Key Facts
| CRICOS Code | 117458E |
| Full Time | 12 months |
| Part Time | 2 year (Domestic only) |
| Units | 12 |
| Campus | Sydney, Parramatta, Geelong, Melbourne |
| IELTS Academic | 7 overall with no band less than 7.0 or equivalent |
| Delivery mode | BlendedFace-to-face |
| Outcome | Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education (GDECE) |
Course Description
Graduates with a Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education are qualified to teach children up to 5 years of age in an approved early childhood centre. The qualification gives entry into a rewarding career in childhood education.
The Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education is recognised by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) for professional registration and due to mutual recognition by the VIT and the NSW Education Standards Authority.
Course Learning Outcomes
| CLO1 | Critically analyse and evaluate the impact of social, cultural and environmental factors on children’s learning, development and wellbeing, and apply these understandings to create inclusive, equitable and culturally responsive learning environments. |
| CLO2 | Critically analyse and evaluate the impact of social, cultural and environmental factors on children’s learning, development and wellbeing, and apply these understandings to create inclusive, equitable and culturally responsive learning environments. |
| CLO3 | Exhibit cultural competence, respect for diversity and an understanding of Indigenous perspectives and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges and practices. |
| CLO4 | Exhibit cultural competence, respect for diversity and an understanding of Indigenous perspectives and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges and practices. |
| CLO5 | Communicate and collaborate effectively and sensitively to establish positive relationships with children, families, colleagues, and community members to support children’s holistic development. |
| CLO6 | Work effectively as a team member and demonstrate leadership skills that embrace ethical and professional practices, including understanding and adhering to the Code of Ethics and relevant policy and legal requirements in the early childhood sector in Australia. |
| CLO7 | Engage in reflective practice, self-assessment and ongoing professional development to enhance personal and professional growth. |
Graduate Attributes
| GA1 | Communicate effectively in a diverse range of professional or community context |
| GA2 | Complete work tasks and assignments independently or as an effective member of multidisciplinary teams |
| GA3 | Engage in and value life-long learning leading to the enhancement of professional knowledge and skills |
| GA4 | Are information and technology literate |
| GA5 | Respond appropriately to a changing workforces, cultures and values reflecting a global work environment |
| GA6 | Demonstrate critical thinking, problem solving and decision-making abilities essential to contributing soundly to the resolution of issues confronting organisations |
| GA7 | Facilitate intellectual curiosity |
| GA8 | Act in an ethical manner in all aspects of professional life. |
International Student Duration
The CRICOS-registered duration is 52 weeks or 1 year of full-time study (2 semesters). Please note the part time mode is not available to a holder of a student visa, who is not a citizen of Australia or New Zealand, or who is not an Australian permanent resident, or who is a temporary resident of Australia.
Domestic Student Duration
For domestic students the course is 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time.
Course Structure
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Credit Points | Prerequisites/Co-Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECE501 | Learning Development and Pedagogy | 6 | Nil |
| ECE502 | Language and Multimodal Practice | 6 | Nil |
| ECE503 | Contemporary and Historical Perspectives in Early Childhood | 6 | Nil |
| ECE504 | Creativity and the Arts in the Early Years | 6 | Nil |
| ECE505 | Culture, Diversity and Inclusion | 6 | Nil |
| ECE506 | Early Years Pedagogy and Practice | 6 | ECE501 (P) |
| ECE507 | Science, Technology and Maths in the Early Years | 6 | Nil |
| ECE508 | Leadership, Ethics and Advocacy | 6 | 24 credit points |
| ECE509 | Professional Placement 1 – Orientation to Professional Practice (3-5) | 0 | ECE501 (C) |
| ECE510 | Professional Placement 2 – Orientation to Professional Practice (Birth – 2) | 0 | ECE509 (P) |
| ECE511 | Professional Placement 3 – Leadership | 0 | ECE510 (P) |
| ECE512 | Professional Placement 4 – Toward Independent Teaching | 0 | ECE504 (P), ECE510 (P) |
Total Credit Points: 48
Device Specifications
| Windows | macOS | |||
| Minimum | Recommended / Better | Minimum | Recommended / Better | |
| Version | Windows 11 (latest version) | Windows 11 (latest version) | macOS (latest supported release, or one previous) | macOS (most current major release) |
| Processor | Intel i5 (≥2.0 GHz) / AMD Ryzen 5 | Intel i7 (≥2.0 GHz) / AMD Ryzen 7 | Apple M1 chip (or later) | Apple M2 or M3 chip |
| Memory (RAM) | 8 GB | 16 GB | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Storage | 256 GB SSD | 512 GB SSD | 256 GB SSD | 512 GB SSD |
| Battery life | 4 hrs (under normal use) | 6–8 hrs (under normal use) | 4 hrs (under normal use) | 8–10 hrs (under normal use) |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) with 2×2 MIMO | 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6/6E) with 2×2 MIMO | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2×2 MIMO | Wi-Fi 6E / Wi-Fi 7 with 2×2 MIMO |
| Webcam & Audio | Built-in webcam, microphone, and speakers | Built-in webcam, microphone, and speakers | Built-in webcam, microphone, and speakers | Built-in webcam, microphone, and speakers |
Delivery Method
| Type | Explanation |
| Blended | Delivered partially on campus and partially online |
| Face to Face | This is delivered at level Level G, 98–104 Goulburn Street, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia, 107 George St, Parramatta NSW 2150, Australia, Level 1, West, 237 Ryrie Street, Geelong Victoria 3220 and 363 King Street, West Melbourne, Victoria 3003 |
Assessment Methods
The Institute uses authentic assessment principles that may include practical exercises, case studies, presentations, reports, online simulations, essays, and examinations. These may include being done under invigilation.
Mandatory Workplace Component
The Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education has a mandatory 60 days of work placement, including:
· 15 days with children aged birth – 35 months
· 15 days with 3–5-year-olds
· 5 days community Play Space, with children aged birth – 8 years
· 25 days in a 3–4-year-old, or 4–5-year-old, kindergarten program (preschool).
We have many exciting projects, partnerships and initiatives to help you learn from experience working with young children. PIA will find you a placement, or you can also organise your own placement, if this is your preference.
Careers
Graduates from this award will usually work as Childhood education manager, Outside school hours coordinator, Family-day care coordinator, Playgroup coordinator, and Assistant director of early childhood services. Further studies and experience in early childhood teaching may provide the opportunity to progress to higher positions in an approve early childhood centre, for example, the director of a centre or other roles in the wider profession.
The Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education is recognised by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) for professional registration and due to mutual recognition by the VIT and the NSW Education Standards Authority.
Entry Requirements
Applicants must have successfully completed
- a Bachelor’s degree (AQF 7) or higher, awarded by a recognised university or higher education institution, in any discipline or equivalent.
OR
- an Associate Degree or Advanced Diploma (AQF 6) awarded by a recognised university or higher education institution in any relevant discipline,
AND
have at least two- years full-time equivalent professional work experience.
- Applicants from a non-English speaking background must satisfy English language requirements set by the Institute. Details are published on the PIA website.
Where an applicant does not meet either of the requirements above, admission may be granted if the Dean is satisfied that the applicant has a reasonable possibility of successfully completing the course.
All applicants must attend and pass an interview conducted by PIA staff prior to admission in the course.
All students undertaking the Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education must obtain a valid Working with Children’s Check (WWC) within the first four weeks of beginning the course.
Language proficiency
Language proficiency
- IELTS Academic: 7 with no band less than 7.0; or
- TOEFL IBT (International Benchmark Test): 91 or better; or
- Academic PTE (Pearson Test of English): 66 or better; or
- Cambridge English: CAE and CPE (from 2015): 185 or better; or
- General Certificate of Education (GCE): A Levels with a C or better in English.
English Language Test results are valid for two years from the date of the results up to the date of commencement at the Institute. The most recent test supersedes ALL previous tests.
Fees
Domestic Students:
You are a domestic student if you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, New Zealand citizen, or Australian humanitarian visa holder. Your course will be a full Fee-paying place. This is noted in the Letter of Offer. You can also find the annual course cost on our Courses and Fees page or on the web page for your course under fees are based on a standard full-time study load and duration. Your course fees and duration may vary if you have applied for and been granted Advanced Standing. Tuition fees may increase during your studies. Students are advised in advance of any increase in tuition fees being implemented.
Full Fee-Paying Places:
A full fee-paying place is where you pay the full (unsubsidised) tuition fee for your course. Eligible students can defer the payment of their tuition fees through the FEE-HELP scheme.
International Students:
If you’re an international student, you can find the annual course cost in Australian dollars (AUD$) on our Courses and Fees page or on the web page for your course under fees are based on a standard full-time study load and duration. Your course fees and duration may vary if you have applied for and been granted Advanced Standing. Tuition fees may increase during your studies. Students are advised in advance of any increase in tuition fees being implemented.
Further Information
For further information please contact:
Polytechnic Institute Australia Pty Ltd
CRICOS: 03535M
TEQSA provider number: PRV14049
ABN: 34 145 333 795
Head office and postal address:
Level G, 98–104 Goulburn Street, Sydney NSW 2000
107 George St, Parramatta NSW 2150
363 King Street, West Melbourne VIC 3003
Level 1, West, 237 Ryrie Street, Geelong VIC 3220
Phone: +61 (2) 8319 8202
Email: info@pia.edu.au
