Course summary
Early childhood education is an immensely satisfying career and a precious opportunity to give children the very best start in life.
In just one year, our Graduate Diploma in Education (Early Childhood) will allow you to become a fully qualified early childhood teacher in a preschool, or an educator within the family day care or traditional day care system.
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 three-year teaching qualification.
Students also undertake 60 days of professional placement in early childhood settings.
The block professional teaching experiences, combined with volunteer activities and embedded site visits will provide you with a deep understanding about the role of a teacher. As you will be interacting with children and young people, upon enrolment you will be expected to apply and attain a valid Working with Children Check for your state or territory. See professional experience requirements.
Early childhood education is an immensely satisfying career and a precious opportunity to give children the very best start in life.
In just one year, our Graduate Diploma in Education (Early Childhood) will allow you to become a fully qualified early childhood teacher in a preschool, or an educator within the family day care or traditional day care system.
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 three-year teaching qualification.
Students also undertake 60 days of professional placement in early childhood settings.
The block professional teaching experiences, combined with volunteer activities and embedded site visits will provide you with a deep understanding about the role of a teacher. As you will be interacting with children and young people, upon enrolment you will be expected to apply and attain a valid Working with Children Check for your state or territory. See professional experience requirements.
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
| Course Learning Outcome |
|---|
Exercise critical analysis, problem solving, and decision making in Early Childhood educational based practice Demonstrate application of advanced knowledge and current research in relation to Early Childhood education practice |
Demonstrate cognitive, technical, and creative skills to investigate, analyse, and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts, and theories |
Demonstrate a knowledge of social responsibility, ethics and legal principles consistent with what is expected of an Early Childhood professional working in a learning community with all stakeholders Demonstrate an awareness of the need for student safety and support within professional frameworks Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to legislative requirements and codes of conduct relevant to the education profession |
Demonstrate advanced integrated knowledge and understanding of Early Childhood teaching and relevant curriculum framework Demonstrate an evidence based understanding and knowledge of the pedagogy for effective Early Childhood educational practice |
Demonstrate a commitment to personal and professional development through self-directed learning and reflective practice |
Demonstrate an advanced ability to communicate and interpret evidence based research which inform professional decision making Demonstrate teamwork and leadership skills applicable in professional educational settings |
Apply and integrate an understanding of social, indigenous and cultural diversity, and respect for the identity of all persons, in local and international contexts Identify and apply proactive and inclusive strategies to encourage and support student engagement and behaviour including diverse groups of learners such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, migrants and students from non- English speaking backgrounds Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of inclusion and diverse learning needs Demonstrate an understanding of and respect for diversity in others and self |
Students undertake 60 days of professional placement during this course in two environments - a preschool setting and an infant and toddler setting.
The University has accreditation for this course from the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA).
Please note, this course qualifies early childhood teachers to teach from birth to five-year-old settings. These settings are known differently throughout Australia, some as preschools and others as kindergarten. The course does not qualify graduates to teach in primary school settings.
Course overview
Course code
1107425
Course abbreviation
GradDipEd(EC)
Credit points
96
Equivalent units
8
Duration
1 year full-time; 2 years part-time
Duration
1 year full-time
Availability details
Domestic
| Location | Teaching period | UAC code | QTAC code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Coast | Session 1 | N/A | N/A |
| Online | Session 1 | N/A | N/A |
Fee information
International
| Location | Teaching period | Annual Fees | CRICOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Coast | Session 1 | $26,800 ($3,350 per unit) | 102984F |
| Online | Session 1 | N/A | N/A |
Course requirements
See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.
-
To be eligible for the award of Graduate Diploma in Education (Early Childhood) a candidate shall successfully complete:
- Not less than eight (8) units (96 credit points) comprising all units listed in the Schedule of Units attached to this award.
- Permission to undertake a professional experience placement will at all times be at the discretion of the Head of School.
Inherent Requirements
Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Equity and Inclusion website. If you have a disability or health condition which may impact on your ability to meet these requirements please refer to the Student Equity and Inclusion website for further information and contact details.
Schedule of units
Course progressions
Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.
Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment
Browse uni-wide elective units by selecting Uni-wide elective in the advanced filter of the Unit search.
Browse shared majors and their units at Shared majors
Notes
| Note 1: | This unit involves a professional experience placement. |