Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education
2027 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2027 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education |
| Deakin course code | E661 |
| Course credit points | 8 |
| Course version | 1 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts and Education |
| Course information | For students who commenced from 2024 to 2026 |
| Campus | Offered to continuing students only. |
| Final intake | Students should contact Student Central for course, course map and enrolment information. Further course structure information can be found in the handbook archive. |
| Duration | 1 year full-time or part-time equivalent |
| CRICOS code | 114294M Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Supplementary information | This program is accredited in Australia as an initial teacher education qualification in Early Childhood Education, approved by the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA). Graduates are eligible to apply for registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) as an Early Childhood Teacher and may be able to register in other Australian states and territories. As requirements vary across jurisdictions and may change, Deakin cannot guarantee or represent eligibility for registration outside Victoria. Graduates seeking interstate registration are responsible for confirming current requirements with the relevant authority. |
Course sub-headings
Professional recognition
This program is accredited in Australia as an initial teacher education qualification in Early Childhood Education, approved by the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA). Graduates are eligible to apply for registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) as an Early Childhood Teacher and may be able to register in other Australian states and territories. As requirements vary across jurisdictions and may change, Deakin cannot guarantee or represent eligibility for registration outside Victoria. Graduates seeking interstate registration are responsible for confirming current requirements with the relevant authority.
Course learning outcomes
| Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|
| Critically analyse, consolidate, synthesise and apply knowledge, theory, principles and practices relevant to curriculum, ethical conduct, policy and regulations in early childhood education with advanced knowledge and evaluation of the theoretical underpinning. |
| Critically evaluate and use highly skilled communication strategies (oral, written, digital and nonverbal) to professionally transfer knowledge, complex ideas and theoretical concepts with diverse individuals and groups (such as children, families, parents and caregivers, colleagues and other professionals, community organisations). |
| Critically evaluate and apply a range of technologies to collect, analyse, synthesise, evaluate, generate and transmit information for the purposes of advanced and ethically responsible teaching and learning practices in a rapidly changing global environment. |
| Critically analyse, evaluate and reflect on contemporary issues, policies and research in educational and societal contexts to generate and transmit independent judgements that are ethical to complex situations relating to teaching and learning in early childhood education. |
| Apply analytical and practical skills to complex professional situations and ideas to make independent judgements related to teaching and learning. Generate and transmit creative, innovative and authentic solutions to real-life and complex problems encountered when working with diverse individuals and groups (such as children, families, parents and caregivers, colleagues and other professionals, community organisations). |
| Use initiative and agency to apply evaluative and critically analytic knowledge and skills to demonstrate responsibility for own learning and professional practice (and in collaboration with others). |
| Actively and collaboratively participate in, and/or lead learning communities, involving learners, families, community members, colleagues and the broader profession to deepen knowledge and practice to optimise teaching for child learning and wellbeing. |
| Adapt and apply advanced knowledge and skills that support inclusion of diversity in the professional context. This includes influences of Indigenous and intercultural issues, family contexts, gender and disability on development, learning and teaching. |
Approved by Faculty Board 2023
Note – From 2026, Deakin commenced introducing Graduate Attributes (GAs), which define the distinctive characteristics of a Deakin graduate. You may notice some courses still refer to Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) during this transition period.
Course rules
To complete the Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education you must pass 8 credit points. This includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- 8 credit points of core units.
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Course structure
Core units
Compulsory 0-credit point units
To be completed in the first trimester of study:
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin |
Units
| ECE781 | Bioecological Perspectives of Child Development in the Early Years (Birth-Eight) |
| ECE722 | Positioning Early Childhood Education and Care: the History and Philosophy |
| ECE728 | Pedagogical Understandings of Teaching and Learning in the Early Childhood Contexts |
| ECE735 | Children's Ecological Positioning: Seeing Children in Family and Community Contexts |
| ECE703 | Integrative Curriculum Concepts in Play-Based Contexts: Language and Literacy |
| ECE736 | Integrative Curriculum Concepts in Play-Based Contexts: Creative Arts |
| ECE705 | Integrative Curriculum Concepts in Play-Based Contexts: Mathematics and Science |
| ECE733 | Teacher as Leader |
Course duration
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
Fees and charges
Tuition fees will vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, your study load and/or unit discipline.
Your tuition fees will increase annually at the start of each calendar year. All fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD) and do not include additional costs such as textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment, mandatory checks, travel, consumables and other costs.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.