Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Teaching
An accredited and accelerated teaching course. Add this teaching qualification to your prior studies and experience–and become an early childhood or kindergarten teacher.
About the Course
Upskill your current industry experience or launch into one of the most rewarding careers as an Early Childhood Teacher. The Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Teaching is a one-year postgraduate qualification which will provide you the pathway to become a qualified teacher with an expert understanding in educational theory and pedagogical practices to make a difference to children’s lives and your early childhood employer services.
The demand for early childhood teachers and job roles are predicted to rise strongly from 47,900 to 56,200 by 2025. With strong employability prospects and a growing demand for early childhood teachers, there has never been a better time to elevate or discover your passion in childhood education.
This innovative and accelerated early childhood teacher qualification helps overcome the typical barriers to undertaking an early childhood teaching qualification through a workplace-based internship model with alternative setting experience. Achieve a sector-led qualification and become immersed in real-world opportunities to teach literacy, numeracy, and sciences while building the practical techniques to the specific early childhood teaching needs of pre-primary school aged children.
The Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Teaching is professionally accredited with ACECQA and Graduates are eligible to apply for registration as an early childhood teacher with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT). Please check with your state’s early childhood teacher registration body for reciprocal arrangements which exist in other states/territories.
Course Entry Requirements
Students must have successfully completed an Australian Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (or recognised ungraded equivalent), and a minimum of five years relevant work experience (undertaken within the last seven years) in an early childhood education setting with related leadership responsibilities.
Additional Requirements
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.
English Language Literacy
Evidence of English language proficiency is not required if the applicant has completed a bachelor degree in English in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada or the Republic of Ireland.
For bachelor degrees completed in other countries, the following criteria applies:
IELTS (Academic Module): Overall 6.5 with no individual band below 6.0
Swinburne English Language Centre: EAP 5 Advanced level with overall 70% and all skills 65% or above
Or equivalent measures available at the Swinburne English Language Requirements page.
Course Structure
Recommended study pattern
Child Growth, Health and Well-Being (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)
Placement Requirement
60 days of supervised professional experience.
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
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.
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.
Curriculum Planning
Create learning activities to engage students and develop their skills.
Child Behaviour
Understand why children display different behaviours and learn how to best approach them.
Health & Activity
Explore a range of issues surrounding children’s health, nutrition and safety.
Twenty-First Century Teaching
Embrace the role of being a teacher in an era of rapid change.
