Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5)

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

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Entry requirements

Key information

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

See entry requirements Download brochure

Direct Entry

Yes

Duration

0.5 years full-time (or part-time equivalent)

Start Dates

March

July (part-time only)

Annual Fees

2025 : $11,646 (CSP)

2025 : (FFP)

Delivery mode

Online

Practical experience

Not available

Study abroad

Not available

English language requirements

English language requirements by country

Why study Early Childhood Education at Flinders?

Gain the knowledge and skills to advance from diploma-qualified educator to teacher. In just six months online, this course offers a direct pathway into the Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) and a future as a qualified teacher.

Fast-track your teaching qualification

Complete in just six months to move directly into the Master of Teaching pathway.

Upgrade your credentials and earning potential

Finish the Certificate then the Master in a total of 24 months to become teacher-qualified and command higher salaries.

Learn by doing

Work on real-world projects and case studies that prepare you to design play-based curriculum, understand policy, and put ideas into practice.

Be guided by experts

Learn from passionate educators and researchers with expertise in areas like STEM, expressive arts, maths, and community partnerships.

Scholarships are a great way to ease the financial challenges of university study

Flinders has scholarships for high achievers, those in need of financial aid, indigenous, rural, and STEM students.

Find out if you're eligible.

What you will 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. 

Course handbook

Year 1

Core Topics

Early Childhood Philosophies
Curriculum and Pedagogy
Expressive Arts
Play and Pedagogies

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

You could be a

Expected salary
$108,000^*

Expected salary
$100,000^*

Expected salary
$95,000^*

Expected salary
$88,000^*

Expected salary
$68,000^*

Potential occupations

You could be a

Expected salary
$108,000^*

Expected salary
$100,000^*

Expected salary
$95,000^*

Expected salary
$88,000^*

Expected salary
$68,000^*

Potential employers

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

Professional accreditations

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

The Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5) is also available as an exit award from the Master of Teaching (Birth to 5), subject to meeting the requirements in the program of study.

The Master of Teaching (Birth to 5) qualification will enable you to apply for registration with the Teachers Registration Board of South Australia, and for registration in most other states in Australia.

You are advised to check registration requirements, as they are subject to change.

Graduates of the Master of Teaching (Birth to 5) meet the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) employment criteria.

Industry-relevant experience

Practical experience
Practical assessments

While this graduate certificate has no professional placement requirements, it does include practical projects and assessments.

When you progress to the Master of Teaching (Birth to 5), you will be involved in hands-on work experience with real-world projects and 80 days of professional placements in the first and second years that meet industry standards, aligning with Australia’s early childhood education framework.

Flinders will do its best to organise placements in your hometown. Plus, if you already work in an early childhood setting, you can complete up to half of your placements there.

To progress into the Master of Teaching (Birth to 5), you will need to meet the following requirements.

Child-Related Employment Screening

All Flinders University pre-service teachers must obtain a Working with Children Check (WWCC) from the Department for Human Service (DHS) Screening Unit and a Responding to Risks of Harm, Abuse and Neglect: Education and Care (RRHAN-EC) from a registered provider before undertaking their professional experience placements.

This is a requirement of the Department for Education (DfE), in agreement with the Catholic Education and Independent Schools Boards. Pre-service teachers who are not cleared will therefore not be able to complete the requirements of the course.

Instructions about applications are provided on the professional experience website.

Connect with industry

At Flinders, our close connections with the early childhood sector mean you’ll study with a university that is strongly linked to industry. We collaborate with a wide network of early childhood education and care services, giving students access to the latest practice, insights, and professional networks.

Many students entering the Graduate Certificate already hold a Diploma and are working in an early childhood setting. When you continue into the Master of Teaching (Early Childhood), you’ll benefit from diverse placement opportunities—often with the flexibility to complete a placement in your own workplace, where appropriate. This approach helps you build on your existing experience, strengthen your sector relationships, and graduate with the confidence and qualifications to step into your teaching career.

Flinders University is a future you can count on

No. 1 in Australia for postgraduate employment*.

Flexible online study - study anywhere, anytime and start, stop and restart your studies when life allows.

Your skills will be in high demand, with job growth of 11.7% projected for Early Childhood Teachers over the next ten years**.

Flinders University is ranked No. 1 in South Australia in Education & Training for learner engagement, learning resources, overall educational experience, student support and teaching quality***.

Financial support - eligible students an receive significant financial assistance, such as government subsidies and scholarships, reducing the cost of the degree.

Get work-ready with professional experience placements in a variety of early childhood settings, where you learn practical skills, put theory into practice, and develop important relationships with fellow students, parents and staff.

^{*QILT 2021 Graduate Outcomes Survey-longitudinal

**Source: Jobs and Skills Australia 2023 employment projections to May 2033

***The Good Universities Guide 2024 (undergraduate), public SA-founded universities only)}

Meet your academics

Our incredible teaching and professional staff are experts in their fields and well-connected to industry.

Rachael Hedger

Course Coordinator

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Rachael Hedger is Course Coordinator and a senior lecturer in Early Childhood Education at Flinders University. With extensive experience as a Preschool Room Leader and primary school teacher in both Australia and the UK, Rachael brings a wealth of practical knowledge to her role, ensuring you'll receive a comprehensive and engaging education.

Dr Timna Garnett

Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Education

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Timna is a passionate senior lecturer in Early Childhood Education at Flinders University, specialising in science and technology. Her extensive experience and research in STEM learning, conservation education, and digital technologies will provide you with innovative and practical teaching strategies. Timna's expertise ensures you are well-prepared to inspire and educate young minds effectively.

Linda Gray

Early Childhood Lecturer

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Linda is an early childhood lecturer who teaches early childhood curriculum with a focus on mathematics and community partnerships. As Academic Professional Experience Coordinator, she ensures third and final year students are well-prepared for their teaching careers. Linda is dedicated to fostering student success and support.

Get inspired

Discover more about Teaching at Flinders.

Vittoria Barbara
Master of Teaching graduate

The lecturers and tutors were such great mentors. They had lived experience - they'd worked in the field, so they had so much experience to pass on.

Entry requirements

To be accepted into this course, applicants must meet at least one of the following entry requirements:

Have completed a Diploma in Early Childhood Education & Care (or recognised equivalent) with 5 or more years' relevant full-time equivalent work experience (undertaken within the last 5 years) in an early childhood education setting with related leadership responsibilities.
Hold a bachelor degree or equivalent qualification.

Do you hold a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care?

You may be eligible to enter this course.

If you hold a Diploma in Early Childhood Education & Care plus 5 or more years' experience in early childhood education with leadership responsibility (undertaken within the last seven years), you can progress from Diploma to teacher-qualified in just 2 years by studying the Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5) for six months, then through a further 1.5 years of the Master of Teaching (Birth to 5).

Two qualifications in two years

The Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5) is a 6-month program that leads directly into the Master of Teaching (Birth to 5). This means you only need an additional 18 months of study to complete the Master's, totalling 2 years.

6-month

Complete 4 topics to earn
Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5)

24-month

16 topics (12 if entering via the Graduate Certificate 4-topic pathway)
24-month duration (18 months if entering via the Graduate Certificate 6-month pathway)
Master of Teaching (Birth to 5)

Have a question?

Find the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.

What career opportunities are available with a Master of Teaching (Birth to 5)?

This course is a pathway to the Master of Teaching (Birth to 5), which allows you to register as a qualified early childhood teacher. It can also lead to an immediate boost in your salary by becoming teacher-qualified.

Does the Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5) include professional placements?

The Graduate Certificate itself does not have professional placement requirements. However, if you progress to the Master of Teaching (Birth to 5), you will complete 80 days of professional placements.

Can I work while studying the Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5)?

Yes, the program is designed to be flexible, allowing you to study online at your own pace while continuing to work.

What are the study options for this program?

The Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5) offers flexible study modes, including online, part-time, and full-time options, enabling students to balance their studies with other commitments.

Is the Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5) ACECQA-approved?

No, the Graduate Certificate alone is not ACECQA-approved and does not meet teacher registration requirements. However, completing the Master of Teaching (Birth to 5) will enable you to register as a qualified early childhood teacher.

How to apply in 4 easy steps

Step 1

Choose your course

Select your preferred course.

Step 2

Requirements

Check the entry requirements and your eligibility.

Step 3

Key dates

Confirm the key application and enrolment dates.

Step 4

Submit application

Apply and submit your application via Direct Entry.

Apply now via Direct Entry

Who is eligible to apply?

Flinders Online courses are available for Australian or New Zealand citizens, Australian permanent residents, holders of Australian permanent humanitarian visas and Pacific Engagement visa holders.

International students in Australia who hold a student visa are not eligible to apply.

For further information regarding course eligibility, refer to the individual entry requirements for each course.

When do I apply?

You are encouraged to apply as soon as possible and by no later than teaching commencement dates. If places fill, applications for your preferred start date may close without notice and you will be considered for the next available intake.

Semester 1: teaching commences 3 March 2025 – Applications close 28 February 2025
Semester 2: teaching commences 28 July 2025 – Applications close 25 July 2025

Some courses have non-standard semester commencement dates as follows:

February Study Period: teaching commences 24 February 2025 – Applications close 21 February 2025
June Study Period: teaching commences 30 June 2025 – Applications close 27 June 2025
September Study Period: teaching commences 29 September 2025 – Applications close 26 September 2025

Please refer to the individual Flinders Online course for more information.

Other critical and key dates

How do I apply?

Applications are submitted directly with Flinders.

You can apply for up to three courses in order of preference in your application. More information is available in the Application Guide.

Flinders Online Application guide

I've applied - what happens next?

Normally, we will inform you of the outcome of your application within 3-5 working days after submission.

If further information is required, we will contact you via email with details on what is needed and how to provide it.

Are HELP Loans available?

Yes, government-supported HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP loan area available to help eligible students pay for their higher education tuition fees.

HECS-HELP is for students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) to cover their student contribution amount.
FEE-HELP is for eligible domestic fee-paying students to cover their full tuition fees.

Both loans are indexed to reflect changes in the cost of living but are otherwise interest free. HELP Loans must be repaid through the tax system once your income reaches a certain threshold, with payments increasing as your earnings rise.