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Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education Leadership

Graduate Certificate

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Course abbreviation

    GradCertECEdLead

  • Course code

    1008253

  • Credit points

    48

  • Equivalent units

    4

  • Indicative Fee

    Fee paying

Overview

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).

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.

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.

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Gold Coast Term 1 N/A N/A
Online Term 1, Term 3 N/A N/A

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Entry requirements

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

CategoryScore
Overall6.5
Listeningminimum 6.0
Speakingminimum 6.0
Readingminimum 6.0
Writingminimum 6.0

Course 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.

Course structure

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.

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Notes
EDUC5014 Early Childhood Leadership and Legal Responsibilities
Term1,3
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1,3
Term1,3
Online
Term1,3
Term1,3
EDUC5015 Early Childhood Effective Communication in Leadership
Term1,3
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1,3
Term1,3
Online
Term1,3
Term1,3
EDUC6021 Early Childhood Strategy, Operations and Financial Management
Term2,4
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2,4
Term2,4
Online
Term2,4
Term2,4
EDUC6022 Early Childhood Governance and Workforce Leadership
Term2,4
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2,4
Term2
Online
Term2,4
Term2,4

Unit Code Unit Title Notes
EDUC5014 Early Childhood Leadership and Legal Responsibilities
EDUC5015 Early Childhood Effective Communication in Leadership
EDUC6021 Early Childhood Strategy, Operations and Financial Management
EDUC6022 Early Childhood Governance and Workforce Leadership