General Information

Overview

The course supports pre-service teachers to become effective and high-quality early childhood teachers to work with children aged birth to 5 years. They will gain skills in supporting children's learning and development, a range of pedagogical approaches, working with families, professionals and the community and understandings the professional conduct of working as an early childhood teacher.

Pre-service teachers will complete 60 days of professional experience as part of the course.

Study structure

Successful completion of the Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Teaching requires students to complete units of study to the value of 100 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.

  • Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year

  • Part-time study: 50 credit points/four standard units of study per year

  • One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)

  • See the course planner for an example degree structure 

  • Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year

  • One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)

  • See the course planner for an example degree structure.

Units of study Unit code
Core units
Child Growth, Health and Wellbeing
Core unit, 25.0 credit points 		EDU60052
Child Play with Literacy and Creative Pedagogy
Core unit, 25.0 credit points 		EDU60053
Child Play with Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Core unit, 25.0 credit points 		EDU60054
Professionalism with Family, Community and Industry
Core unit, 25.0 credit points 		EDU60055

Aims and objectives

On successful completion of this programme the learner will be able to:

  • Plan for and implement effective teaching and learning within a range of early childhood contexts, with a comprehensive knowledge of early childhood curriculum and frameworks within the Australian context.

  • Monitor and assess children's learning and development outcomes and use clear communication to report outcomes to families and communities through critically analysing, consolidating and synthesising assessment information.

  • Implement a range of pedagogical approaches to support the learning and development of children aged birth to 5 years. 

  • Apply knowledge and skills to create supportive, safe and engaging learning environments with an ability to critically analyse information in diverse early childhood settings.

  • Apply a deep knowledge of the early childhood profession that is informed by critical thinking and synthesis of theoretical and practical knowledge, and informed by ongoing professional learning.

  • Collaborate respectfully with families and children, colleagues and other professionals to achieve high outcomes for all children aged birth to 5 years.

Career opportunities

Pre-service teachers who complete this course will be eligible to work as an early childhood teacher with children aged birth to 5 years.

Professional recognition

This course has The Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority ACECQA - accreditation.

Maximum Academic Credit

Academic credit cannot be granted for prior study.

Admission criteria

Information about Swinburne's general admission criteria can be found at Admissions at Swinburne - Higher Education webpage.

Interested in studying the Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Teaching online?

From state-of-the-art facilities to opportunities to engage with industry – this course is designed with your future in mind. Let's get started.

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