Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education

The Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education (ECE) is a post-graduate qualification at Level 8 of the Australian Qualifications Framework.
The qualification aims to provide opportunities for self-motivated, socially engaged, knowledgeable and skilled teachers to develop their practice with the assistance of a university mentor and through engaged professional inquiry into their practice as an early childhood professional.
You are supported to build your expertise and inquire into your professional practice as a teacher in settings such as kindergartens, pre-schools and long day care centres, including special needs settings.
The course aims to foster early childhood professionals who:
•    critically evaluate their practice and seek to maintain a learning culture
•    are lifelong learners and contribute to a wide range of learning communities
•    appreciate the learning needs of children as individuals, in groups, and in families and communities
•    provide children with enriching, stimulating and motivating learning environments that will cater for their diverse needs
•    have an understanding of the curriculum requirements of schools and early childhood settings
•    are innovative and enterprising in planning and organising learning environments
•    use integrated approaches to build on children’s skills and interests, using real-life situations to make learning engaging and relevant
•    value the culturally specific knowledge about children and their identity, wellbeing, learning and development that is embedded in their communities
•    use intentional teaching strategies that are always purposeful to support achievement of well-considered and identified goals
•    create physical and social environments that expose children to learning experiences and physical activity, both indoors and outdoors in the natural world
•    reflect on and inquire into their practice to build their expertise as effective teachers.
There are options to study full-time (one year) or part-time through blended delivery involving both online and on-campus study mode.
Most students are admitted on the basis of satisfactory completion of a three-year Bachelor in Early Childhood Education or a bachelor degree with a significant ECE component.
The Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education offers an upgrade to the equivalent of a four-year qualification for three-year qualified ECE teachers. This upgrade would secure an increase in pay for these teachers. The graduate diploma is also available to four-year qualified ECE teachers looking to complete a post-graduate qualification at diploma level.

IT requirements

To do this course you’ll need a fast and reliable computer and access to high-speed internet. Expect to use about 5GB of data per month for every unit you’re doing. Find out more about the minimum IT requirements for studying with us.

Got questions?

Call us on 1800 333 864, start a live chat or submit an enquiry.

Student support

The support we offer is second to none. Need academic help? No problem. Extra access or financial assistance? Let’s see what we can do. View our student services.

The fine print

The commencement of all courses is subject to available funding and enrolment quotas.

Everything in this course overview is correct at the time of being published. However, the University reserves the right to alter any course, procedure or fee. Please check for changes before you apply or enrol.

Federation University uses Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding (for eligible students) to deliver training.

School department

Education

Course co-ordinator

Susan Emmett