Updating Results

Early Childhood Education Courses

Find the best Early Childhood Education Courses

Masters (Coursework)

Parkville
* Become a highly effective early childhood and primary teacher * Unparalleled support during your studies and placements * Graduate extremely employable * Become eligible for registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching and the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority...
Duration
2 years full-time
Study Mode
In person
Graduate Satisfaction
86.00%

Graduate Certificate

Mount Lawley
Designed to meet the needs of practising primary teachers who wish to have a recognised qualification, as well as the skills and pedagogical understandings to teach in early childhood settings (Birth to Pre-Primary).
Entry Requirements

Admission requirements you'll need to meet for this course.

  • The following course-specific admission requirements are mandatory and must be satisfied by all applicants. These requirements are in addition to or supersede the minimum requirements outlined within the Academic admission requirements band section below.

    All applicants are required to have a three-year or four-year primary teaching qualification, such as a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Studies), Bachelor of Education (Primary), or a Graduate Diploma of Education (Primary), with equivalents considered.

    Academic admission requirements (Band 8) may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

    • Bachelor degree in a cognate discipline; or
    • Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience.
  • Students must attain an IELTS Academic with an average level of 7.0 or more, across the four components of listening, speaking, reading and writing; no score below level 7.0 in any of these components.

    Note:

    • If secondary education and degree studies were completed in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK or the USA, applicants do not need to provide proof of English competency.
    • Applicants who have completed their secondary education in South Africa in English and have an undergraduate degree taught in English from a South African University are deemed to have met English language requirements for entry to the Master of Teaching.
Duration
1 year part-time
Domestic Tuition Fees
$2,250 per year
Graduate Satisfaction
81.00%

Graduate Certificate

Fremantle
Are you an experienced teacher with a desire to teach and specialise in Early Childhood education? The University of Notre Dame Australia's Graduate Certificate in Education (Early Childhood) is the ideal qualification for you.
Entry Requirements

A student applying for the Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education should:

  • Hold the equivalent of a four year primary teaching qualification;
  • Hold a Teacher Registration; and
  • Have a minimum of three years' teaching experience
Duration
0.5 year full-time
Study Mode
Online, In person
Graduate Satisfaction
91.30%

Masters (Coursework)

Joondalup
Provides a nationally accredited initial teaching qualification for students who have already obtained a Bachelor degree or an equivalent qualification in areas other than Education.
Entry Requirements

Admission requirements you'll need to meet for this course.

  • The following course-specific admission requirements are mandatory and must be satisfied by all applicants. These requirements are in addition to or supersede the minimum requirements outlined within the Academic admission requirements band section below.

    All applicants are required to have a discipline-specific bachelor or equivalent qualification relevant to the Australian Curriculum or other recognised areas of school provision. Professional experience cannot be accepted as an alternative to completion of the bachelor degree. All applicants are required to satisfy non-academic criteria, in addition to satisfying academic entry criteria. Applicants' non-academic capabilities will be assessed based on completion of a Non-Academic Requirements for Teacher Entry (NARTE) online questionnaire.
    .

    Academic admission requirements (Band 6) may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

    • Bachelor degree; or
    • Equivalent prior learning including at least five years relevant professional experience.
  • International students must attain an IELTS Academic with an average level of 7.5 or more, across the four components of listening, speaking, reading and writing; no score below level 7.0 in any of these components; and a score of 8.0 or more in the components of speaking and listening. Internationally schooled applicants may also be required to meet this requirement.

    English competency requirements may also be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

    • Bachelor degree or master degree from Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK or the USA, or
    • Undergraduate degree taught in English from a South African University.
Duration
2 years full-time, 4 years part-time
Domestic Tuition Fees
$4,450 per year / $8,900 total
International Tuition Fees
$36,200 per year / $72,400 total
Graduate Satisfaction
81.00%

Masters (Coursework)

Parkville
* Become a highly-effective early childhood and primary teacher * Unparalleled support during your studies and placements
Duration
2 years full-time
Study Mode
In person

Masters (Coursework)

Parkville
* Become a highly-qualified early years teacher * Complete placement in a Victorian school * Receive ongoing support throughout studies and placement * Graduate extremely employable * Become eligible for full teacher registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT)
Duration
2 years full-time
Study Mode
In person
Graduate Satisfaction
86.00%

Masters (Coursework)

Fremantle
Are you a career-focused educator with practical experience and an interest in early childhood education?
Entry Requirements

A student applying for the Master of Education (Early Childhood) must have all of the following:

  • Hold the equivalent of a four year teaching qualification;
  • A GPA of at least 2.5 or higher; and
  • At least three years of full-time professional experience in primary or early childhood teaching.

English Language Test Scores

Education students who have English as an additional language and are admitted on the basis of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) assessment, or an equivalent English language proficiency assessment, are only admitted if they have attained an overall IELTS (or equivalent) score of 8.0 (with no score below 7 in any of the four skills areas and a score of no less than 8 in speaking and listening).

Duration
1 year full-time
Study Mode
Online, In person
Graduate Satisfaction
91.30%

Graduate Diploma

Hawthorn
The Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Teaching prepares you to follow your passions in nurturing children’s learning and development in their early years (birth to 5 years). As a pre-service teacher, you’ll learn how to create engaging and supportive learning environments.
Duration
1 year full-time
Study Mode
In person
Graduate Satisfaction
88.00%

Masters (Coursework)

Parkville
* Become a highly-qualified early years teacher * Complete placement in a Victorian school
Duration
2 years full-time, 3 years part-time
Study Mode
In person

Graduate Certificate

Bankstown
You love working with kids. You're passionate about helping them overcome language barriers. So, they can reach their unlimited potential.
Duration
0.5 year full-time, 1 year part-time
Study Mode
In person
Graduate Satisfaction
77.80%

Early Childhood Education Courses overview

Early childhood education takes place between birth and eight years of age. It’s a sensitive time when neuroplasticity and consequently a child’s ability to learn are at its peak, making it a crucial developmental period. Postgraduate study provides comprehensive insight into many facets of early childhood education, like analysing the familial context, introductory units in education, early language, fostering creativity, developing mathematical prowess and more.

Informal rearing of children through social networks like villages and towns has occurred across human history, but the formal study of it began in the nineteenth century when kindergartens came to be. These early institutions served primarily as daycare but became more focussed on early education as time progressed. The phenomenon of kindergartens slowly managed to spring up worldwide, followed by the field as a whole.

Modern early childhood educators practice state of the art teaching techniques guided by science-based understanding of child psychology and learning. It’s a field that helps children grow into the best people they can be.

Is early childhood education for me?

Early childhood education is for people with an abundance of compassion as well as patience. Children can be unpredictable and tiresome to the uninitiated, which is why such extensive education and passion are required. If you’re the sort of person who loves kids and is willing to work hard for their success, this field could well be for you.

Study pathway

Early childhood education can be studied up to master level, with graduate certificates and diplomas offering flexible and succinct study pathways.

Graduate certificates are entry-level qualifications open to holders of any bachelor degree, taking six months to complete if undergone full time. Courses offered by Macquarie University and similar institutions offer units in early childhood philosophy, early childhood development and potential electives in early childhood literacy and language, developing creativity and early intervention. This makes them ideal for those from other disciplines wishing to pivot to a career in early childhood education.

Graduate diplomas cover more extensive curriculums, with courses from institutions like Southern Cross University consisting of broad units in families and communities, early childhood matters, early childhood education practices and professional experience. These courses generally take a year of full time study to complete, but can be taken part time instead.

The Master of Early Childhood Education is for those desiring a comprehensive understanding, taking two years of full time study to complete. Institutions like the University of Melbourne offer units in educational leadership, becoming a clinical practitioner, clinical practice and more. These courses analyse the details of early childhood education, offering the chance to focus on infant and toddler development before learning about three to eight year olds.

Employment options

Family support worker

These professionals utilise their education to aid families in need with the raising and education of their children. Non-profits like Families Australia or MacKillop Family Services are always looking for graduates from these programs because their education is exactly suited to looking after children from struggling families and helping them grow into thriving individuals.

Childcare professional

Working in a childcare centre is a great use of early childhood education qualifications, as they equip graduates with the means to handle otherwise unruly children for long periods. Childcare centres all over Australia like Milford Lodge or the Little Beacons Learning Centre thrive through the employment of skilled, passionate and dedicated childcare professionals.

Youth worker

Graduates from these programs are well suited to youth work because they have the confidence and education to be strong role models. They can help young children from disadvantaged backgrounds beat the odds and succeed in life despite all the difficulties they might face at home. For many, youth work is as much a calling as it is a career.

Specialisations

Being able to teach young children has wider applications than just careers mentioned above. The following are just some of the other areas graduates can be of use in:

Advice for Early Childhood Education Courses


31+ Graduate Job Interview Questions + Ideal Answers

With our detailed list of 32 graduate job interview questions and their ideal answers, prepare confidently and stand out from the competition

When Do Graduate Jobs Start? Understanding Job Timelines

Gain insight into the industry-specific graduate job timelines with this comprehensive guide and secure your dream job with confidence.

15+ Benefits of an Internship in Jumpstarting your Career

Discover the benefits of an internship for jumpstarting your career and find out how they can give you a competitive edge in the job market.

Writing an Internship Email that Stands Out (+Examples)

Learn how to write an impressive internship email with our guide and access real-life examples that will help you land your dream internship.

9 Types of Internships: Identifying the Best Fit for You

Explore 9 different types of internships in our comprehensive guide and discover the best fit for your skills, interests, and goals.

Apprenticeship vs. Internship: A Comprehensive Comparison

Discover key differences between apprentice vs internships with our detailed comparison and learn which option best suits your career goals.

31+ Graduate Job Interview Questions + Ideal Answers

With our detailed list of 32 graduate job interview questions and their ideal answers, prepare confidently and stand out from the competition

When Do Graduate Jobs Start? Understanding Job Timelines

Gain insight into the industry-specific graduate job timelines with this comprehensive guide and secure your dream job with confidence.

15+ Benefits of an Internship in Jumpstarting your Career

Discover the benefits of an internship for jumpstarting your career and find out how they can give you a competitive edge in the job market.

Writing an Internship Email that Stands Out (+Examples)

Learn how to write an impressive internship email with our guide and access real-life examples that will help you land your dream internship.

9 Types of Internships: Identifying the Best Fit for You

Explore 9 different types of internships in our comprehensive guide and discover the best fit for your skills, interests, and goals.

Apprenticeship vs. Internship: A Comprehensive Comparison

Discover key differences between apprentice vs internships with our detailed comparison and learn which option best suits your career goals.