Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education

Course Overview

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) is an academic, practice-based profession that promotes healthy early childhood development. ECEC strengthens families and communities by enhancing children’s cognitive and social-emotional skills while supporting the workforce participation of parents and caregivers.

The Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education is a one-year course designed to equip you with a thorough understanding of early childhood development, pedagogy, curriculum, and the ethical and legislative requirements of the profession. You will also develop critical thinking, reflective practice, and continuous professional development skills.

You will be introduced to the profession of early childhood teaching through an integrated curriculum that combines direct practice with theory, leadership, and advocacy, within a contemporary, play-based, and holistic approach. Field education placements will provide opportunities for experiential learning, allowing you to apply and develop theoretical knowledge across various early childhood teaching settings. Classroom activities, online tasks, and field practicums will help you connect theory to practice and apply your learning effectively.

As an AE student based in the heart of Australia’s most vibrant cities, you join a diverse and friendly community of practice. You will benefit from plenty of opportunities to make lifelong friends, network, and grow as a global professional.

Course Structure

The Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education is conducted over three trimesters, with units taught concurrently within each trimester and dedicated time to complete your placement. The course is designed to be completed within one year of full-time study. You will need to complete two separate field education placements at an approved early childhood service, totalling 60 days of supervised professional experience.

To qualify for the Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education, you are required to complete 8 units (48 credit points) as outlined below.

In Blended delivery mode, you attend some face-to-face classes on campus (70% of all the course) and 30% of the classes are flexible online units. You can expect to attend face-to-face classes on campus for about 6 hours a week, and complete about 6 hours of online activities per week in your flexible online units. Plus, you will be expected to complete about 7 hours a week of personal study time (doing readings and working on your learning).

In Online delivery is where you stay home but attend live online classes using Microsoft Teams and also do some units that are flexible online units. So, you and your classmates are together in a virtual classroom learning together at the same time. You will also be able to complete some online learning activities in your own time.

IMPORTANT: Regardless of whether you choose the blended or online option – you will need to complete 60 days of face-to-face placement as part of the course.

Course Sequence

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

Pre-requisites

Co-requisites

Units of Study

Theory and Practice

• ECEC100 Foundations of Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC)

• ECEC101 Child Development (birth -5)

• ECEC200 Play in the Early Years

• ECEC300 Policy, Pedagogy and Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers (birth -2)

• ECEC301 Curriculum Studies in Early Childhood Education & Care (STREAM)

Field Education

• PRFX201 Professional Experience I

• PRFX401 Professional Experience II

Management and Leadership

• ECEC400 The Early Childhood Professional

The course is structured to maximize your opportunities to become work-ready and secure employment in an Australian early childhood education centre during your studies. You will complete two 30-day placements in Trimester 2 and 3.

Professional Experience I: 30 days with preschoolers (3 to 5 years old)

Professional Experience II: 30 days with infants and toddlers (6 weeks to 2 years)

AE will organise placements for all students at early childhood centres. If you prefer to arrange your own placement, please let us know as soon as possible by emailing placement@ae.edu.au.

Academic Requirements

To be admitted to the Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education, you must have an Australian bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline.

English Requirements

If you have obtained a bachelor’s degree (AQF 7) or equivalent from a country other than Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, or the Republic of Ireland, you must meet one of the following minimum English language requirements:

• An overall IELTS score of 6.5 with no band score below 6.5, or

• equivalent AE English placement test

Please visit our website for the Admissions Policy for Overseas Students and Admissions Procedure for Overseas students (Higher Education and VET).

Other requirements to be completed prior to commencing field education placements are:

• National Police Record Check

• Working with Children Check

• Immunisations*

• Protecting Children Training: Mandatory Recording and Other Obligations

*It is recommended to be vaccinated against Influenza, MMR - Mumps, Measles and Rubella, Pertussis (dTpa) and Varicella.

Students are encouraged to apply for recognition of prior learning (RPL) – also known as exemptions – for studies completed at another higher education provider, as well as time you may have spent working in the relevant industry. Your eligibility and quantity of exemptions will be determined by a number of factors such as the similarity of your prior completed studies with your Acknowledge Education course, and the equivalence of your prior studies and/or experience with the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

Approved exemptions for previous study or work experience may reduce the overall cost and study load (duration) of your course.

For further information, including the maximum amount of exemptions permitted for your course, please refer to Acknowledge Education’s Recognition of Prior Learning Policy.

How do I apply for recognition of prior learning

Individuals must complete a Recognition of Prior Learning application form , and once complete, submit the completed form and all supporting evidence to Acknowledge Education. While applications for RPL can be accepted at any time, you must continue to attend classes until your application has been assessed and exemptions have been either granted or denied.

Evidence requirements

The evidence that you’re required to submit to support your application include (where relevant), and must be translated into English where relevant:

• Copies of subject outlines, translated into English where applicable (information must include; learning outcomes, weekly structure, topic list, assessment details, contact hours/student workload).

• Certified English translation of your qualification and academic transcript.

• Recent CV/resume and work references.

Please note your application won’t be assessed if the required evidence hasn’t been included.

How will my application be assessed?

Acknowledge Education will undertake an academic review of your RPL application based on your supporting evidence and may contact you if further details are required to review your application, which may result in a delay in the assessment of your application.

If your RPL application is approved, exemptions may be granted for the relevant subjects. If your application for RPL is declined, you’ll need to enrol into, and complete, the relevant subjects in order to complete your course.

Can I appeal a RPL decision made by Acknowledge Education?

You may appeal the outcome of a decision made by Acknowledge Education in accordance with the Complaints and Appeals Policy published on our website.

This course is accredited by Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA).

Graduates may apply for registration and work in Australian early childhood education and care settings with children from birth to age five. Graduates are also eligible to apply for registration as an early childhood teacher with their state teacher regulatory authorities.

Occupational titles for you with this qualification may include:

• Early Childhood (Pre-Primary School) Teacher

• Qualified Educator

• Educational Leader

• Service Director

• Area Manager

• Inclusion Support Worker

• Inclusion Support Manager

• Out of School Hours Educator

• Out of School Hours Coordinator

View all dates here.

Thinking about studying Early Childhood Education?

We get it – life is busy, and your study needs to fit around your life and everything you have going on.  That’s why we offer flexible study options for the Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education (GDECE).  Whether you are looking to attend classes on our campuses or learn online – we’ve got you covered. 

Here are some quick answers to our most commonly asked questions to help you decide which option is best for you. If your questions aren’t answered below, please contact us.

Q. What are my study options? 

You can choose from two ways to study the GDECE course: 

• Blended Delivery – Great if you want a mix of online delivery and coming to face-to-face classes on campus.   CoE can be issued for this option.  

• Online Delivery – Perfect if you are looking for the flexibility of studying the course content online in Australia.   CoE cannot be issued for this option.  
  

IMPORTANT: Regardless of whether you choose the blended or online option – you will need to complete 60 days of face-to-face placement as part of the course.

Q.  What is the difference between Blended and Online delivery modes

Both options let you study 2-3 units each trimester and require you to attend placements in person in early childhood education settings.

Blended Delivery means you attend some face-to-face classes on campus (70% of all the course) and 30% of the classes are flexible online units. You can expect to attend face-to-face classes on campus for about 6 hours a week, and complete about 6 hours of online activities per week in your flexible online units.  Plus, you will be expected to complete about 7 hours a week of personal study time (doing readings and working on your learning). 

Online Delivery is where you stay home but attend live online classes using Microsoft TEAMS and also do some units that are flexible online units.  So, you and your classmates are together in a virtual classroom learning together at the same time.  You will also be able to complete some online learning activities in your own time.

Q. What are flexible online units? 

We sometimes call these “asynchronous” units—but don’t worry about the fancy word! It just means: 

• No live classes 

• You learn in your own time each week (with clear assessment deadlines!) 

• You’ll watch videos, read materials, do weekly forum discussions, and complete tasks on Moodle (our online learning platform)

Q. What’s it like to study in Online delivery mode? 

You’ll learn through a mix of:

• Live online classes once a week where you meet up with your classmates online in Microsoft TEAMS from the comfort of your own home. 

• Recorded classes if you can’t make it live

• One flexible online unit per trimester where you learn in your own time each week (with clear assessment deadlines!)

• Weekly online support to help you complete assessments 

• Online mandatory placement preparation sessions (3 x trimester in the evening) 

Regardless of whether you choose the blended or online option – you will need to complete 60 days of face-to-face placement as part of the course.

Q. What about face-face-face classes in Blended delivery mode?

You’ll come to AE for face-to-face classes each week and do one flexible online unit each trimester. It’s a great way to meet classmates in person while still having some flexibility. 

Q. What about Placement?

No matter which delivery mode you choose — Blended or Online — placement is compulsory. To become a qualified Early Childhood Teacher, you must complete 60 days of face-to-face placement in quality early childhood education settings.

This is your opportunity to put your learning into practice and gain valuable, real-world experience in the field!

Q. Will AE organise my placement?

AE will organise placements for all students at early childhood centres. If you prefer to arrange your own placement, please let us know as soon as possible by emailing placement@ae.edu.au.

Q. What do I need to study online?

Here’s your tech checklist:

• A laptop or desktop (a phone isn’t enough)

• Reliable internet

• Ms Office including Ms Teams (don’t worry—we’ll give it to you for free!)

Q. What is Moodle?   Is it different to Student Portal? 

Moodle is Learning Management System (LMS) that facilities online learning and teaching. 

Your LMS account is active after 2 working days you complete registration.  

It is the main site for you to access course materials, unit outlines, submit assignments and participate in discussions. 

Student Portal is different to Moodle.   

It is your first stop for accessing your academic records, timetable, attendance, course/unit enrolment, financial information and to update your personal details.  

Your student portal is also active after 2 working days you complete registration.   

Students will receive an email from our Student Services Team when those accounts are ready for access with instruction.

Q. How are assessments submitted?  

All assessments are submitted online via Moodle, through Turnitin. Assessment guides (Success Guides) are provided in each unit to help you succeed.

Q. How are courses assessed?

Units are assessed through a variety of academic and practical, hands-on tasks designed to prepare students for real-life work as Early Childhood (Pre-Primary) Teachers. Assessments focus on developing creative and reflective practices, such as designing learning experiences, creating resources, observing children’s development, and planning engaging environments. These tasks are closely aligned with what teachers do in early childhood settings, helping students build confidence and capability in a meaningful, applied way.

Q. What is an international student?

An international student is a person who is not Australian citizen, a New Zealand citizen, a Pacific Engagement visa holder or the holder of a permanent resident/humanitarian visa.

This course is available to international students for study either on campus or through online study as follows:

• Students coming to Australia will require a student visa or another type of visa which does not preclude them from studying in Australia.

• Students in Australia on a student visa may not complete more than 30% of the course through online study.

• Students in Australia and not on a student visa may undertake more than 30% of the program via online study.

• Students outside of Australia will not be able to enrol in any course that requires the completion of work integrated learning or placement units.