Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education

VU course code: | Level of study:

Fees

Fee type for this course: Full fee

Location

Applications closed

Overview

Launch a rewarding and in-demand pre-school teaching career, with VU's one-year Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education.

Our graduate diploma allows graduates of degree programs to become early-childhood teachers. With the current 3-year-old kindergarten expansion in Victoria, this course places you in an excellent position to apply for work as a kinder teacher.

If you're a domestic student, you can study this course online.

This course is tailored to applicants with an undergraduate qualification in a discipline other than early childhood. If you hold an early childhood teaching degree and you're looking to advance your career, we recommend upskilling to a four year degree by applying for the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Leadership.

You'll study units focused on children from birth to five years, learning how teaching practice can include children and families as capable participants in education.

You'll also gain hands-on work experience in a range of settings, including childcare and kindergartens, graduating with expertise in early-childhood learning built on a strong sense of social justice.

Gain insight into the early years by studying these fascinating areas:

child development
teaching practice that includes Aboriginal perspectives
education and curriculum studies focused on childhood and relationships
family and community contexts
advocacy and activism in early-childhood settings
history and philosophy of early childhood
ethical early-childhood professional practice.

This course is ACECQA accredited and is recognised by the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) for teaching registration in Victoria, by the Education Standards Authority (NESA) in New South Wales and by the Queensland College of Teachers in Queensland.

: You'll complete 60 days of supervised professional experience, including:
15 days with children aged birth – 35 months
15 days with 3–5 year olds
5 days community playspace, with children aged birth – 8 years
25 days in a 3–4-year-old, or 4–5-year-old, kindergarten program (preschool).
We have many exciting projects, partnerships and initiatives to help you learn from experience working with young children. VU will find you a placement, or you can also organise your own placement, if this is your preference.
: This course has been approved by Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), which oversees national quality frameworks in early-childhood education.
This means that you'll graduate with the latest early-childhood teaching methods and knowledge.
Potential students outside Victoria should check the early childhood teacher registration requirements with the teacher registration body in their own state.

Entry requirements

When assessing your application, we consider your educational achievements and work experience, as well as your skills and personal attributes (where relevant).

Applicants for this course will need to meet the entry criteria outlined below. If you don’t meet the entry criteria, you may be able to gain entry by first completing a related course or unit(s). We call this a ‘pathway’.

You may also be eligible for course ‘credits’, where you are granted a unit or units towards your qualification for equivalent previous study or work experience, so you can graduate sooner.

Entry criteria

Credit & Entry pathways into this course

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency. Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Course structure

Course delivery plan

You are required to study these units in a specific order. Please view the course delivery plan relevant to your intake.

Find your course delivery plan

Fees & scholarships

Fees

Scholarships

Early Childhood Scholarships & Incentives Program

Careers

Childcare job openings are expecting massive growth (ACECQA).

Thanks to the essential experience you’ll get from teaching early-childhood settings during your placement, you’ll be work-ready when you graduate.

With an ACECQA approved early-childhood teacher qualification, our graduates can find employment in:

public or private kindergartens (preschool)
long-day-care centres
early-childhood centres.

Interstate applicants should check with their state’s relevant teaching registration board or authority to see if there are additional requirements to work as an early-childhood teacher in their state.