Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

CHC30125

This page is updated when information changes, but it's always best to talk to your training provider to confirm course details before you enrol.

Overview

Learn to support children’s wellbeing and development in early learning centres while gaining hands-on experience.

This qualification reflects the role of educators in early childhood education and care who work in regulated children’s education and care services in Australia. They support children’s wellbeing, and development in the context of an approved learning framework. Educators use a range of well-developed skills and knowledge using discretion and judgment when carrying out their work in the context of established policies and procedures. They may work independently or under the guidance of others, though in some contexts that guidance may not be on-site.

Early childhood educators work in long day care centres, family day care, pre-schools or kindergartens.

To achieve this qualification, the individual must have completed a total of at least 160 hours of work in a regulated children’s education and care service in Australia as detailed in the Assessment Requirements of units of competency. The total number of hours may be applied collectively across all units of competency that include the requirement for workplace hours.

There are 160 minimum work placement hours required for this unit.

Under the Education and Care Services National Law (as applied in each state and territory) the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) publishes lists of approved early childhood education and care qualifications and information regarding regulatory requirements here: www.acecqa.gov.au.

  • Financial help

    • Government funding is available for this course. Check your eligibility for:

      • Career Start (general)
      • Career Start (traineeship)
      • Free Apprenticeships for Under 25s

      *To be eligible for this funding, you have to do a traineeship.

      Check your eligibility

  • Cost

    Course costs can vary by provider and location. Ask your training provider for a cost estimate.

    • VET Student Loans are not available
    • You may need to pay for equipment or materials.

    To see how government funding could help to reduce the cost of your course, check your eligibility for funding.

  • On-the-job training

    • Completing this course through a traineeship can help you to learn the skills you need.

    This traineeship is available:

    • Child Care Worker

    This course has 160 mandatory work placement hours.

  • Entry requirements

    This course doesn't have any entry requirements. It could be a good starting point for your career.

  • Duration

    You complete this course when you’ve learned the skills, not after a set amount of time. The times shown are estimates.

    • Through traineeship:
      2 years
    • Qualification only:
      1–2 years

  • Delivery options

    You may be able to access this training in these ways:

    • Workplace-based
    • Some classroom learning
    • Part-time available
    • Partially online
    • Practical learning

Course content

This course is made up of units.

All courses have core units—these are mandatory for completing the course. Most courses also have elective units, which you can choose from to suit your needs and interests. Not all training providers offer every elective, so check with your provider to find out which electives they can offer you.

For more information about course content, talk to your training provider or visit the National Training Register.

Unit Unit type
Develop positive and respectful relationships with children Core
Encourage understanding of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples' cultures Core
Identify and report children and young people at risk Core
Meet legal and ethical obligations in children's education and care Core
Nurture babies and toddlers Core
Observe children to inform practice Core
Participate in workplace health and safety Core
Provide experiences to support children's play and learning Core
Provide First Aid in an education and care setting Core
Support children to connect with the natural environment Core
Support children's health, safety and wellbeing Core
Support inclusion and diversity Core
Support the holistic learning and development of children Core
Use an approved learning framework to guide practice Core
Work effectively in children's education and care Core
Attend to daily functions in home-based child care Elective
Comply with family day care administration requirements Elective
Follow basic food safety practices Elective
Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices Elective
Promote innovation in team environments Elective
Reflect on and improve own professional practice Elective
Support the holistic development of children in school age care Elective
Work with diverse people Elective

Job prospects

The Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.

  • Child Care Worker

    ANZSCO 421111

    Child Care Workers provide care and supervision for children in programs, such as long day care and occasional care, in childcare centres, hospitals and educational centres.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate III or IV

Training providers delivering Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

It's a good idea to research multiple training providers to make sure you're getting the right training for you.

This course has a mandatory work placement. Skills Assure Suppliers help you to arrange a work placement. This service may not be available through other training providers.

Showing: 276 providers

How to enrol in this course

To enrol, choose a training provider that offers this course. You can see provider details on this page.

When you find one that you think suits you, visit their website or contact them directly to confirm details like start dates, fees, funding, delivery locations and delivery options.

The provider will guide you through the enrolment process.

Delivery locations can change as students enrol. If you're doing any workplace-based training, like an apprenticeship, this will take place in a different location from your classroom training. Contact your training provider to confirm delivery locations.
Government funding may be available. Contact your training provider to confirm.
Back to top