The Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care is an initial teacher education course that will prepare you to demonstrate the requirements to work as a teacher with children of preschool age or under in centre-based services.
The Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care is an approved course with the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) for employment purposes as an early childhood teacher in childcare/early learning centres, preschools and kindergartens within Australia.
In addition to building the professional knowledge and skills required to teach, the course is designed to foster dispositions for engaging in and contributing to the teaching profession through a commitment to ongoing professional learning.
Course design enables completion in 2 terms. A part-time pathway is also available and is to be completed as a minimum of two units per term as per the part-time course structure provided.
The course is structured to include work-integrated learning in each term of study.
The Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care is an initial postgraduate pre-service teacher education course for those who aim to pursue a career as an early childhood teacher. Graduates are qualified to teach in birth to prior to school contexts. This course does not enable graduates to teach in the compulsory years of schooling in Australia.
In states that register teachers who work in prior to school settings graduates of this course can apply for registration with the relevant state or territory. This includes NSW, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia. (https://www.acecqa.gov.au/qualifications/early-childhood-teacher-registration-and-accreditation)
Graduates of this course have developed significant skills that enhance employment opportunities in other sectors. In combination with work experience and personal qualities, graduates may pursue employment in a variety of career paths including:
Duration | 1 years full-time or 2 years part-time |
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Credit Points that Must be Earned | 48 |
Number of Units Required | CQUniversity uses the concept of credits to express the amount of study required for a particular course and individual units. The number of units varies between courses. Units in postgraduate courses normally consist of 6 points of credit or multiples thereof (e.g. 12, 18, 24). |
Expected Hours of Study | One point of credit is equivalent to an expectation of approximately two hours of student work per week in a term. |
Course Type | Postgraduate Award |
Qualification (post nominal) | GradDipECEC |
AQF Level | Level 8: Graduate Diploma |
Domestic Students Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes |
Not Applicable |
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International Students CRICOS Codes |
Not Applicable |
To be considered for entry into this course, you must demonstrate the following:
Employment experience must be shown in a statement of service, which is presented on a company letterhead, signed, and dated by a delegated authority from within the organisation (e.g. line supervisor or human resource officer). The statement must contain your full name, position title, duties performed, employment start date (mm/yyyy) and end date (mm/yyyy), or stating you are still employed, if applicable.
English Language Proficiency Requirements
If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa or the United States of America, you are required to meet the English language proficiency requirements set by the University. You are required to provide documentation confirming completion of:
These qualifications must be completed within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland or the United States of America to meet the English language proficiency requirements.
If you do not satisfy any of the above, you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores:
English test results remain valid for no more than two years between final examination date and the date of commencement of study, and must appear on a single result certificate.
If you are an international student, please visit the English requirements for international students page for further information.
Each application will be assessed individually.
N/A
Interim Awards | Not applicable |
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Exit Awards | Not applicable |
Accreditation |
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No Residential School for this course.
EDEC28004 - 15 day placement with children birth to 24 months |
EDEC28005 - 15 day placement with children 3 - 4 years |
EDEC28008 - 30 day placement with children 4 - 5 years |
Year | Number of Students |
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First Year | 80 |
Second year | 80 |
Third Year | 80 |
Please note that in some instances there may be similarities between course, entry and inherent requirements.
If you experience difficulties meeting these requirements, reasonable adjustments may be made upon contacting accessibility@cqu.edu.au. Adjustment must not compromise the academic integrity of the degree or course chosen at CQUniversity or the legal requirements of field education.
An Early Childhood Teacher is a degree qualified professional who works in early childhood education and care settings to support the development of pre-school aged children and deliver educational programs based on the Early Years Learning Framework.
Early Childhood Teachers’ focus is holistic – integrating all dimensions of children’s learning including physical, personal, social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing and cognitive aspects of learning.
Early Childhood Teachers are committed to practice that support children’s learning in partnership with children and their families.
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Students must meet the inherent requirements for teaching and must ensure they adhere to any requirements within the scope of teaching across the curriculum learning areas.
Vaccination Advice
To be eligible to complete placements in early childhood settings, pre-service teachers may be required to show proof of immunisation against measles, mumps and rubella and influenza. In addition, some states and territories are requiring vaccination against COVID-19 for all school staff. Please be aware that these regulations would apply to preservice teachers. Regulations may be introduced in your state prior to, or at the time of, your scheduled placement/s and you must adhere to these requirements.
Effective 25 September 2023, updates have been made to the COVID-19 vaccination mandate for Queensland Health sites and the Queensland Ambulance Service. While Queensland Health does not currently mandate evidence of COVID-19 vaccination, it's essential to recognise that other organisations may enforce their own vaccination specific criteria. This situation is similar across other states and territories.
Students must be in possession of a current Positive Notice Blue Card (or equivalent “Working with Children” check issued in other Australian states or territories) to be eligible for placement in a school site.
Course Learning Outcomes | |||||||
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Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
1. KNOWLEDGE Have advanced knowledge within a systematic and coherent body of knowledge that may include the acquisition and application of knowledge and skills in a new or existing discipline or professional area | |||||||
2. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge and identify and provide solutions to complex problems | |||||||
3. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to think critically and to generate and evaluate complex ideas | |||||||
4. SKILLS Have specialised technical and creative skills in a field of highly skilled and/or professional practice | |||||||
5. SKILLS Have communication skills to demonstrate an understanding of theoretical concept | |||||||
6. SKILLS Have communication skills to transfer complex knowledge and ideas to a variety of audiences | |||||||
7. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to make high level, independent judgements in a range of technical or management functions in varied specialised contexts | |||||||
8. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to initiate, plan, implement and evaluate broad functions within varied specialised technical and/or creative contexts | |||||||
9. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILL Be responsible and accountable for personal outputs and all aspects of the work or function of others within broad parameters |
Number of units: 8 | Total credit points: 48 |
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Students must complete all 8 units
Year 1 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
EDEC28006 | Examining the Early Childhood Education and Care Context | |
EDEC28007 | Play, Purpose, and Pedagogy | |
EDEC28004 | Working with Infants and Toddlers | |
EDEC28005 | Early Language, Literacy and the Creative Arts |
Year 1 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
EDEC28001 | Responding to Difference: Children, Families and Communities | |
EDEC28003 | Curious Learners: Exploring STEM and Sustainability | |
EDEC28008 | Creating a Supportive Learning Environment | |
EDEC29003 | Leadership in the Contemporary Early Childhood Policy Landscape |