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104 weeks
On Campus and Online. International students may study up to one-third of the subjects in a course online. Domestic students may study the full course online.
Full Time / Part Time / On Campus / Online · Each academic year includes 3 trimesters of 11 weeks teaching plus exam week. Full-time: 8 subjects per year (approx. 3 hours lectures/tutorials plus 10 hours self-directed study per subject per week). Part-time: 5 subjects per year.
February | May | September
Course Overview
Where You Can Study
Adelaide
Level 3, 127 Rundle Mall, Adelaide, SA 5000
Eligibility
Domestic Students
International Students
Career & Study Pathways
Quality & Recognition
Academic Regulator
ASQA
Professional Body
Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) / AITSL
Accreditation Status
AccreditedSkills Assessor
AITSL / ACECQA
Course Content
Professional Practice
Explores the day-to-day practices of an early childhood teacher including daily responsibilities, operations, legislation, regulations, codes of conduct, pedagogical practices, partnerships with families and communities, and cultural competence.
Exploring Play and Documentation
Covers play theory and pedagogy, the teacher's role in facilitating play, methods of observing and documenting children's behaviour, narrative documentation methods, and creating play environments.
Holistic Child Development
Explores genetics and growth, developmental theories, domains of child development, brain development and neuroscience in the early years, and holistic child development's impact on pedagogical practice.
Diversity and Equity
Covers supporting diversity, equity, cultural responsiveness and inclusivity; relevant conventions and legislation; cultural competence; and inclusive teaching methods to educate young children about cultural diversity and belonging.
Safety, Health and Wellbeing
Explores national regulatory considerations for wellbeing, health, safety and nutrition; providing care to infants, toddlers and young children; child protection; health management; nutrition; and planning for health and safety education.
Development, Assessment and Planning (3-5 years)
Explores contemporary theories and frameworks for teaching young children; documentation, assessment, planning and evaluation; and fostering learning dispositions and holistic development across curriculum provision.
Exploring Creativity
Explores fostering creativity and aesthetics, planning and implementing creative experiences, and facilitating creativity across art, drama, movement, music, STEM, STEAM, STREAM and STEMIE.
Professional Experience 1
Supervised placement in the three to five age range in an education and care setting, applying professional knowledge and demonstrating pedagogical skills.
Professional Experience 1 (Online)
Supervised placement in the three to five age range in an education and care setting, applying professional knowledge and demonstrating pedagogical skills (online pathway).
Theoretical Perspectives and Pedagogy
Explores theoretical influences underpinning global early childhood pedagogy, developmental and socio-cultural theories, post-modernism, and applying theories in curriculum provision and teaching practices.
Understanding and Supporting Exceptionality
Explores inclusive education research and strategies, characteristics of exceptionality, barriers and interventions for children with diverse learning needs, and inclusive approaches in early childhood settings.
Understanding and Guiding Behaviour
Explores brain architecture and early experiences, links between children's contexts and behaviour, pedagogical strategies for guiding behaviour, and the role of play in promoting children's agency.
Working with Families and Communities
Explores contemporary sociology of family and community contexts, social policy influences, diversity and complexity in family contexts, and research-based strategies for working with families and communities.
Sustainability Perspectives in the Early Years
Explores contemporary issues in sustainability and ethics, key concepts in education for sustainability, pedagogical practices to support children's sustainability knowledge and agency, and nurturing active citizenship.
Development, Assessment and Planning (0 to 3 years)
Explores contemporary theories and frameworks for teaching infants and toddlers; documentation, assessment, planning and evaluation; and fostering infant and toddler learning dispositions and holistic development.
Curriculum Approaches and Teaching Strategies
Explores theoretical perspectives on curriculum and pedagogy, contemporary early childhood curriculum approaches, effective teaching strategies, and integration of Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.
Professional Experience 2
Supervised placement in the birth to three age range, applying professional knowledge and demonstrating pedagogical skills across theoretical perspectives, exceptionality, behaviour guidance, families and communities, sustainability, assessment and planning, and curriculum approaches.
Professional Experience 2 (Online)
Supervised placement in the birth to three age range (online pathway), applying professional knowledge and demonstrating pedagogical skills across all Year 2 focus areas.
Common Questions
The course includes 2 supervised placement subjects totalling 30 days (240 hours). Each academic year includes one placement, allowing you to gain experience with babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers across diverse early childhood education settings. Professional Experience 1 focuses on the three to five age range, while Professional Experience 2 focuses on the birth to three age range.
The indicative course fee for domestic students is $35,800 for the full 2-year full-time course. This qualification is FEE-HELP approved for eligible applicants, meaning eligible domestic students may be able to defer their tuition fees through the Australian Government's FEE-HELP scheme.
Yes, the course is recognised by the Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) as an approved early childhood qualification, qualifying graduates as Diploma Educators under the Australian National Quality Framework. It is ACECQA's Accredited as an Approved Diploma Qualified Educator.
Yes. Diploma of Early Childhood Education graduates can advance directly into the third year of the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education. Eligible applicants will be guaranteed 96 credit points out of a total of 192 points for the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, effectively fast-tracking their degree.
International applicants must demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency with an IELTS score of 6.5 (Academic) with no less than 6.0 in Listening, Writing, Reading, and Speaking, or an equivalent recognised English language test result. International students may also study up to one-third of the subjects in the course online.
Application
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Step 01
Enquire
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Step 02
Submit Documents
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Step 03
Get Enrolled
Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!
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