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.

Career opportunities arising from this course include:

• Early childhood teacher in preschool and long day care (child care) settings
• Family day care educator
• Early childhood services.

Professional Placement

Students undertake 60 days of professional placement during this course in two environments - a preschool setting and an infant and toddler setting.

Professional Recognition

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.