Foundation Education
The nationally recognised CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care is designed to prepare you for a successful career in Childhood education. You will learn how to develop the knowledge and skills to work across a range of early childhood...
The combined CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care + CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care will earn you the required experience, training and expertise to work in a variety of early childhood education jobs. T...
Gain the skills and knowledge to teach the future leaders of tomorrow! Throughout the course, you will be learning how to develop educational leadership skills, and enable your team to provide outstanding care and education for children, whilst also wo...
The combined CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (Family Day Care) + CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care equips you with the required experience, training and expertise to work in a variety of early childho...
Do you have a passion for educating and shaping young minds? Then consider a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care. Learn the skills to plan, implement and manage programs in early childhood services, in accordance with licensing, accreditation...
Take your career in early childhood education to the next level. The CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care is the qualification that will enable you to build on your knowledge and experience, and move up into a variety of leadership ro...
The Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care qualification reflects the role of educators in early childhood education and care who work in regulated children’s education and care services in Australia. Educators at this level are responsible for...
In Australia, early childhood education is a term that describes formal and informal learning experiences for children under six years of age. It incorporates early childhood education contexts, like preschools and kindergartens, and home-based settings, like child care and playgroups.
Early childhood education aims to develop the skills, knowledge, behaviours and attitudes that young children need to be successful learners and contributors to society. The role of an early childhood educator is to design and implement a curriculum while ensuring that young children have access to safe environments where they can learn through play with other children their own age. The goals of early childhood educators include:
A Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care is a nationally recognised vocational qualification. It prepares you to work with children in various childcare settings, including schools, childcare centres, families and communities across Australia.
The CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care builds upon and extends the skills taught in the CHC30113 Certificate III, which means that as a graduate of the Diploma, you’re ready to work at a high level in the sector. You can go straight into an Educational or Team Leader role in a childcare or family daycare centre, where you supervise staff or volunteers and develop and implement the curriculum. You can also work as an assistant in a preschool. You’re also skilled in first aid and safety and prepared to work within the requirements of the National Quality Standard and the Education and Care Services National Regulations.
You have the option to take this practical, industry-focused course at either a TAFE institution or a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). It includes a total of 15 units of competency, including 12 core units and three elective units, which you typically complete over a year of full-time study (or two part-time). During your study, you also complete 300 hours of work placement to gain hands-on experience and confidence in an early childhood education setting.
Core units include:
Elective units can include:
Different providers offer different electives, so it’s a good idea to check when comparing courses.
Early childhood education and care is a booming sector, with skills shortages and high demand for staff. Because of this, the government is heavily funding qualifications in this area through JobTrainer or state schemes. This means the government could pay for part or all of the tuition fees for eligible students. To find out if you’re eligible for funding, enquire about a course, and the education provider will check for you.
Course fees vary between providers and are affected by several things — such as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or credit transfers, eligibility for government funding, and concessions. You may also be eligible for a VET Student Loan to help you pay for the course over time. Enquire about a specific course to get more information about course fees and specific course details.
New entry requirements for this course came into effect in 2021. These include:
Alternate entry pathways exist for people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
In addition, most providers will require you to get:
You may also need to take a literacy and numeracy assessment and a pre-training interview.
No, a Diploma of Early Childhood Education does not qualify you to work in child protection. To work as a child protection practitioner, you must hold one of the following recognised qualifications:
As a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care graduate, you could be a:
