Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education

• Nationally Accredited: ACECQA-approved and aligned with Australian Government standards.
• Career-Ready in One Year: Fast-track your entry into early childhood education with a comprehensive, hands-on program.
• High Demand, High Impact: Meet the rising need for qualified educators and make a lasting difference in children’s lives.

• Evidence-based practices to support diverse learning needs
• How to build strong relationships with children, families, and communities
• Curriculum design focused on play, wellbeing, and sustainability
• Inclusive strategies for engagement and behaviour
• Legal, ethical, and socially responsible approaches to education

• Work in long-daycare centres, preschools, and early learning services
• Progress into leadership roles such as service manager or centre director
• Establish your own early childhood service with further experience
• Be qualified to work across Australia in ACECQA-recognised roles

Real Experience. Real Confidence

At LIHE, we know a degree is just the beginning. That’s why your course includes a 60-day industry placement—an unpaid, supervised experience that helps you build real-world skills, boost your confidence, and get job-ready.

Already working in early childhood? You may be able to complete your placement at your current job for added flexibility.

Our Placement Advisor will support you every step of the way—helping you find the right fit and ensuring your experience is safe, rewarding, and aligned with your career goals.

Why Industry Placement Matters

Real-World Experience

Put theory into practice and see how early childhood education works day-to-day.

Job-Ready Skills

Build practical skills in communication, teamwork, and problem-solving—exactly what employers want.

Professional Connections

Meet industry professionals, grow your network, and open doors to future job opportunities.

Personal Growth

Gain confidence, discover your strengths, and grow in a real-world setting.

Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education

The Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education is a one-year, full-time program designed to prepare you for a rewarding career as a qualified early childhood educator. This program provides a strong foundation in educational theory and pedagogical practice, equipping graduates with the skills and knowledge to make a difference in the lives of young children and build a successful career in early childhood education services.

The LIHE Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education course is recognised by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Framework Authority (ACECQA) as an approved early childhood qualification for Early Childhood Teachers under the National Quality Framework.

Please note: This course qualifies early childhood teachers to teach from birth to five-year-old settings. These settings are known differently throughout Australia, some as preschools and others as kindergarten. The course does not qualify graduates to teach in primary school settings.

Whilst some Australian states and territories require teacher registration for early childhood teachers, the requirement varies across jurisdictions. A successful determination by ACECQA does not guarantee graduates of your program will meet the requirements for teacher registration in every state and territory. Further information on ECT registration is available on the ACECQA website:

https://www.acecqa.gov.au/qualifications-0/early-childhood-teacher-registration-and-accreditation