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Professional Certificate: Early Child Development & Contemporary Childhoods

As understandings of childhood continue to evolve, there is a growing need to critically examine how children develop, learn, and experience the world around them. Thisprogramexplores children’s development from birth to 12 years, alongside contemporary perspectives on childhood shaped by culture, identity, place, and social change.

Blending developmental theory with real-world observation and analysis, the program responds to the increasing demand for knowledgeable, reflective practitioners and future educators who can support children and families in diverse, complex, and changing contexts.

Thismicrocredentialwas developed with the support of the Australian Government'sMicrocredentialsPilot in Higher Education. 

Applications for this course are currently closed. To keep up to date onWestern'scourse offerings, please complete the form below.

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DURATION
300 hours across 15 weeks
(approximately 20 hours
per week)

START DATE
2 March

END DATE
14 June

Crayons in daycare.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admission into theProfessional Certificate: Early Child Development & Contemporary Childhoodsyou must be 17 years of age or over; or have completed year 12 or equivalent studies. 

This intake is open to domestic enrolmentsonly, andis not currently open to international students. 

Program structure

  • Module 1: Foundations of Child Development
  • Module 2: Child Development from Diverse Theoretical Perspectives
  • Module 3: Understanding the Social World
  • Module 4: The Child in your Classroom

Live sessions

Below is a list of optional live webinars that provide general course support and Q&A. Dates are indicative and may be subject to change, with access provided to enrolled students through the platform.

  • Webinar 1: w/c 2 March
  • Webinar 2: w/c 23 March
  • Webinar 3: w/c 4 May
  • Webinar 4: w/c 25 May

Who this course is designed for

This microcredential is ideal for learners interested in understanding children’s development and lived experiences in diverse social, cultural, and educational contexts. It is well suited to those considering a career in early childhood education, teaching, or child-focused professions, as well as practitioners seeking to deepen their theoretical and practical understanding of childhood.

Credit pathways

Successful completion of this microcredential may be recognised for 20 credit points towards theBachelor of Arts(Pathway to Teaching Early Childhood/Primary)or theBachelor of Education(Early Childhood)programs.

To be eligible to apply for credit, students must meet the relevant program admission requirements.

Fees and delivery

Fees

This program is free due to in-demand skills and industry needs, backed by government grants. 

Delivery

This program is delivered online through theplatform.

Why choose microcredentials at Western?

Choose Western's microcredentials for their versatility, innovation, industry collaboration, online accessibility, flexible scheduling, relevance to professional development, renowned academic design, and potential credit contribution to qualifications.

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