Entry requirements
Key information
Teach children aged birth to 5 years.
This course brings together theory and practice, preparing you for a career in early childhood settings – such as long-day childcare centres, kindergartens and preschools. You'll gain the skills and knowledge to effectively plan, implement and advocate for transformative teaching and learning for children aged birth-to-five years.
You’ll learn how to enact policies and practices that take account of social and individual differences, ensuring that all children learn in supportive and just environments. Plus, you'll engage in inquiry-led and research-based projects, construct and assess play-based learning for children, and gain an understanding of the importance of all children learning about, and through, indigenous ways of knowing and being.
Whether you hold an undergraduate degree and are looking for a new opportunity, or already working in an early childhood setting and want to build on the skills you've developed in your Diploma of Early Childhood Education, this is your chance to discover a rewarding career in the early childhood teaching profession.
$24,000+ available for those studying to become early childhood teachers.
The QualifySA in Early Childhood Financial Support Program provides eligible students with financial assistance throughout study and into initial years of employment.
Your career
Teaching degrees open the door to a world of opportunities. Graduates of the Master of Teaching (Birth to 5) will be equipped with advanced professional knowledge, and exceptional practice and relationship skills - preparing them to teach children from birth to age 5 years in a range of community settings.
Potential occupations
- Teacher in Long-day Care or Early Learning Centre $88K
- Kindergarten or Preschool Teacher $88k
- Curriculum and Policy Adviser $108K
- Director, Assistant Director or Manager at an Early Learning Centre $100K
- Childcare Centre Manager $95K
- Childcare Educator $68K
*Typical salaries are drawn from a variety of sources, including Seek, Glassdoor and Indeed, and may vary. Please do your own research.
Potential employers
- Long-day childcare centres
- Preschools
- Kindergartens
- Early Learning Centre
- Government
- Not-for-profits
Professional accreditation/recognition
This academic qualification will enable you to apply for registration with the Teachers Registration Board of South Australia. You are advised to check registration requirements as they are subject to change.
Graduates looking for employment in other parts of Australia and overseas may be required to meet additional conditions.
Graduates meet The Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority employment criteria.
Program of study
The Master of Teaching (Birth to 5) is a comprehensive 72-unit program designed to equip graduates with the specialised knowledge and skills necessary for a career in early childhood education.
The curriculum integrates theoretical foundations with practical experience, focusing on child development, contemporary early childhood curriculum, and pedagogical strategies. Students will engage in professional placements within early childhood settings, allowing them to apply their learning in real-world environments. This program meets the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) approval requirements for early childhood teaching qualifications.
- Child Development and Learning in Early Years
- Contemporary Early Childhood Curriculum and Pedagogy
- Foundations of Early Childhood Education
- Health, Safety, and Wellbeing in Early Childhood Settings
- Inclusive Practices in Early Childhood Education
- Play and Pedagogy in Early Childhood
- Assessment and Reporting in Early Learning
- Leadership and Advocacy in Early Childhood Education
- Research Methods in Education
- Professional Experience Placement 1 (Birth to 3)
- Professional Experience Placement 2 (3 to 5)
- Literacy and Numeracy in Early Childhood
These topics integrate theoretical knowledge with practical application to prepare students for diverse roles in early childhood education.
This course includes extensive work integrated learning opportunities, and professional placements in both the first and second year that meet the professional and employment requirements of the early childhood sector in South Australia.
No.1 in SA
for overall experience, skills development and teaching quality
(The Good Universities Guide 2024 (postgraduate), public SA-founded universities only)
No.1 in SA
for learner engagement, learning resources, overall experience, skills development, student support and teaching quality
(The Good Universities Guide 2024 (undergraduate), public SA-founded universities only)
Ranked in the top 2%
of the universities in the world
(The World University Rankings 2023 as a percentage of the total number of universities in the world according to the International Association of Universities)
This course brings together theory and practice, preparing you for a career in early childhood settings – such as long-day childcare centres, kindergartens and preschools. You'll gain the skills and knowledge to effectively plan, implement and advocate for transformative teaching and learning for children aged birth-to-five years.
You’ll learn how to enact policies and practices that take account of social and individual differences, ensuring that all children learn in supportive and just environments. Plus, you'll engage in inquiry-led and research-based projects, construct and assess play-based learning for children, and gain an understanding of the importance of all children learning about, and through, indigenous ways of knowing and being.
Whether you hold an undergraduate degree and are looking for a new opportunity, or already working in an early childhood setting and want to build on the skills you've developed in your Diploma of Early Childhood Education, this is your chance to discover a rewarding career in the early childhood teaching profession.
Flinders offers a vibrant, fun, supportive uni experience you’ll remember for a lifetime.
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Student Clubs
Flinders University Student Association (FUSA) is the heart of the Flinders Experience. FUSA is where you’ll find out about events, club memberships and extracurricular activities.
Campus facilities
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Entry requirements
Applicants must hold a bachelor degree or hold a Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5) or equivalent qualification.
Applicants who hold a Bachelor degree in early childhood education, making them eligible for teacher registration in the same teaching level (birth to 5 years), will not be considered.
Applicants must complete a non-academic assessment task known as a Teaching Capabilities Statement as part of their application to demonstrate their motivation to teach, their strong interpersonal and communication skills, willingness to learn, resilience, self-efficacy, and strong organisational and planning skills. This involves a short statement in response to three set questions used to demonstrate suitability for study and work in the teaching profession.
Applicants who select this course as a preference during the application process will be directed to a page to meet this requirement.
Visit the Teaching Capabilities Statement page for further information.
This course has inherent requirements in the areas of:
- General requirements
- Professional experience requirements
- Skill requirements
For further details, view Master of Teaching inherent requirements.
How to apply
Select your preferred course.
Check entry requirements.
Check individual course entries on SATAC for information on important dates.
Apply online at SATAC.
Apply directly via SATAC
Flinders students can apply to transfer to this course internally. Visit: www.flinders.edu.au/internaltransfer for more information.
Entry requirements
Applicants must have normally completed an appropriate undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification from an approved tertiary institution; or hold a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care or equivalent qualification, with a minimum of three years full-time equivalent work experience in a leadership position in an early childhood setting or equivalent.
Applicants must also complete and pass a non-academic assessment task (Teaching Capabilities Statement) based on the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) requirements for early childhood teaching programs. More detail on this can be found below.
Applicants must complete a non-academic assessment task known as a Teaching Capabilities Statement as part of their application to demonstrate their motivation to teach, their strong interpersonal and communication skills, willingness to learn, resilience, self-efficacy, and strong organisational and planning skills. This involves a short statement in response to three set questions used to demonstrate suitability for study and work in the teaching profession.
Applicants who select this course as a preference during the application process will be directed to a page to meet this requirement.
Visit the Teaching Capabilities Statement page for further information.
This course has inherent requirements in the areas of:
- General requirements
- Professional experience requirements
- Skill requirements
For further details, view Master of Teaching inherent requirements.
How to apply
Select your course.
Check entry requirements.
Check your eligibility for credit.
Obtain certified documents.
Submit your application and documents.