Graduate Diploma of Education (Early Childhood)

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. Our course covers key areas of early childhood education and care, theory, principles, and practices that best support children's learning and development. 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), with 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. The Graduate Diploma of Education (Early Childhood) offers a direct pathway to the Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) , facilitating advanced education opportunities*. This 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.

• Graduate Diploma of Education (Early Childhood) students who entered the course via a diploma-experience pathway are ineligible to progress to a Master of Teaching (Early Childhood). Those students are advised to consider a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education pathway. "I feel fortunate to be their teacher. They are at an age when their personalities are really emerging. They have such humour and curiosity. You can have a joke with them, yet at the same time they are serious about wanting to learn. They are respectful too. We respect each other." Jack Fiedler Education graduate and primary school teacher Default --> "Southern Cross really went beyond my expectations, with unit coordinators who were easily accessible, flexible and helpful while maintaining strict standards within the units." Dulari Gonawala Teacher Mentor, Goodstart Early Learning Understanding the Southern Cross Model The Southern Cross Model is a game-changer in higher education study. Our students now engage in shorter, six-week unit structures designed around immersive and interactive learning experiences. The shorter unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum as they achieve milestones quickly, resulting in increased student success rates, and course and teacher satisfaction. Lectures are a thing of the past - students will be engaged in active, interactive and discussion-based learning. On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes. Our online study option is highly interactive and may include a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes. The method of teaching and assessment may vary from unit to unit. Learn more Learning outcomes and graduate attributes Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes (GA). Course Learning Outcome GA1: Intellectual rigour Exercise critical analysis, problem solving, and decision making in Early Childhood educational based practice Demonstrate application of advanced knowledge and current research in relation to Early Childhood education practice GA2: Creativity Demonstrate cognitive, technical, and creative skills to investigate, analyse, and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts, and theories GA3: Ethical practice Demonstrate a knowledge of social responsibility, ethics and legal principles consistent with what is expected of an Early Childhood professional working in a learning community with all stakeholders Demonstrate an awareness of the need for student safety and support within professional frameworks Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to legislative requirements and codes of conduct relevant to the education profession GA4: Knowledge of a discipline Demonstrate advanced integrated knowledge and understanding of Early Childhood teaching and relevant curriculum framework Demonstrate an evidence based understanding and knowledge of the pedagogy for effective Early Childhood educational practice GA5: Lifelong learning Demonstrate a commitment to personal and professional development through self-directed learning and reflective practice GA6: Communication and social skills Demonstrate an advanced ability to communicate and interpret evidence based research which inform professional decision making Demonstrate teamwork and leadership skills applicable in professional educational settings GA7: Cultural competence Apply and integrate an understanding of social, indigenous and cultural diversity, and respect for the identity of all persons, in local and international contexts Identify and apply proactive and inclusive strategies to encourage and support student engagement and behaviour including diverse groups of learners such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, migrants and students from non- English speaking backgrounds Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of inclusion and diverse learning needs Demonstrate an understanding of and respect for diversity in others and self Placements, work experience and study hours Students undertake 60 days (480 hours) of professional placement during this course in two environments - a preschool setting for children aged 3-5 years and an infant and toddler setting. Students are responsible for travel to attend placements, which may not always be within their local area. Students, particularly those in metropolitan areas, are strongly encouraged to consider undertaking a placement in rural and remote regions. Placements are scheduled for specific time periods and have staggered start dates, which means that not all students begin their placements simultaneously. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, including Working with Children Check, as detailed on the Faculty of Education Professional Experience Requirements page , must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. Preparatory coursework components must be completed prior to the commencement of placement. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated. Specialisations, majors and minors The major areas of study include theories of learning and development, principles and practices of early childhood education and care, key issues in the early childhood education and care field including social justice, diversity and equity, working with families, investigating different early childhood educational models around the world and applying knowledge, skills and capabilities in professional experience. Note : International EAP 2 students can progress to a Graduate Diploma in Education (Early Childhood) with an equivalent of IELTS 6.5 Availability Availability and fees Location Teaching period Gold Coast Term 1, Term 3, Term 5 Online Term 1, Term 3, Term 5 Location Teaching period Annual Fees CRICOS Brisbane Term 1, Term 3, Term 5 $26,000 ($3,250 per unit) 102984F Gold Coast Term 1, Term 3, Term 5 $26,000 ($3,250 per unit) 102984F Melbourne Term 1, Term 3, Term 5 $26,000 ($3,250 per unit) 102984F Perth Term 1, Term 3, Term 5 $26,000 ($3,250 per unit) 115298K Sydney Term 1, Term 3, Term 5 $26,000 ($3,250 per unit) 102984F Tuition fees are in Australian dollars, and are subject to change, including annual increases over the duration of a course. Annual tuition fee is based on completing 8 units per year. In addition students are required to pay OSHC for the duration of their visa in advance. Non-tuition fee covers textbooks, stationery and excursions.