Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

CHC50125

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 plan and support early learning programs. Build real skills to guide children’s growth in childcare settings.

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. Educators at this level are responsible for designing and implementing curriculum that meets the requirements of an approved learning framework and for maintaining compliance in other areas of service operations. They use specialised knowledge and analyse and apply theoretical concepts to diverse work situations. They may have responsibility for supervision of volunteers or other educators.

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 280 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 280 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: .

  • Financial help

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

      • Career Boost (general)
      • Career Boost (apprenticeship)
      • Free Apprenticeships for Under 25s

      *To be eligible for this funding, you have to do an apprenticeship.

      Check your eligibility

  • Cost

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

    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 an apprenticeship can help you to learn the skills you need.

    This apprenticeship is available:

    • Children Services (Para-Professional)

    This course has 280 mandatory work placement hours.

  • Entry requirements

    This course has entry requirements. See more information at the National Training Register

  • Duration

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

    • Through apprenticeship:
      3 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
Analyse information to inform children's learning Core
Embed environmental responsibility in service operations Core
Facilitate compliance in a children's education and care service Core
Foster holistic early childhood learning, development and wellbeing Core
Foster positive and respectful interactions and behaviour in children Core
Implement strategies for the inclusion of all children Core
Maintain a safe and healthy environment for children Core
Manage team effectiveness Core
Nurture creativity in children Core
Plan and implement children's education and care curriculum Core
Reflect on and improve own professional practice Core
Work in partnership with children's families Core
Develop and implement policy Elective
Develop and use emotional intelligence Elective
Establish innovative work environments Elective
Foster holistic learning, development and wellbeing for school age children Elective
Lead the work team Elective
Manage and promote diversity Elective
Manage business operational plans Elective
Meet community information needs Elective
Plan service and supports for children and families Elective
Promote equity in access to the service Elective
Research and apply evidence to practice Elective
Respond to grievances and complaints about the service Elective
Support the learning and development of teams and individuals Elective
Use collaborative practices to uphold child protection principles Elective

Job prospects

The Diploma of 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 Diploma of 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: 252 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.
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