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Graduate Diploma of Education (Early Childhood)

Graduate Diploma

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Start Date

    View in availability

  • Duration

    1 year full-time; 2 years part-time

  • Location

    View in availability
    Online students may be required to attend on-campus workshops during some of the units.

  • Placements

    Yes

  • Course abbreviation

    GradDipEd(EC)

  • Course code

    1107425

  • Credit points

    96

  • Equivalent units

    8

  • Indicative Fee

    Commonwealth supported

Overview

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.

Course Learning Outcome

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Gold Coast Term 1, Term 3, Term 5 N/A N/A
Online Term 1, Term 3, Term 5 N/A N/A

Career Outcomes

The Graduate Diploma of Education (Early Childhood) is accredited by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) under the National Quality Framework. Under this framework, graduates can be recognised as an early childhood teacher to practice in settings for children aged from birth to five years in most jurisdictions. Please note that each Australian state/territory has their own teacher registration requirements for Early Childhood Teacher Registration. Graduates must meet the English language and other requirements set by the relevant State or Territory professional or registration authority. Please also refer to the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) teacher registration requirements for English Language proficiency as this may have implications for State or Territory teacher registration. It is the graduates' responsibility to ensure they meet all relevant registration criteria.

States or Territories may require higher language requirements for Teacher Registration in accordance with the AITSL English language proficiency requirements for teacher registration in Australia. Students are advised to carefully review all State and Territory English Language requirements.

Students are advised to confirm the Teacher Registration requirements with the appropriate authority in the state in which they intend to work.

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

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.

English Language admission requirements

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

  1. have completed approved qualifications where language of instruction was English as outlined in Rules Relating to Awards - Rule 2 Section 2; OR
  2. 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
  3. 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

CategoryScore
Overall Score6.5
Reading6.5
Writing6.5
Listening6.5
Speaking6.5

Course requirements

  1. 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.
 
Exit Awards

Students may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Certificate in Education (Early Childhood) after completing the equivalent of 4 units (48 credit points).
 

Inherent Requirements

Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Access 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 Access and Inclusion website for further information and contact details.

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.

 

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

Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

TCHR5001 Pedagogies of Playful Being and Becoming
Summer Term
Term1,4
12
Location Domestic International
Brisbane
Term1,4
Term1,4
Gold Coast
Summer Term
Term1,4
Summer Term
Term1,4
Melbourne
Term1,4
Term1,4
Online
Summer Term
Term1,4
Summer Term
Term1,4
Perth
Term1,4
Term1,4
Sydney
Term1,4
Term1,4
TCHR5003 Flourishing Futures: Quality in Early Childhood Practice
Term1,3,5
12
Location Domestic International
Brisbane
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Gold Coast
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Melbourne
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Online
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Perth
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Sydney
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
TCHR5016 Multiple Languages of Childhood
Term2,4
12
Location Domestic International
Brisbane
Term2,4
Term2,4
Gold Coast
Term2,4
Term2,4
Melbourne
Term2,4
Term2,4
Online
Term2,4
Term2,4
Perth
Term2,4
Term2,4
Sydney
Term2,4
Term2,4
TCHR5019 Children, Families and Communities
Term2,3,5
12
Location Domestic International
Brisbane
Term2,3,5
Term2,3,5
Gold Coast
Term2,3,5
Term2,3,5
Melbourne
Term2,3,5
Term2,3,5
Online
Term2,3,5
Term2,3,5
Perth
Term2,3,5
Term2,3,5
Sydney
Term2,3,5
Term2,3,5
TCHR5018 Discovering Science, Maths and Digital Technologies
Term3,5
12
Location Domestic International
Brisbane
Term3,5
Term3,5
Gold Coast
Term3,5
Term3,5
Melbourne
Term3,5
Term3,5
Online
Term3,5
Term3,5
Perth
Term3,5
Term3,5
Sydney
Term3,5
Term3,5
TCHR5017 Philosophical Inquiry and Collaborative Leadership
Term3,5
12
Location Domestic International
Brisbane
Term3,5
Term3,5
Gold Coast
Term3,5
Term3,5
Melbourne
Term3,5
Term3,5
Online
Term3,5
Term3,5
Perth
Term3,5
Term3,5
Sydney
Term3,5
Term3,5
TCHR5010 Theory to Practice: Competency and Capability of Preschoolers
Dual Term2,3,4
12
Location Domestic International
Brisbane
Dual Term2,3,4
Dual Term2,3,4
Gold Coast
Dual Term2,3,4
Dual Term2,3,4
Melbourne
Dual Term2,3,4
Dual Term2,3,4
Online
Dual Term2,3,4
Dual Term2,3,4
Perth
Dual Term2,3,4
Dual Term2,3,4
Sydney
Dual Term2,3,4
Dual Term2,3,4
Anti-requisites TCHR6004 - Professional Experience in Early Childhood Education I: Pre-schoolers
Enrolment information Students must enrol prior to Week 1. This unit provides intensive workshops which begin on day 1 of teaching and assessment aligned with the Early Childhood Placement.
TCHR6008 Professional Experience: Early Childhood I
Dual Term2,3,4
0 Note 1
Location Domestic International
Brisbane
Dual Term2,3,4
Dual Term2,3,4
Gold Coast
Dual Term2,3,4
Dual Term2,3,4
Melbourne
Dual Term2,3,4
Dual Term2,3,4
Online
Dual Term2,3,4
Dual Term2,3,4
Perth
Dual Term2,3,4
Dual Term2,3,4
Sydney
Dual Term2,3,4
Dual Term2,3,4
Anti-requisites TCHR6004 - Professional Experience in Early Childhood Education I: Pre-schoolers
Enrolment information This unit contains Professional Experience that involves placement in a school/service setting. Students must meet mandatory placement checks and provide evidence of compliance with all pre-placement requirements before being placed. Failure to comply by the deadline will result in the cancellation of your Professional Experience, which means you will be withdrawn and not be permitted to continue in this unit. Early Enrolment Date: Students MUST enrol by the date specified by the Professional Experience Team to ensure that placement can be arranged. All students are required to meet participation requirements, including compulsory attendance at the residential, either online or face-to-face.
TCHR5009 Theory to practice: Education and Care for Infants and Toddlers
Dual Term1,3,4
12
Location Domestic International
Brisbane
Dual Term1,3,4
Dual Term1,3,4
Gold Coast
Dual Term1,3,4
Dual Term1,3,4
Melbourne
Dual Term1,3,4
Dual Term1,3,4
Online
Dual Term1,3,4
Dual Term1,3,4
Perth
Dual Term1,3,4
Dual Term1,3,4
Sydney
Dual Term1,3,4
Dual Term1,3,4
Anti-requisites TCHR6001 - Professional Experience in Early Childhood Education II: Infants and Toddlers
Enrolment information Students MUST enrol prior to Week 1. This unit provides intensive workshops which begin on day 1 of teaching and assessment aligned with the Early Childhood Placement.
TCHR6011 Professional Experience: Early Childhood II
Dual Term1,3,4
0 Note 1
Location Domestic International
Brisbane
Dual Term1,3,4
Dual Term1,3,4
Gold Coast
Dual Term1
Dual Term1
Melbourne
Dual Term1,3,4
Dual Term1,3,4
Online
Dual Term1,3,4
Dual Term1,3,4
Perth
Dual Term1,3,4
Dual Term1,3,4
Sydney
Dual Term1,3,4
Dual Term1,3,4
Anti-requisites TCHR6001 - Professional Experience in Early Childhood Education II: Infants and Toddlers
Enrolment information This unit contains Professional Experience that involves placement in a school/service setting. Students must meet mandatory placement checks and provide evidence of compliance with all pre-placement requirements before being placed. Failure to comply by the deadline will result in the cancellation of your Professional Experience, which means you will be withdrawn and not be permitted to continue in this unit. Early Enrolment Date: Students MUST enrol by the date specified by the Professional Experience Team to ensure that placement can be arranged. All students are required to meet participation requirements, including compulsory attendance at the residential, either online or face-to-face.

Note 1:

This unit involves a professional experience placement.

Unit Code Unit Title Notes
TCHR5001 Pedagogies of Playful Being and Becoming
TCHR5003 Flourishing Futures: Quality in Early Childhood Practice
TCHR5016 Multiple Languages of Childhood
TCHR5019 Children, Families and Communities
TCHR5018 Discovering Science, Maths and Digital Technologies
TCHR5017 Philosophical Inquiry and Collaborative Leadership
TCHR5010 Theory to Practice: Competency and Capability of Preschoolers
TCHR6008 Professional Experience: Early Childhood I Note 1
TCHR5009 Theory to practice: Education and Care for Infants and Toddlers
TCHR6011 Professional Experience: Early Childhood II Note 1