Graduate Certificate in Education (Early Childhood)

School of Education, Fremantle Campus

The Graduate Certificate in Education (Early Childhood) is a nationally accredited program that enables primary qualified teachers to gain an early childhood qualification. The program, which consists of four courses, includes 12 weeks of practical teaching experience across both childcare and school settings. The program is equivalent to 0.5 of a full-time load and will take approximately 12 months to complete, depending on the course offerings each year.

• Why study this degree?

  Early Childhood education? Our Graduate Certificate in Education (Early Childhood), which is delivered fully online, provides specialised study for those wishing to develop their skills and qualifications to teach in the early years from birth to 8 years.

  This postgraduate program covers topics such as Understanding Holistic Development in Context, Early Years’ Curriculum Development, Trends in Early Childhood Development and Education, and Integration in Early Years’ Settings. If your current qualification is not in Early Childhood, you will also be required to complete a practical component that is embedded in the courses offered. This involves two weeks with babies and toddlers (aged 0-2 years) within a childcare context and 10 weeks with children aged 3-5 years within a school or childcare setting. The practicum components are embedded within the coursework.

  Graduates of this program may choose to enrol for a Master of Education at Notre Dame.

• Program summary

  • Understanding Holistic Development in Context
  • Early Childhood Curriculum Development
  • Trends in Early Childhood Development and Teaching
  • Integration in Early Years' Setting

  Practicum Experience is embedded within the coursework (two weeks with babies and toddlers aged 0-2 years within a childcare context and 10 weeks with children aged 3-5 years within a school or childcare context).

  Please note: Students who already hold an ECE qualification are not required to undertake the practicum.

  For a list of courses that you will study please see the Program Regulations.

  For a list of courses available please see Schedule of Courses 2022.

  Students may commence in Summer Term (January), in Semester 1 (February) or April Intensive, in Winter Term (July), in Semester 2 (July) or October Intensive, subject to course availability.

  Full details of the program requirements are contained in the Program Regulations.

• Real-world experience

  You will learn from academics who are industry leaders and, through our practicum placements and internship programs, you will gain real professional experience and make valuable contacts with potential employers.

• 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

• Fees

  More information can be found at the Fees page.

• More information

  For more information on the Graduate Certificate in Education (Early Childhood), please call our Prospective Students Officer on +61 8 9433 0533 or email future@nd.edu.au.

  All international enquiries should contact the International Students Office on international@nd.edu.au.