abilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of the course or unit. Students who have a disability or health condition which may impact on their ability to meet these requirements are encouraged to contact your Course Coordinator or Student Access & Inclusion to discuss.

Teacher registration

All states and territories have different requirements for teacher registration. Graduates are advised to check the early childhood teacher registration requirements for their state or territory, including English Language Proficiency requirements as advised by ACECQA.

Choose your subjects

Majors

The major areas of study include theories of learning and development, principles and practices of early childhood education and care, key issues in the early childhood education and care field including social justice, diversity and equity, working with families, investigating different early childhood educational models around the world and applying knowledge, skills and capabilities in professional experience.

Note: International EAP 2 students can progress to a Graduate Diploma in Education (Early Childhood) with an equivalent of IELTS 6.5

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Indicative total fee $4,904

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.

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Academic admission requirements

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

• completed a bachelor degree (AQF 7) or equivalent; or
• a completed Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care (AQF5 or above), and 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.

Non-Academic Admission Requirements – Genuine Interest

Applicants who do not have a bachelor or equivalent in a cognate discipline (education, child development or related fields such as psychology, social work or community services) are required to provide:

1.  Evidence of prior qualification/s (AQF3 and above) within the Early Childhood Education and Care context or equivalent; or
2. Evidence of Early Childhood work experience in a child care or other early childhood education setting; or
3. A personal statement that addresses the following:
   1. Reason for seeking admission to this course, and decision to transition to the profession; And
   2. Awareness of the role and responsibilities of early childhood educators.

Please refer to (website) for further information.

To meet the minimum English language requirements for this course the applicant must meet one of the following requirements:

• have completed approved qualifications where language of instruction was English as outlined in Rules Relating to Awards - Rule 2 Section 2; OR
• have completed an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification (AQF7 or higher) of at least 2 years of fulltime study in English in Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland), the United States of America, Canada or the Republic of Ireland; OR
• have achieved within two (2) years of the proposed course start date, an overall score of 6.5 with no band below 6.5 in the International English Language Test System (IELTS) Academic test or approved equivalent.

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. Don’t meet the English language requirements? View our English language programs.

• Overall Score: 6.5
• Reading: 6.5
• Writing: 6.5
• Listening: 6.5
• Speaking: 6.5.

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.

Students undertake 60 days (480 hours) of professional placement during this course in two environments — a preschool setting for children aged 3-5 years and an infant and toddler setting. Students are responsible for travel to attend placements, which may not always be within their local area. Students, particularly those in metropolitan areas, are strongly encouraged to consider undertaking a placement in rural and remote regions. Placements are scheduled for specific time periods and have staggered start dates, which means that not all students begin their placements simultaneously.

Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, including Working with Children Check, as detailed on the Faculty of Education Professional Experience Requirements page, must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. Preparatory coursework components must be completed prior to the commencement of placement. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.