Graduate Certificate in
Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5)

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How to apply

Key info

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Entry requirements

Diploma in Early Childhood Education & Care and have 5+ years' work experience, or a bachelor's degree

See entry requirements

SATAC

2GC203 (CSP)
2GC703 (FFP)

Duration

6 months

Delivery mode

In-person
Online

Availability

Full-time, part-time

Start dates

March

Annual indicative fees (2025)

$2,313 (CSP)
$11,656 (FFP)

SATAC

2GC203 (CSP)
2GC703 (FFP)

Duration

6 months

Delivery mode

Online

Availability

Full-time, part-time

Start dates

March, July

Annual indicative fees (2025)

$2,313 (CSP)
$11,656 (FFP)

CSP: Commonwealth supported place | FFP: Full fee paying

Your qualifications are stepping stones

Flinders offers staggered qualifications, allowing you to choose how far you want to progress. You will earn a Graduate Certificate as you work towards a Master’s degree, or you can complete the certificate as a standalone qualification.

Explore the Master of Teaching (Birth to 5).

Your pathway to upgrade from early childhood diploma to teacher-qualified. Study online at your own pace.

Your pathway to being teacher-qualified in just 2 years.

Transform your Early Childhood Diploma into a teaching qualification with the Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5).

This six-month pathway leads to the Master of Teaching (Birth – 5), making you eligible for teacher registration and work in long-day care centres, kindergartens, and preschools. Once you graduate, you’ll only need an additional 18 months of study to complete the Master's.

Study online at your own pace while continuing to work, with flexible placement options and a curriculum based on the latest research. With practical, hands-on learning opportunities integrated into the curriculum, this program offers a strong foundation for those seeking to advance their careers in early childhood education or pursue further study.

Up to 80% off fees due to Government subsidies*.

*Government subsidies enable Flinders to offer Domestic applicants a reduction of up to 80% off full course fees through Commonwealth Supported Places. Offer subject to change.

_{$24,000+ available for those studying to become early childhood teachers.}

The QualifySA in Early Childhood Financial Support Program provides eligible students with financial assistance throughout study and into initial years of employment.

No.1 in SA
in Education & Training for full-time employment, learning resources, overall educational experience, student support and teaching quality.

(The Good Universities Guide 2025 (postgraduate), public SA-founded universities only)

Top 200
in the world for Education.

(2022 Academic Ranking of World Universities)

No.1 in SA
in Education & Training for full-time employment, learning resources, overall educational experience, student support and teaching quality.

(The Good Universities Guide 2025 (postgraduate), public SA-founded universities only)

Your career

Graduates can continue into Flinders’ Master of Teaching (Birth to 5), and after completion, will be eligible to apply for teacher registration and teach children from birth to 5 years in a range of early childhood settings, including kindergartens and preschools.

Potential occupations after completing the subsequent Master of Teaching (Birth to 5)

Director, assistant director or manager at an early learning centre $100K
Childcare centre manager $95K
Teacher in long-day care or early learning centre $88K
Kindergarten or preschool teacher $88K
Childcare educator $68K

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Potential employers

Long-day childcare centres
Preschools
Kindergartens
Early Learning Centre
Government
Not-for-profits

Program of study

You’ll complete 4 topics and learn to inspire and nurture young minds using the latest perspectives of early childhood education. You’ll enhance your teaching through practical projects and develop skills to evaluate early-years play, curriculum, policy and pedagogy. 

Topics

Early Childhood Philosophies, Pedagogies and Partnerships
Contemporary Early Childhood Curriculum and Pedagogy
Researching Play and Pedagogies
Making Meaning in the Expressive Arts

View study program

Practical experience

This course does not include formal practical placement components, as it is designed to provide foundational knowledge and skills for roles in early childhood education. However, the program focuses on practical learning through case studies, reflective practice, and applied projects, preparing students for real-world applications in early childhood settings.

For those seeking hands-on experience or teacher registration, this certificate can serve as a pathway to further study, such as the Master of Teaching (Birth to 5), which includes professional placements.

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Entry requirements

This course is a pathway to the Master of Teaching (Birth to 5).

Applicants must hold a bachelor degree or equivalent qualification; OR hold a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care or equivalent and have a minimum of five years full-time equivalent work experience (undertaken within the last seven years) in an Australian early childhood setting with related leadership responsibilities.

Additional entry requirements

Applicants must complete a non-academic assessment task known as a Teaching Capabilities Statement as part of their application to demonstrate their motivation to teach, their strong interpersonal and communication skills, willingness to learn, resilience, self-efficacy, and strong organisational and planning skills. This involves a short statement in response to three set questions used to demonstrate suitability for study and work in the teaching profession.

Applicants who select this course as a preference during the application process will be directed to a page to meet this requirement.

Visit the Teaching Capabilities Statement page for further information

Inherent requirements

The course has inherent requirements in the areas of:

General requirements
Professional experience requirements
Skill requirements

For further details visit the inherent requirements webpage.

How to apply

Select your preferred course.

Check entry requirements.

Check individual course entries on SATAC for information on important dates.

Apply online at SATAC.

Apply directly via SATAC

2GC203 (CSP)

2GC703 (FFP)

Flinders students can apply to transfer to this course internally. Visit: www.flinders.edu.au/internaltransfer for more information.

We’re here to help you every step of the way.

If you would like to talk to one of our friendly advisors about applying to university or to discuss your study options and pathways, please contact us.

1300 354 633

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