Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education

Program Overview

The Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education equips students with the knowledge and skills to work in diverse early childhood settings. The program emphasizes creating safe and inclusive learning environments, practicing social justice, and developing numeracy and literacy skills in young learners. Graduates are prepared for meaningful careers as early childhood educators, with a strong focus on practical experience and a high employment rate.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Overview: The Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education equips students with the knowledge and skills to work across diverse early childhood settings.
• Objectives:
• Help young children learn important concepts like empathy and self-confidence
• Prepare students for meaningful careers as early childhood educators
• Program Description:
• Students learn to create safe and inclusive learning environments
• They practice social justice, diversity, and equity
• They develop numeracy and literacy skills in young learners
• They support arts and STEM creativity in children's lives
• They become leaders for educational change

Outline:

• Content: The program covers topics such as:
• Bioecological Perspectives of Child Development in the Early Years
• Positioning Early Childhood Education and Care: the History and Philosophy
• Pedagogical Understandings of Teaching and Learning in the Early Childhood Contexts
• Children's Ecological Positioning: Seeing Children in Family and Community Contexts
• Integrative Curriculum Concepts in Play-Based Contexts: Language and Literacy
• Integrative Curriculum Concepts in Play-Based Contexts: Creative Arts
• Integrative Curriculum Concepts in Play-Based Contexts: Mathematics and Science
• Teacher as Leader
• Structure: The program consists of 8 core units (8 credit points).
• Course Schedule: Courses are offered in both Trimester 1 and Trimester 3.
• Individual Modules:
• Bioecological Perspectives of Child Development in the Early Years:
This module explores the complex interplay of biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors that influence children's development in the early years.
• Positioning Early Childhood Education and Care: the History and Philosophy: This module examines the historical and philosophical foundations of early childhood education and care, exploring the key ideas and influences that have shaped the field.
• Pedagogical Understandings of Teaching and Learning in the Early Childhood Contexts: This module provides an overview of the key pedagogical approaches used in early childhood education and care, including play-based learning, inquiry-based learning, and social constructivism.
• Children's Ecological Positioning: Seeing Children in Family and Community Contexts: This module examines the importance of understanding children's development within the context of their families, communities, and cultures.
• Integrative Curriculum Concepts in Play-Based Contexts: Language and Literacy: This module explores the role of play in supporting children's language and literacy development, including the use of storytelling, dramatic play, and other play-based activities.
• Integrative Curriculum Concepts in Play-Based Contexts: Creative Arts: This module explores the role of play in supporting children's creative and artistic development, including the use of music, dance, drama, and visual arts.
• Integrative Curriculum Concepts in Play-Based Contexts: Mathematics and Science: This module explores the role of play in supporting children's mathematical and scientific development, including the use of games, experiments, and other play-based activities.
• Teacher as Leader: This module prepares students for the role of the teacher as a leader in early childhood education and care, including the development of leadership skills, the ability to collaborate with others, and the ability to advocate for children's rights.

Assessment:

• Assessment Methods: The program uses a variety of assessment methods including:
• Written assignments
• Presentations
• Practical tasks
• Reflective journals
• Portfolios
• Assessment Criteria: The program uses a range of assessment criteria to evaluate students' work, including:
• Knowledge and understanding
• Critical thinking
• Problem-solving
• Communication skills
• Professionalism

Teaching:

• Teaching Methods: The program uses a variety of teaching methods including:
• Lectures
• Tutorials
• Workshops
• Practical experiences
• Online learning
• Faculty: The program is taught by a team of experienced and qualified early childhood educators.
• Unique Approaches: The program includes a strong focus on practical experience, with students completing over 60 days of professional experience placements in early childhood settings.

Careers:

• Career Paths: Graduates of the program may pursue a variety of careers in the early childhood education and care field, including:
• Early childhood teachers
• Early childhood educators
• Family daycare educators
• Nanny
• Opportunities: The program provides graduates with the knowledge and skills to work in a variety of early childhood settings, including:
• Childcare centers
• Preschools
• Kindergartens
• Family daycare homes
• Special needs programs
• Outcomes: Graduates of the program are in high demand, with 96% of graduates securing roles in the early childhood education profession.