Explore your career in

Early Childhood Education

Explore your career in

Early Childhood Education

Apply for study in 2025

There has never been a better time to become an early childhood teacher.

Flinders offers a range of in person and online study pathways into early childhood education for people in various stages of their lives and careers, recognising the importance of quality education in the initial years of young children's lives. Pathways are available for school leavers, career changers, registered teachers and current early childhood educators who want an early childhood teacher qualification. Financial support opportunities are also available to people studying early childhood education.

Early childhood teacher employment set to increase by 8.6% over 10 years.

^{(Jobs and Skills Australia, 2024 Employment projections for the ten years to 2034).}

Which early childhood degree is right for you?

I have finished year 12 and have not done any further study.

Study options

Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5)

The Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5) prepares you to teach in early childhood education settings such as preschools, kindergartens and early learning centres. This is a 3 year degree is available at our Bedford Park campus, City campus and online.

Study in-person

Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to 8)

The Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to 8) prepares you to teach in both early childhood education settings and early primary school. This is a 4 year degree is available at our Bedford Park campus and City campus.

Study in-person

I have already completed an undergraduate degree.

Study options

Master of Teaching (Birth to 5)

The Master of Teaching (Birth to 5) prepares you to teach in early childhood education settings such as preschools, kindergartens and early learning centres. This is a 2 year degree is available at our Bedford Park campus and online.

Study in-person

Study online

Master of Teaching (Early Childhood)

The Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) prepares you to teach in both early childhood education settings and early primary school (from birth to 8). This is a 2 year degree is available at our Bedford Park campus.

Study in-person

I have a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care, 5 years of experience in early learning settings with some leadership experience.

Study options

Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5)

The Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5) is a 6 month qualification, which acts as a pathway for those with prior learning and experience into the Master of Teaching (Birth to 5). If you have completed a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care and have 5 years of experience in early learning setting, with some leadership experience, this is your pathway into the master's degree. This degree is available at our Bedford Park campus and online.

Study in-person

Study online

I have a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care, but less than 5-years' experience in early learning settings.

Study options

Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5)

The Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5) prepares you to teach in early childhood education settings such as preschools, kindergartens and early learning centres. This is a 3 year degree is available at our Bedford Park campus, City campus and online.

Complete this degree in just 2 years
If you hold a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care, you could be eligible for 1 year of credit for this degree. Find out how to apply for credit transfer.

Study in-person

Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to 8)

The Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to 8) prepares you to teach in both early childhood education settings and early primary school. This is a 4 year degree is available at our Bedford Park campus and City campus.

Complete this degree in just 2 years
If you hold a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care, you could be eligible for 1 year of credit for this degree. Find out how to apply for credit transfer.

Study in-person

I am already a qualified and registered teacher (primary, middle or secondary), and want to reskill to teach in the early years.

Study options

Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5)

The Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5) is a 1 year qualification for those who already hold teacher registration but wish to transition into working in early childhood settings such as preschools, kindergartens and early learning centres. This degree is only available online

Study online

Why choose Flinders for Early Childhood Education?

No.1 in SA in Education & Training for learning resources, overall educational experience and teaching quality.

^{(The Good Universities Guide 2025 (undergraduate), public SA-founded universities only)}

5 stars in Education & Training for learning resources and teaching quality.

^{(The Good Universities Guide 2024 (postgraduate))}

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)}

Financial support

Early Childhood Education is a high priority for the South Australian Government, following the Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care. By 2032, the Royal Commission estimated that the state will need 800 more teachers and 880 additional educators to staff preschools, long day care, and family day care programs.

Financial support of up to $25,000 is available for those studying eligible Birth to 5 degrees via the State Government’s QualifySA in early childhood funding support program. The program is open to school leavers, career changers, current students and early childhood educators who are looking to upskill.

Also, Commonwealth Government scholarships of up to $40,000 per student are available for new full-time undergraduate teaching students and up to $20,000 for new full-time postgraduate teaching students). Note this Commonwealth funding is not available for Birth to 5 degrees.

From July 2025, if you’re eligible, you may be able to access up to $319.50 per week during your placement through the Commonwealth Prac Payment. This payment is benchmarked to the single Austudy rate and is means-tested to provide support to students who need it most.

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

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

1300 354 633

Book a chat

Apply for study in 2025

Explore your career in

Early Childhood Education

Explore your career in

Early Childhood Education

Early childhood teacher employment set to increase by 8.6% over 10 years.

^{(Jobs and Skills Australia, 2024 Employment projections for the ten years to 2034).}

Which early childhood degree is right for you?

I have already completed an undergraduate degree.

I have a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care, 5 years of experience in early learning settings with some leadership experience.

I have a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care, but less than 5-years' experience in early learning settings.

I am already a qualified and registered teacher (primary, middle or secondary), and want to reskill to teach in the early years.

Why choose Flinders for Early Childhood Education?

No.1 in SA in Education & Training for learning resources, overall educational experience and teaching quality.

^{(The Good Universities Guide 2025 (undergraduate), public SA-founded universities only)}

5 stars in Education & Training for learning resources and teaching quality.

^{(The Good Universities Guide 2024 (postgraduate))}

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)}

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Follow Flinders

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Explore your career in

Early Childhood Education

Explore your career in

Early Childhood Education

Early childhood teacher employment set to increase by 8.6% over 10 years.

(Jobs and Skills Australia, 2024 Employment projections for the ten years to 2034).

Which early childhood degree is right for you?

I have already completed an undergraduate degree.

I have a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care, 5 years of experience in early learning settings with some leadership experience.

I have a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care, but less than 5-years' experience in early learning settings.

I am already a qualified and registered teacher (primary, middle or secondary), and want to reskill to teach in the early years.

Why choose Flinders for Early Childhood Education?

No.1 in SA in Education & Training for learning resources, overall educational experience and teaching quality.

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

5 stars in Education & Training for learning resources and teaching quality.

(The Good Universities Guide 2024 (postgraduate))

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)

Information for

Directories

Follow Flinders

FOREVER FEARLESS

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^{(Jobs and Skills Australia, 2024 Employment projections for the ten years to 2034).}

^{(The Good Universities Guide 2025 (undergraduate), public SA-founded universities only)}

^{(The Good Universities Guide 2024 (postgraduate))}

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