early-childhood-education_2050x605 Early Childhood Education - AECC Australia

Early Childhood Education

Early Childhood Education (ECE) has received a lot of thought and attention in the recent years. Many countries have pushed for higher standards in quality ECE and identify this among the most important things for young children. Access to high end quality childhood education services are the building blocks for the future of children. Australia is not exception to that and it has made huge improvements in its ECE sector. An average proportion of children under three are enrolled for this. The proportion of four year olds attending some form of care is also continuing to grow.
Australia is looking for childhood educators who have the necessary qualifications. International students fit into these jobs and perform well as they bring along with them their own cultural experiences from their home countries. While doing a course in ECE the student visa would allow you to work during your term for about 40 hours (more during the term breaks) thereby giving you hands-on experience while you study the course. This combination is great to enhance your skills and techniques especially when you are ready to take up your permanent job in this given sphere. Recruitment agencies for childcare can assist you in finding suitable job placements during and after your course.

Diploma in Early Childhood Education

A diploma in Early Childhood Education in Australia is a qualification that prepares  individuals to work as educators and leaders in the field of early childhood education. Programmes of this type cover topics such as child development, early childhood education theories and practices, and the principles of quality care and education for young children.

Early childhood education is a growing field, and those with a diploma in this area may have more job opportunities available to them. Australia has a growing population of young children, with data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) indicating that the number of children under the age of 15 has increased in recent years. As of 2021, there were approximately 4.8 million children under the age of 15 in Australia, representing about 22% of the total population. Thus already suggesting a very high demand for trained educators and as the population explosion continues, it is very likely that this demand will become more profound in Australia.
Diploma in Early Childhood Education also equips individuals to work with young children which is an extremely rewarding and fulfilling career for those who enjoy being around children and helping them learn and grow. At the same time, early childhood learning plays a critical role in the development and well-being of young children, and those who work in this field can make a positive impact on larger society as they are literally moulding and shaping the minds of the children who are the future. 
A diploma in Early Childhood Education also acts  as a stepping stone to further education, such as a bachelor's degree in early childhood education or a related field and will create a forum for you to gain the knowledge and skills they required to be effective educators and leaders in the field and pursue a meaningful career that has the potential to make a positive difference in the lives of young children and their families.

Diploma in Early Childhood Education: Course Information

The length of a diploma in an early childhood education program in Australia can vary depending on the institution and the specific focus of the program. Some programs may be completed in as little as one year, while others may take two or more years to complete. In general, diploma programs in early childhood education in Australia are designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to work as educators and leaders in the field of early childhood education.

Diplomas in Early Childhood Education cover a wide range of subjects, including but not limited to:
  • Child development: Subjects in this sphere usually contain information on honing the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development of children from birth to adolescence.
  • Early childhood education theories and practices: There exist a variety of theories and practices in early childhood education for example the Montessori method. Diplomas in Early Childhood tend to expose learners to diverse methods and theories of education through subjects in this domain. 
  • Health and safety: This subject covers topics such as nutrition, health and safety practices, and emergency procedures in early childhood education settings.
  • Curriculum development and planning: This subject focuses on the development and implementation of age-appropriate curricula for young children.
  • Diversity and inclusion: This subject covers the importance of promoting diversity and inclusion in early childhood education, including understanding and respecting the cultural backgrounds and needs of all children and families.
  • Communication and collaboration: This subject covers the importance of effective communication and collaboration with children, families, and colleagues in early childhood education settings.
To complete a diploma in early childhood education program, students need to complete a certain number of credits or units of study. The number of credits or units required will depend on the institution and the specific requirements of the program. It's vital to note that  the specific subjects studied in a diploma in early childhood education program will vary depending on the institution and the specific focus of the program and it's in your best interest to look at the subjects offered by the institution you have chosen to ensure course clarity and preparedness. 
Diploma in Early Childhood Education is an excellent course for individuals seeking entry level employment opportunities in this field. It is suitable for finding work in the following roles:-
  1. Kindergarten Teacher
  2. Nanny or au pair
  3. Family day care provider
However, in order to secure more intermediary or higher level positions consecutive courses like a Bachelors or a Masters in Early Childhood Education are the accepted basic criteria across the industry. More information about the Bachelors in Early Childhood Education and Masters in Early Childhood Education in Australia can be found below. 

Bachelors of Education in Early Childhood

A bachelor's degree in early childhood education in Australia is a higher education qualification that prepares individuals to work as educators and leaders in the field of early childhood education.  The course takes learners in an in depth journey into exploring the various facets of early childhood and allows learners to form a comprehensive understanding of educational needs of children aged from birth to five years old.  Additionally, a bachelor's degree will also focus on integrating early childhood and kindergarten instruction to involve families and  their immediate communities as active participants in the educational process of young children. 

Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education: Entry Requirements

Bachelor's degree in early childhood education is ideal for those individuals who are keen on working with young children and are passionate about education. The bachelor's degree is also suited for individuals who already have some work experience in the domain of education and would like to formalise their learning through degree and increase their employment opportunities.

The specific entry requirements for a bachelor's degree in early childhood education program in Australia can vary depending on the institution and the specific focus of the program. In general, however, most programs will require the following basic criteria for enrollment and admissions:- 

Entry Requirements in Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education for Domestic Students:

While there are no specific requirements for entry, general expectations across universities is that applicants have completed high school or an equivalent level of education. In some cases universities mark out a specific minimum GPA cut off for student filtration. 

Entry Requirements in Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education for International Students:

For students who are not naturalised Australia citizens and have completed their education from abroad, Universities in Australia generally require the following criteria to be met by applicants to be considered for admissions. 

  1. Completion of  high school or an equivalent level of education and in some cases 
  2. English language proficiency: Some programs may require applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English through standardised tests such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

Additionally, some institutes might require candidates to submit personal statements or essays, Letters of recommendation and might have a personal interview requirement for admission as well.

Overall, the specific entry requirements for a bachelor's degree in early childhood education program in Australia will depend on the institution and the specific program. It is important for applicants to carefully review the requirements of the programs they are interested in and to ensure that they meet all necessary criteria before applying.

You can always speak to aecc's’s counsellors by clicking here to help you pick out the institution that matches your interests and needs when pursuing a bachelor's degree in early childhood education. Our counsellors will guide you in detail with all entry requirements for your selected program and will aid your path  to your dream school.

Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education: Course Overview

Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education is a four year undergraduate degree course that needs to be completed to ensure long term employment in the field of education. A degree in early childhood education has different credit components across different institutes in Australia and it may be wise for you to do some research on the specific requirements of your chosen university. But despite this, the broader themes that you will cover in your 3 year undergraduate degree are as follows: 

YEAR I

YEAR II

YEAR III

Child Development: Cognitive and Social needs

Planning and Assessment for Teaching and Learning

Teaching elementary Math, Science and Language - II
Health, Wellbeing and Nutrition in young children

Teaching elementary Math,Science and language

Experiential learning: Play in lessons
Professional Subject Knowledge

Materiality in Early Childhood: Visual and Creative Arts

Storytelling, Drama in childhood learning
Pedagogy and Play

Movement, Music and storytelling

Child safety, Rights and Advocacy
Partnerships with Family and Community

Holistic learning environments

History, Philosophy and Early Childhood Education
Safe, Secure and Supportive Relationships and Environments

Inclusivity in Education

Creativity and the arts in early childhood education


Additionally, as part of your 4 year undergraduate curriculum you will also be expected to get practical experience in interacting with children and working in internships that will have a graded component. These will ensure that you develop skills and knowledge needed for the roles you might take on after the completion of your bachelors degree.

Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education: Career Opportunities

Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education upon successful completion from a reputed university will enable you to develop critical skills needed as an early childhood educator. Consequently, you can hope to be employed in the following roles:-

  1. Kindergarten Teacher
  2. Childcare educator
  3. Primary School Teacher
  4. Early Childhood Educator
According to OECD Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) 2018 ,early childhood educators across the world, and more specifically in Australia, report a very high job satisfaction derived from their work.Thus making a career in this domain not only lucrative but also respectable and extremely rewarding. 

Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education

A Master's Degree in Early Childhood education is an advanced academic degree that focuses on the education and development of young children, typically ages birth to 8 years old. This type of degree is pursued by individuals who want to work in a variety of early childhood settings, such as preschools, kindergartens, and primary schools, or in other roles supporting the education and development of young children, such as child care centres, family child care homes, and other early childhood programs. 

Master of Teaching in Early Childhood Education is best suited for people who already have an undergraduate degree in a related field, such as education, child development, or psychology. Individuals who  also have prior experience working with young children, either as a teacher or in another capacity but want to enhance their theoretical knowledge in the field also make for ideal candidates for this graduate program. Additionally, Master’s courses in Early Childhood Education in Australia are all vetted by the Australian Children's Education and Care QualityAuthority (ACECQA)  and thus completion of the course from a recognized university greatly amplifies your employment opportunities in this field. 

Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education: Entry Requirements

Masters in Early childhood education being a higher level graduate degree has more specific entry requirements for candidates wishing to pursue this course. While the most basic requirement is successful completion of a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or related fields from a recognized university, there are several other requirements that must be met for candidates to be able to pursue this course. Some of these are listed below:-

  1. Passing the Teacher Capability Assessment Tool (TCAT) as a standardised test set by most Australian universities for individuals pursuing a degree in education. 
  2. Adequate score on a basic literacy and numeracy test as required by the Government of Australia for all individuals interested in pursuing higher degree and practice in education. 
  3. English language proficiency: This applies only to international students. Some programs may require applicants who have completed their studies from outside Australia to demonstrate proficiency in English through standardised tests such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

Since there are a lot of parameters that different universities put up for applicants, it is advisable for you to look up specific entry requirements for the University of your choice before applying.

aecc's’s counsellors will guide you to simplify your application process. You can reach out to us simply by clicking here and we will help you pursue your masters in early childhood education. Let us help you simplify your education journey and provide you enough information to make your education journey simpler & informed.

Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education: Course Overview

Master of Teaching in Early Childhood Education is designed for applicants with an undergraduate degree in any discipline who want a rewarding career as a global educator and teacher and will provide you with the knowledge, skills and professional values to become an effective educator.  Through engagement with contemporary ideas and practices, you will develop the professional knowledge and skills needed to foster the learning of students of various ages and diverse needs. As a result, you will become an excellent educator, able to design learning experiences that ensure your future students have the right balance of challenge and support to progress in areas such as the arts and music, English, mathematics, physical education, health and wellbeing, science and humanities.

While specific subjects offered under a graduate diploma in Early Childhood Education in Australia may differ from institute to institute you, in the two years of your graduate degree you will be covering advance themes likes the following:-

Year I

Year II

Language, Literacy & Play-Based Learning

Experiential learning in early classrooms

Engaging And Assessing Learners

Early childhood cultures and learning

Children, Childhood And Families

STEM learning and teaching

Creative Arts in Early Childhood education

Social and Emotional Wellbeing

Inclusion in Classrooms

Policy, Ethics and laws for children


Additionally, there will be a research component to your graduate programme which will require you to do some research in the domain of early childhood education. At the same time, all graduate courses in the field also come with a strong practical component with its specific credits points which is mandatory to pass the degree. This practical component is designed to increase your exposure to professional work settings with  young children and sensitise you to work well in real life settings. 

Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education: Career Opportunities

A Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education from a Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) vetted university increases your employment portfolio manyfolds. Consequently upon completion of the degree you can seek employment in the following areas:-

  1. Researcher in Early Childhood Education.
  2. Childcare Educator
  3. Junior primary teacher
  4. Curriculum designer for children
  5. Kindergarten teacher 
Pairing a certain years of experience in early childhood education with a master degree in the same will also allow you to pursue managerial or higher level positions in the kindergartens, primary schools and day care centres as well. Additionally, graduates who are interested in pursuing a research pathway, will become eligible to apply for the Master of Education (Research) which provides research training experience for potential entry to the PhD-Education.

You can always speak to aecc's counsellors by clicking here to help you pick out the institution that matches your interests and needs when pursuing a diploma in early childhood education. Let us help you simplify your education journey and provide you enough information to make your education journey simpler & informed.

Why is Australia the preferred destination for Early Childhood Education?

With a bachelors diploma in Early Childhood Education you will be able to secure entry level positions in early childhood learning spaces like Kindergartens and early years schools. Typically, students upon completion of the Bachelors diploma in Early childhood education find work in kindergartens and childcare centres, in jobs such as:

  • Kindergarten teacher
  • Early childhood teacher
  • Kindergarten Curriculum Designer 

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