Graduate Certificate in
Education (Early Childhood)

In this subject students will explore and critically engage with the multifaceted landscape of contemporary early childhood educational contexts. This subject offers a comprehensive examination of the evolving roles, responsibilities, and ethical considerations within the early childhood profession.

Students will gain valuable insights for enhancing their practice through critical reflection and evaluation, fostering inclusion, promoting social justice, and contributing to the wellbeing of young children. Students will investigate various contemporary perspectives and practices that define the professional journey of early childhood teachers and educators. Through a combination of readings, discussions, practical exercises and practitioner inquiry projects students will gain advanced and specialised knowledge and skills in analysing and critiquing contemporary perspectives; navigating ethical frameworks; applying professional standards; advocating for children’s rights; integrating Australian First Nations perspectives; and engaging in practitioner inquiry in early childhood education practices.

Subject Code: EPRO581
Credit Points: 6

In this subject students will explore the dynamic and transformative role of play and creativity in early childhood education. Students will critically examine and synthesise worldviews, theories, philosophies, and perspectives on play and playful pedagogies within the context of early years education.

Students will investigate the multifaceted dimensions of play as a fundamental teaching and learning medium for facilitating young children’s wellbeing, health, development and curriculum provision. This is achieved through exploring the principles of play and learning; embracing playful pedagogies; engaging intentionally in play; interpreting diverse perspectives on play; designing playful curricula; and promoting playful inquiry-based learning for young children. Students will gain expertise and advanced insight in the application of playful pedagogies as a foundation of all teaching and learning approaches; and comprehending that playful pedagogies are more than a teaching technique, they become a deep and transformative educational approach in early childhood curriculum provision.

Subject Code: EPED582
Credit Points: 6

In this subject students will gain insight into the multifaceted world of inclusive education and its vital role in enriching the experiences of all children in early childhood settings. As early childhood professionals, it is imperative to create environments where all children, regardless of their abilities, backgrounds, or circumstances, have the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential.

Inclusive education not only benefits children with diverse needs but also fosters a sense of belonging and respect for differences among all children. This subject is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of key theories, perspectives, practices, and frameworks that inform inclusive education in the context of early childhood education. Students will examine the significance of family, child, multi-and-trans-disciplinary professionals and community perspectives in designing and constructing inclusive educational settings. Furthermore, students will explore the role of educational leadership and scholarship in applying and sustaining an inclusive culture, approaches, perspectives, and teaching practices in early childhood contexts where every child’s unique abilities and backgrounds are celebrated and supported.

Subject Code: EPRO584
Credit Points: 6

In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, early childhood professionals need to equip themselves with a deep understanding of how young children think, learn, and create. In this subject, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the critical role that thinking skills, creativity, and curriculum provision play in the early years context.

As early childhood professionals, students will explore various perspectives and approaches to foster young children’s cognitive development, creativity, and overall learning experiences. Throughout this subject students will examine and synthesise the key areas of thinking skills and creativity; developmental foundations of thinking and creativity; worldviews, theories, and perspectives related to neuroscience, cognitive development, intelligence, learning, executive function, theory of mind, self-regulation, metacognition, and neurodivergence; pedagogic practices, curriculum design and integrated learning opportunities to design and create playful inquiry-based curricula for young children. This subject also challenges students to think critically, engage in reflective practice, and develop a pedagogical toolkit that empowers them to be transformative early childhood professionals.

Subject Code: EPED583
Credit Points: 6