Undergraduate Certificate in Early Childhood Learning and Development

School of Education

Do you want to develop your understanding and knowledge about young children’s learning and development? The University of Notre Dame Australia’s Undergraduate Certificate in Early Childhood Learning and Development will help you to create a solid knowledge base. Developed by an award-winning team of educators and drawing on contemporary research about learning, neuroscience and play, this program supports students in developing key skills that promote positive educational outcomes in early childhood. This fully online, government-subsidised program is suitable for educators in early learning settings, educational assistants and teachers seeking professional learning focused on early development and learning through play, parents of young children, and home-school educators.

• Why study this certificate?

  If you are planning to home-school your children or work in an early learning centre, the Undergraduate Certificate in Early Childhood Learning and Development will be of benefit. The program offers a learner-centred approach, applied theory and interactive online learning experiences. Developed by award-winning and highly experienced early childhood educators, this entirely online, the government-subsidised certificate can be taken for professional learning and also offers the following two pathways to a Bachelor of Education degree. These are:

  • The Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Care is currently delivered from the Fremantle Campus.
  • The Bachelor of Primary Education (Early Childhood specialisation) is currently delivered from the Sydney Campus.​

• Program summary

  The Undergraduate Certificate in Early Childhood Learning and Development will provide students with knowledge and skills to support the learning and development of children aged from birth to eight years. The main areas of focus are child development, supporting positive behaviour, creating environments where children can thrive and supporting children’s learning through play.

  Students will study contemporary theory that will support their understanding of children and how they learn. Students will develop key skills in how to support children to become confident, happy, self-regulated, and motivated learners. This program also equips students with strategies for creating stimulating indoor and outdoor learning environments and actively scaffolding and extending children’s thinking and learning capacity.

  There are 4 x 25 credit point courses within the Certificate program. The program is currently only available part time.

  • Each course within the program covers 40 hours of online class engagement spread over the semester with additional reading and assessment preparation time required.
  • 20 of these hours are recorded content for self-paced learning
  • The other 20 hours are scheduled with 5x4 hour live workshops
  • The recorded content for course will be released in concept-based segments to be engaged with at your convenience in the weeks preceding each scheduled workshop.
  • The workshops will be live and online with your tutors using zoom.

  The courses are offered as following:

  Semester 1

  • EDUC1022 Creating Environments for Children to Learn Through Play
  • EDUC1023 Supporting the Developing Child (0-8)

  Semester 2

  • EDUC1024 Supporting Young Children to Learn Through Play
  • EDUC1025 Supporting Children’s Behaviour and Social Engagement

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

  More information regarding courses can be found at the course descriptions pages Fremantle Sydney.

  Please note: the availability of these courses is indicative only and may be subject to change.

• Entry requirements

  To be eligible for admission to The Undergraduate Certificate in Early Childhood Learning and Development applicants must meet the following specific requirements.

  a) Evidence of specific professional experience related to working with young children. Evidence includes a letter from your employer or a personal statement outlining your professional experience with children and a contactable referee;
  and/or
  b) A certificate 4 in any field

• Learning outcomes

  Graduates of the Undergraduate Certificate in Early Childhood Learning and Development will be able to:

  1. Acquire a theoretical knowledge of young children’s learning and development
  2. Develop key skills to support children to become self-actualised and pro-social individuals
  3. Apply contemporary strategies for creating stimulating indoor and outdoor learning environments; and
  4. Analyse evidence-based strategies to scaffold and extend children’s thinking and learning capacity through play.

• Career opportunities

  The Undergraduate Certificate in Early Childhood Learning and Development is a pathway to further study of higher awards, such as a Diploma or Bachelor's degree.

  Teaching opportunities are open to graduates of the program in the following areas:

  • Early childhood including long day care, family day care, pre-schools, after-hours care
  • Primary school settings
  • Community and government organisations

• Real world experience

  You will learn from our academics, who are leaders in their field. There are no practicum requirements for this program.

• Opportunities and experiences

  At the University of Notre Dame, we believe that gaining a global perspective is an important part of your university education. We offer various opportunities for students to study abroad and become active global citizens. These opportunities include exchange programs, professional placements, study tours, and volunteer opportunities. Visit Opportunities and experiences to find out more.

• Scholarships

  Scholarships provide financial support to students while they are completing their studies. There are various scholarships available to prospective and current students, across all study levels and campuses.

  These can be funded by Notre Dame, industry, individuals and non-profit organisations, to provide financial assistance to students to support costs associated with study. This could include buying food, paying rent, transport, and household bills, raising children as single parents, being a single-income household, becoming unemployed or caring for a sick loved one.

  Please visit the Scholarships Finder to see which scholarships are available to Undergraduate students.

• Fees and costs

  This Program has the following loan scheme(s) available for eligible students:

  Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
  A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is a place at a university where the Australian Government pays part of your fees. This part is a subsidy, not a loan, and you don’t have to pay it back. However, this subsidy does not cover the entire cost of your study. Students must pay the rest, which is called the ‘student contribution amount’.

  In a Commonwealth Supported Place, your fees are subsidised by the Australian Government. Your fees will be split into two portions:

  The Commonwealth contribution, which is the portion paid by the Australian Government.

  The student contribution, which is the portion you pay. You may choose to pay upfront or defer your student contribution with a HECS-HELP Loan. The HECS-HELP loan scheme assists eligible students with the payment of all, or part, of their tuition fees, not including additional study costs such as accommodation or textbooks. Your HECS-HELP debt will be indexed each year in line with the Consumer Price Index.

  Eligible students will be offered a CSP – you do not need to apply.

  For indicative fees and information on how to pay, including Government loan schemes and our online calculator, visit our Fees, costs and scholarships page.

• Student profile data

  ATAR and selection rank profile

  The University of Notre Dame Australia offers clear and transparent information regarding ATAR and selection rank for domestic students beginning in Semester 1. This data includes the highest, median and lowest ranks required for admission to assist you in making informed study decisions.

  Explore our detailed overview of ATAR offers and student profiles to find the ideal degree that matches your interests and aspirations.

  View our ATAR and selection rank profile data.

• More information

  Considering your uni options?
  Our advisors provide support while choosing a program of study and completing our application process.

  If you need advice about studying at Notre Dame, the Prospective Students Office can help. Book a 1-on-1 advice session with a career advisor or call us on 1800 878 916.

  Fremantle and Broome
  Email: future@nd.edu.au
  Address: 23 High St, Fremantle, WA 6160

  Sydney and Melbourne
  Email: sydney@nd.edu.au
  Address: 128-140 Broadway, Chippendale, NSW 2008