Diploma of Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5 years) *

COURSE COMMENCEMENT/DELIVERY IS SUBJECT TO (ACECQA) ACCREDITATION
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CRICOS

  • 117469B

Duration

  • 104 Weeks

Intake Dates

Explore this course

The Diploma of Early Childhood Education course (CRICOS Course Code:117469B) is a two-year course is designed to meet the ACECQA frameworks and standards for early childhood teaching program. It also introduces students to the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers at the graduate level. The continuing shortage of qualified staff in the early childhood sector is an important motivation for the necessity and provision of this course, as it would cater to the needs of career changers and help address the critical shortage of teachers in the early childhood sector. 

Why Choose Early Childhood Education?

The early childhood sector in Australia has experienced massive growth over recent years, resulting in early childhood teacher shortages, and posing a risk to the education of many Australian children. In Victoria, for example, reports indicate that the State needs more that 10,000 more pre-school teachers to meet increased demand for early childhood education (Victoria University, 2023). 

This degree aims to equip students with real life problem-solving and decision-making skills essential to accessing teaching careers in private sector organisations, government agencies and the not-for-profit sector, both locally and globally.

Graduates of this course will make important contributions to the development of the early childhood sector and to the preparation of the next generation of Australian leaders. Graduates will also fill relevant vacancies in early childhood services resulting from the shortage of qualified early childhood educators in Australia.

Learning Outcomes

At the completion of the course, students will demonstrate knowledge and competencies at Australian Qualifications Framework level 5. Specifically, the Diploma of Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5) course will prepare graduates to: 

  1. demonstrate understanding of early childhood curriculum and contemporary child development theories and apply them to the education and care of young children across diverse contexts; 
  2. effectively plan, implement, and evaluate age-appropriate, inclusive, and culturally responsive curriculum and pedagogies in keeping with approved learning frameworks to support the diverse learning interests, abilities, and holistic development of young children.  
  3. identify the learning needs of young children and apply effective assessment strategies to evaluate and support  learning and development.   
  4. apply analytical skills and independent judgement to address complex professional situations and problems and generate effective solutions.    
  5. develop culturally competent communication and partnerships with families, communities, and external stakeholders to support children’s learning and development across diverse contexts; 
  6. demonstrate understanding of health, safety, compliance, and ethical issues and apply this knowledge when working with young children; 
  7. engage in ongoing professional learning and development, with a focus on critically reflecting on and continually improving professional practice, and articulating a sound professional identity. 

Modes of Delivery

Each unit in the course will be delivered in a face-to-face mode across 12 weeks. This mode of delivery will enrich student experience and engagement and provide opportunities for developing skills and engaging with content. It will also maximise lecturer-student interaction and facilitate students’ achievements of learning outcomes. Being on campus would enable students to access campus resources such as the library and internet to aid their learning. 

Course Details: Compulsory completion requirements  

To complete the course successfully, a student must complete all 16 units of study or 160 credit points for the Diploma of Early Childhood (Birth to 5), chosen from the relevant subject groups with at least a pass mark of 50% in all units.  

All students must have been formally admitted to the Academy before commencing their degree program. Admission to the course is based upon the ATAR and NAPS’ Admissions Policy. To be admitted to the degree program, a student must meet the following criteria:

International Students

  • Must be at least 18 years of age or older at course commencement.
  • Year 12 Certificate or Equivalent International Qualification.
  • Applicants with Higher Education: Must have undertaken a higher education qualification (or at least a semester of study).
  • Applicants with Vocational Education and Training: must have completed a vocational qualification at Diploma level or higher.


Domestic Students

Current School Leavers

  • Minimum ATAR of 65 (or equivalent assessment in New Zealand or a Higher School Certificate or overseas equivalent.


Non-Current School Leavers

  • Completion of a AQF level 4 or equivalent course; or
  • Previous admission to or the subsequent completion of at least one semester of an AQF level 7 or equivalent course.

Students with Disabilities

The same conditions and procedures apply to the admissions of students with a disability as to all other students, however NAPS fosters an environment of inclusiveness so special measures are provided to support their learning when required and discussed as part of the admission process.


Mature Age Applicants

A student who does not meet the standard ‘school leavers’ criteria may apply for admission as a mature age applicant if they:

  • are 21 years of age or older on 1st March of the year they intend to commence study;
  • do not have the required ATAR for admission to the course;
  • do not have a record of tertiary study; and o Have at least 3 years of experience in

early childhood education and care industry experience; or

  • have completed an approved preparation

course of not less than 6 months duration; or

  • have completed a vocational training course in early childhood education and care and have been assessed by the Dean or nominee to be able to undertake tertiary studies.


English Language Requirements

The medium of instruction in the Academy is English.  All students are therefore required to demonstrate a minimum level of proficiency in the English language to qualify for admission. 

The following criteria apply:

  • students from Australian local institutions such as VET colleges or other higher education institutions must have completed a Higher School Certificate or equivalent from overseas;
  • mature students from English speaking countries must pass an English language proficiency interview conducted by the Dean or nominee;


Language requirements for International Students

English language requirements apply to international applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows:


Minimum Requirement:
Applicants who do not meet the minimum English language requirement may be considered for enrolment after successfully completing an appropriate English for Academic Purposes program accredited by NEAS and approved by the Academy.
Please note: When an IELTS score or equivalent is used, it must have been attained within two years of the application date.
  • IELTS (or equivalent): Overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0


Pathways Exit

Students who enrol initially for the Bachelor’s degree may be eligible to exit with a Diploma of Early Childhood Education after completing the first two years of study comprising of 8 core units (160 credit points). 

Articulation Credit Transfer Arrangements 

A student may be granted advanced standing for an equivalent subject studied in another institution where this unit was successfully completed towards a similar or related degree, or through other significant learning which the Academic Dean (or delegate) considers equivalent.  All credit transfer arrangements will be subject to the NAPS policy on recognised prior learning.

The courses are designed to support students in building an understanding of child development, early childhood contexts, theoretical and practical considerations in working in the early childhood education industry, in consistence with the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) requirements.   Today’s children are tomorrows adults. Early childhood education lays important foundations for subsequent learning in adulthood and a critical aspect of education.  The courses present an exciting opportunity to develop a career in early childhood education and care for the growing demand in Australian and internationally.  Graduates may opt for careers in education and care, health or management:

Education and care

  • Early childhood teacher
  • Early childhood educator
  • Educational leader


Health

  • Maternal and child health nurse
  • Physiotherapist
  • Speech pathologist


Management

  • Early years manager
  • Children’s services manager

 

Each unit is worth 10 credit points. Fulltime students will accumulate 40 credit points every trimester. 

Code

Trimester 1 Units

Prerequisites
ECH101  Foundations of Early Childhood Education

 
ECC102 Health, Wellbeing and Safety

 
ECH103 Child Development

 
ECH104 Early Childhood Pedagogies and Play

 
 

Code

Trimester 2 Units

Prerequisites
ECH105 Ethics and Professional Practice in Early Childhood

 
ECH106 Language and Literacy Development in Early Childhood

 
ECH107 Sustainability and Environmental Education

 

PEX110

20 days

 Professional Experience 1 (3-5 years)

ECH101 Foundations of Early Childhood Education 
ECC102 Health, Wellbeing and Safety 
                                                                                

Code

Trimester 3 Units

Prerequisites
ECH201

 Creativity and Creative Arts*  
ECH202

 Children, Families and Communities  
ECH203

 Documenting and Planning in Early Childhood  
ECH204

 Curriculum and Teaching Approaches in Early Childhood  
 

Code

Trimester 4 Units

Prerequisites
ECH205

 How Young Children Learn  
ECH206

 Diversity, Inclusion and Equity  
ECH207

 Programming and Assessment in Early Childhood

ECH203 Documenting and Planning in Early Childhood 

PEX210

15 Days

 Professional Experience 2 (0-2 years) PEX110 Professional Experience 1 (3-5 years) 
 

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The tuition fee for the program is $10,000 for each trimester. There are three trimesters per year, including the optional summer trimester; or 2 standard trimesters a year.

An application/enrolment fee of $250 applies to enrolment in all courses in NAPS. This fee is non-refundable. NAPS also charges students $250 per trimester for subscription to ebooks and materials. Therefore, before a confirmation of enrolment can be issued, all students need to pay $8250 which is their enrolment plus their first trimester of tuition fees and ebooks and software subscription charges.

Schedule of Non-tuition (Administration) Fees

Application Fee

(also known as Enrolment Fee)

$250

Refund processing fee

$250

Overdue tuition fee – 7 days

$200

Cancellation and

Course variation fee

$150

Overdue tuition fee – 14 days

$400

Transfers processing fee

$250

Change of CoE details

$100

Assessment re-sit or re-assessment

$150

Re-enrolment fee

$200

Replacement qualification testamur

$100

Credit transfer fee per unit

$50

Re-issue of record results

$50

Deferral of initial enrolment

$0

Deferral of conntinuining enrolment

$0

Materials and ebook and software subscription per trimester

$250

 

 

Note that the fees quoted are for the current calendar year only.  NAPS reviews its fees every year calendar year. NAPS may apply the revised fees in subsequent calendar years. The increase in fees for each calendar year will be no more than 5%

All students at NAPS must pay their fees in advance on a trimester by trimester basis at least two weeks before the start of the trimester. Students will receive written notices of their next fee due date about four weeks before the completion of the existing trimester.

If the tuition fee is not paid on time, then a late payment fee may apply as follows:

  • More than 7 days overdue $200
  • More than 14 days overdue $400

Should an international student's fees be more than 14 days overdue, NAPS will inform the student that NAPS' needs to report them for non-payment of fees to The Department of Home

Affairs.

The payment of all fees and charges is receipted and dated at the time of payment. It is secured for two years after the student ceases to be a student and is kept within the financial management system software for up to five years.

Students can see the details of their payments made and any amounts owing on the student portal.

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