Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

About the course

UniSQ’s Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care is designed for graduates from any discipline seeking to transition into early childhood teaching. You’ll build practical capability to support children’s development, design and implement learning programs, and create safe, inclusive environments while engaging professionally with families and communities. The course includes 60 days of supervised professional experience across birth–35 months, ages 3–5, and school-aged settings in Early Childhood Education & Teaching.

What you might learn

To graduate from the Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, you must successfully complete 8 units of study.

Career outcome

Graduates may work as qualified early childhood teachers in early learning centres, preschools, kindergartens, long day care services, and family day care settings. The qualification is an approved Early Childhood Teacher (ECT) credential with ACECQA, supporting employment aligned to National Quality Framework expectations. It is not a pathway to primary school teaching, and some jurisdictions may require teacher registration depending on local legislation in Early Childhood Education & Teaching.

Average Salary***

*Source: QS World University Subjects Rankings (2026)

**Source: numbeo.com

***Source: PayScale.com (2026)