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Course Overview
class="m-0 section-title__container anchorname" id="overview"> Overview As an early childhood teacher, you will support young learners and their families as advocates, enablers, custodians and thinkers – nurturing tomorrow’s global citizens in yet-to-be-imagined futures. The Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education equips you with the knowledge, skills and practical experience to foster the developmental milestones of children from birth to age five. Blending global and Indigenous perspectives with active and research-informed teaching methods, this one-year intensive course encourages you to adopt a teaching approach that respects diversity in age, gender, ethnicity, and ability. You'll become an innovative and attuned professional teacher with the ability to include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander narratives in your teaching practices. You'll also examine the role of play in a holistic early childhood curriculum with an emphasis on science, technologies, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) and sustainable futures. Upon completion, you'll be ready to begin a fulfilling career shaping children's education. You'll gain the ability to teach in private enterprise, government agencies and community-based early childhood education and care settings, locally or globally. Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education Play an important role in shaping the education experiences of young children with the Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education. Transcript So welcome to our new amazing space that has just been built at RMIT, Bundoora, where it's our early childhood lab and this is a great opportunity for all our students to participate in hands on learning and really develop their skills and pedagogy. Before that, they go out on placement. Most of our students that come from an international background are really starting to develop their learning skills in an Australian curriculum, and one of the ways that we can do that is learning through play. And so we teach the students a range of maths and English and how we can all do that through hands on learning through play, so that they can resemble that when they go out on placement. But what we're really excited for is our industry partners to see the change in our students once they go out on placement, to realize that they're already coming in with such a range, a set of skills that is going to provide them confidence in learning before they even into their services. So it was a collective group of all the early childhood teachers within RMIT, and we had a very strong consensus and support from the school that this would be an amazing opportunity for all of our students to engage in learning, which we offer that no other university is offering before students go out on placement. I didn't realize that learning could be so much fun. Back to video Why choose the Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education at RMIT? Industry input Benefit from our Industry Advisory Committee's expertise and feedback on course content. Industry experience Undertake placement in early childhood education and care settings and put theories, concepts and ideas into practice. Expert educators Learn from experienced academics with connections to industry and funded research projects. Study the Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education Hear from students and teachers why RMIT’s Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education is the best choice to set you up for a rewarding career as an early childhood educator. Study the Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education Hear from students and teachers why RMIT’s Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education is the best choice to set you up for a rewarding career as an early childhood educator. Transcript Fariah: I wanted to study Early Childhood Education because it's a very rewarding career. So RMIT has always been a dream for me. Mahin: One of the highlights has definitely been the outdoor experiences and outdoor classes that we got to do. Alex: Throughout this course, we are given the opportunity to self-pace our learnings. Dr Aleksandra Acker: The Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education employs innovative applications of communication technologies to deliver on campus, online and in-practice learning experiences facilitated by interdisciplinary team of experts. Fariah: I thought that online is just going to be me and the computer, but it's actually a lot more, like I got to communicate with my teachers and my peers. It actually helped me develop my communication skills. Mahin: I think RMIT’s industry connections is really important. For example, if you need help with your resumes, there's the job shop. You can always reach out to previous alumni or teaching staff. Having that support really helped me to feel confident about choosing RMIT for my studies. Dr Aleksandra Acker: The Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority requires pre-service teachers to complete 60 days placement: 10 days in birth to 35 months and 50 days in three- to five-year-old rooms. Our students go on placement after completing theoretical classes. They work with a mentor from the placement centre who guides them to complete their placement successfully. Alexandra: My favourite part is the placements. I know that not all the universities send their students to three different placements, but RMIT does that for us. Mahin: My advice is really think about: why do you want to work with young children? Why do you want to work with families? Whether making a lasting impact in your community and in the lives of families is something that you're really passionate about. If that is the case, then studying early childhood education at RMIT is definitely the right choice. Alexandra: I do feel like I've made a good choice coming to RMIT because RMIT is a more mature university and the administration side is done really well. Fariah: RMIT is a highly respected university in Australia. I think it's going to help me immensely in developing my skills and gaining experience that will help me become a better teacher when I'm actually out into the practical life. Back to Video Melanie Sharpham, Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education This graduate diploma has excellent grounding in the latest research, taught by world class lecturers. Students are supported by a mentor teacher for the duration of the course, demonstrating first-hand the key importance of belonging in any education environment. <div
Where You Can Study
Melbourne
124 La Trobe St, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Eligibility
class="m-0 section-title__container anchorname" id="admissions"> Entry requirements and admissions You need to satisfy all of the following entry requirements to be considered for entry into this degree. Expand all sections Collapse all sections Academic requirements Prerequisites Selection tasks English language requirements Academic requirements You must have successfully completed an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification) in any discipline. Selection for Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) is competitive, and places are limited. For your best chance at admission into this program, you are encouraged to apply as early as possible. You will be selected based on your grade point average (GPA). The Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education has English language requirements which are specific to this degree. For more information, please refer to the English language requirements tab. Prerequisites There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification. Selection tasks A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification. English language requirements If you did not complete your bachelor degree in English at an approved institution in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom or the United States of America you must complete one of the following English proficiency tests or an approved Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) English Language Test : IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 7.0 (with no individual band below 6.5) TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 94 (with minimum of 19 in Reading, 20 in Listening, 20 in Speaking and 24 in Writing) Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 65 (with no communication band less than 58) C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency: minimum of 185 with no less than 176 in any component. The test must be taken no more than two years prior to the RMIT program commencement date. You need to satisfy all of the following requirements to be considered for entry into this course. Expand all sections Collapse all sections Academic requirements Prerequisites Selection tasks English language requirements Academic requirements You must have successfully completed an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification) in any discipline. Prerequisites There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification. Selection tasks A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification. English language requirements If you did not complete your bachelor degree in English at an approved institution in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom or the United States of America within five years prior to the RMIT program commencement date, you must complete one of the following English proficiency tests or an approved Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) English Language Test : IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 7.0 (with no individual band below 6.5) TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT) for Australia: minimum overall score of 94 (with minimum of 19 in Reading, 20 in Listening, 20 in Speaking and 24 in Writing) Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 65 (with no communication band less than 58) C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency: minimum of 185 with no less than 176 in any component. The test must be taken no more than two years prior to the RMIT program commencement date. Additional information Expand all sections Immunisation and compliance requirements Working with Children Check (WWC) Applicants will be required to hold a valid Victorian Working with Children (WWC) Check (valid for 5 years) prior to undertaking professional placement as part of this program. Note: For placements undertaken interstate a valid WWC Check is required for that state. For more information visit the Working With Children Check website . Vaccination Some child care centres may require you to provide evidence of vaccination prior to undertaking professional experience. Inherent requirements (non-academic abilities) Non-academic abilities you'll need to complete this course The following information outlines the tasks you will be required to undertake during professional experience placement and on-campus learning activities. The non-academic abilities listed are provided for your information only and are not entry requirements. By understanding the types of activities you'll participate in, you can: understand more about the course determine if you may need support during your studies make an informed decision about whether the course is suitable for you. Adjustments If there are any activities outlined which may be difficult for you to undertake, there is a range of adjustments to your study conditions available to enable and support you to demonstrate these abilities. Please contact the Equitable Learning Services (ELS) team to discuss any adjustments you may require. To receive learning adjustments, you need to register with ELS. If you are living with disability, long-term illness and/or a mental health condition, we can support you by making adjustments to activities in your course so that you can participate fully in your studies. The University considers the wellbeing and safety of all students, staff and the community to be a priority in academic and professional experience placement settings. View inherent requirements <div
Career & Study Pathways
class="m-0 section-title__container anchorname" id="career"> Career Upon completion of this graduate diploma, you will be qualified to teach in early childhood education settings in most states in Australia and overseas. The market for early childhood teachers is forecast to remain strong over the coming years. Jobs and Skills Australia projects that work opportunities for early childhood teachers are set to increase by 5.6% to 2028. If you are interested in teaching outside of Victoria or overseas, registration will be subject to the criteria of the relevant state or overseas accrediting authorities and you are advised to seek information on what is required. Expand all sections Professional recognition and accreditation The Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education is accredited with the Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA). Graduates of accredited programs may apply for registration and work in Australian early childhood education and care settings with children aged birth to five years. Graduates are also eligible to apply for registration as an early childhood teacher with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT). <div
Quality & Recognition
Academic Regulator
TEQSA
Professional Body
Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) / AITSL
Accreditation Status
AccreditedSkills Assessor
AITSL / ACECQA
Common Questions
If you have completed any of your initial teacher education or early childhood program studies outside of Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada or the Republic of Ireland, you are required to complete an approved English language competency test before applying for teacher registration with the VIT.
The VIT accepts two tests: the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic Module, requiring minimum scores of Speaking 8.0, Listening 8.0, Reading 7.0, and Writing 7.0; and the International Second Language Proficiency Rating (ISLPR) Professional/Teacher Registration Module, requiring Level 4 in all four skill areas at an approved, teaching-focused testing site.
English language test results are valid for two (2) years from the date listed on the certificate issued by the accredited testing centre.
Yes, the VIT accepts IELTS One Skill Retake results, which allow applicants to retake any one component of the test without retaking the full test. However, this option is only available if you book the component within 60 days of undertaking the initial test and your delivery format was 'IELTS on a computer'.
This qualification is designed to lead to teacher registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) for working in an early childhood service setting, as opposed to a school setting.
Application
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