Program Overview

Graduate Diploma of Education (Early Childhood)

The Graduate Diploma of Education (Early Childhood) is a postgraduate degree that prepares students to work in early childhood education and care settings. This course covers key areas of early childhood education and care, theory, principles, and practices that best support children's learning and development.

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.

Admission Criteria

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), and 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.

Course Structure

The 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.

Career Outcomes

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 Accreditation

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.

Requirements

To be eligible for entry into this course, applicants must meet the following course-specific admission requirements:

• Completed a bachelor degree (AQF 7) or equivalent
• Completed a 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

English Language Admission Requirements

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

• Have completed approved qualifications where the language of instruction was English
• Have completed an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification (AQF7 or higher) of at least 2 years of full-time study in English in Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada, or the Republic of Ireland
• 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

Course Requirements

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)
• 2 professional experience units (0 credit points)

Units

The following units are part of the course:

• TCHR5001: Play and Pedagogies in Early Childhood Education
• TCHR5003: Principles and Practices in Early Childhood Education
• TCHR2003: Curriculum Studies in Early Childhood
• TCHR2002: Children, Families and Communities
• TCHR6008: Professional Experience: Early Childhood I
• TCHR5010: Theory to Practice: Competency and Capability of Preschoolers
• TCHR3004: Leadership and Advocacy in Early Childhood
• TCHR3001: Early Childhood Matters
• TCHR5009: Theory to practice: Education and Care for Infants and Toddlers
• TCHR6011: Professional Experience: Early Childhood II

Fees and Scholarships

The annual tuition fee for international students is $26,000 ($3,250 per unit). Scholarships are available for domestic and international students, ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars each year.

Why Study Education at Southern Cross University

Southern Cross University is rated in the top 400 universities worldwide in Education, according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025. The university offers extensive and meaningful professional experience placements, ensuring graduates are profession-ready.