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Upskill your current industry experience or launch into one of the most rewarding careers as an Early Childhood Teacher.
To apply applicants must have completed the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care. This course is not available to international students.
100% Online*
Learning Mode
Postgraduate
Qualification
12 months full-time
Duration
Jan, Apr, Jul, Oct
Start Date
4
Units
$6,420*
Fee Per Unit
‘I truly believe the more people who complete this course, then the more qualified workers there will be to help close the skills gap. It’s a game changer to complete a graduate diploma in 12 months while completing majority of your practicum in your own workplace. And it’s hyper tailored to early childhood, so all the learning is incredibly relevant.’
Marissa, Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Teaching alumni
As a Kindergarten Teacher, you’ll have a strong future ahead of you, with a 21.6% increase expected in the next five years.
Our postgraduate education courses have been awarded a five-star rating for overall experience, skills development, student support and teaching quality.
Our postgraduate education courses have been awarded a five-star rating for overall experience, skills development, student support and teaching quality.
The Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Teaching is a one-year postgraduate qualification which will provide you the pathway to become a qualified teacher with an expert understanding in educational theory and pedagogical practices to make a difference to children’s lives and your early childhood employer services.
The demand for early childhood teachers and job roles are predicted to rise strongly from 47,900 to 56,200 by 2025. With strong employability prospects and a growing demand for early childhood teachers, there has never been a better time to elevate or discover your passion in childhood education.
This innovative and accelerated early childhood teacher qualification helps overcome the typical barriers to undertaking an early childhood teaching qualification through a workplace-based internship model with alternative setting experience. For every unit you undertake, you will arrange a classroom placement, and have real-world opportunities to teach literacy, numeracy, creative arts and sciences while addressing the specific learning needs of children within early childhood services.
The Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Teaching is professionally accredited with ACECQA and Graduates are eligible to apply for registration as an early childhood teacher with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT). Please check with your state’s early childhood teacher registration body for reciprocal arrangements which exist in other states/territories.
This is not offered to students residing in South Australia (SA) due to AITSL accreditation requirements.
Please note, you must be a citizen or a permanent resident of Australia to study this course.
Fill in your details to receive detailed information regarding:
Career and industry pathways
Course information
How online study works
Information about course fees and how to apply
Studying at Swinburne Online gives you the freedom to study how it suits you. Decide when and where it fits in with your life and tailor your study journey to your own needs. Get a world-class degree without giving up what’s important.
Flexible study at Swinburne Online
Start when it suits. Swinburne Online offers multiple intake dates and flexible unit availability, so you can choose when you begin your studies or if you need to take a break.
Flexible study requires flexible support. As a Swinburne Online student, you’ll have support for extended hours, seven days a week, with Student Advisors available to help with any queries. You will also have dedicated online tutors in each of your units.
The Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Teaching consists of four double credit point units and runs over one year.
Your units will arm you with knowledge in a range of areas, such as effective curriculum planning, child development, contemporary teaching practices, play based learning, sustainability and wellbeing practices in early childhood teaching environments.
You will also put theory into practice with professional experience embedded within each unit of study via a workplace-based internship model. Already working as an educator? You may elect to complete your first placement at your current workplace.
Why study a degree in education with Swinburne Online? Our courses are at the forefront of industry and provide you with the practical skills to success come graduation. View all units in this graduate diploma.
View All UnitsYour study journey with Swinburne Online is tailored to the digital space. You’ll study in a dynamic virtual classroom environment and interact with your peers in the custom-built social platform. You will also receive support at the times you need it from advisors who understand studying online.
You’ll complete each of your units in Canvas, your online classroom, and guided through coursework by an online tutor with real-world experience in your field of study. Canvas is where you’ll access classes, assignments and discussion boards with your peers.
The Student Hub is your online campus, where you’ll access the support and resources to assist you throughout your study journey. From managing your course to technical support and library resources, you’ll find it all in one easy location.
Swinburne Online will be there for you each step of the way. From enrolment through to graduation, we offer extended, flexible support in each of your units and advisors to assist with any queries.
Students must have successfully completed an Australian Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (or recognised ungraded equivalent), and a minimum of five years relevant work experience (undertaken within the last seven years) in an early childhood education setting with related leadership responsibilities.
All enrolled students must maintain a current Working with Children Check from the appropriate State Authority.
A Police Check may also be required by a school prior to a placement.
The estimated fee per unit for this course is $6,420*. There are 4 units in the Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Teaching, each unit is worth 12.5 credit points.
*Unit fees are subject to change annually.
Commonwealth provided loans are available to assist eligible students to pay their course fees and there are a range of university, government and privately funded scholarships and prizes.
Discover more information about HELP loans.
Course fees may change without notice and will be affected by a student’s unit selection and any credit awarded in recognition of previous academic experience.
This course is not available to international students.
Domestic students also contribute to student services and amenities via an annual fee.
The Fraser Foundation offers scholarships to help all students achieve their full potential in the field of Early Childhood Education. They are awarded to people from all backgrounds and study areas and are not just for high academic achievers.
In order to be eligible for a scholarship with The Fraser Foundation you must (include but not limited to):
Find out more and apply by visiting the Fraser Foundation Scholarship website.
The Victorian Government is now offering scholarships to encourage early childhood teachers throughout the state through the Early Childhood Scholarship Program. Students applying for an approved qualification may be eligible to receive up to $12,000 towards an early childhood graduate diploma. Find out more through the Early Childhood Scholarships Program Guidelines, and apply by visiting the Victorian Government website.
Our education graduates all undertake professional experience via a workplace-based internship model specifically designed to educate children up to five years of age. Every unit you undertake will have a practical placement component, and if you are already working as an educator, you may choose to complete your first placement at your current workplace.
As an existing early childhood educator, this course will help you move into a teaching role or a more senior role, which could see you developing curriculum, policies and procedures.
Teach the basics of numeracy, literacy, music, and art to early childhood students.
Guide young children in the acquisition of fundamental literacy and numeracy skills, effectively preparing them for a successful transition to primary school.
Develop the curriculum, set policies and oversee daily operations of an early childhood centre.
Swinburne’s Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Teaching is accredited by the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA). The ACECQA works with all governments to provide guidance, resources and services to support the sector to improve outcomes for children.
Testimonial
‘The Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Teaching will not only support educators in completing their qualifications but also get formal recognition for their hard work and dedication to the Early Childhood sector. This course has been developed in conjunction with Early Childhood leaders and feedback from the early childhood sector. Swinburne Online is at the forefront of change in building the workforce capacity in the Early Childhood Sector.’
Mandy
Training Operations Manager with College for Australian Early Childhood Educators
