Learn the skills to work with young children
Do you love spending time with young children? This diploma teaches you the skills and knowledge you need to work with young children from birth to five years of age, as they engage in prior-to-school contexts. Through your studies, you’ll learn how to guide children’s learning and development, and how to contribute to their sense of self and wellbeing.
- ^Online with mandatory onsite requirements available from Semester 1, 2022.
Do you love spending time with young children? This diploma teaches you the skills and knowledge you need to work with young children from birth to five years of age, as they engage in prior-to-school contexts. Through your studies, you’ll learn how to guide children’s learning and development, and how to contribute to their sense of self and wellbeing.
In this program you will:
- Develop the skills you need for employment in childcare, long day care or kindergarten settings
- Learn how to design creative, intentional teaching practices using language, play and cooperation
- Learn about child development; care and nutrition for babies, toddlers and children; and working with families, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- Complete 35 days of professional experience placement with babies, toddlers and children in kindergarten
Following successful completion of the Diploma of Education Studies (Early Childhood), you may be eligible for credit into the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood). (Note: you must meet all entry requirements for Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) to receive an offer for that program.)
Career opportunities
Employment in childcare, long day care, or as a family day care coordinator
Post-admission requirements
Students must have a Working with Children Check (Blue Card), or link their existing Blue Card to USC, prior to commencing a professional experience placement.
^Online with mandatory onsite requirements available from Semester 1, 2022.
Program structure
Required courses (9) 96 units
EDU101 Human Development and Learning
EDU103 Teaching with Technology
EDU109 Professional Experience: Play and Pedagogy in Early Learning
EDU110 Engagement and Behaviour in Early Learning
EDU115 Creative Expression and Play through the Arts
EDU116 Introduction to Diverse Learning Contexts(6 units)
EDU117 Introduction to Inclusive Practice(6 units)
EDU118 Foundations of Numeracy
EDU119 English Language and Literacy
Total units: 96
Recommended study sequences
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
- To graduate with the Diploma of Education Studies (Early Childhood) requires successful completion of 96 units. The course design includes seven courses each with a 12-unit value, and two courses each with a 6-unit value
- There are 35 days of Professional Experience (PEx) included in Diploma of Education Studies (Early Childhood). The student is responsible for maintaining a current Blue Card to complete the required PEx days
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods, that may include essays, quizzes, seminar presentations and reports
- The Study Overseas Program is not currently available to students in the Diploma of Education Studies (Early Childhood)
- Cross institutional study is not permitted for the Diploma in Education Studies (Early Childhood)
- It is the students' responsibility to enrol correctly and be aware of the academic calendar dates and the dates scheduled for the Professional Experience (PEx)
- Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning your remaining courses