Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

If you’re interested in working in a care setting involving children’s learning and creating a healthy environment for young children, then a diploma of early childhood education and care could be the perfect course for you! Become work ready through a range of subjects based on an approved learning framework that will prepare you for a lifelong career caring for and educating children.

What is a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care? (CHC50113)

A diploma is one of the highest levels of education you can achieve without entering into a university-level study, surpassed only by an advanced diploma within the TAFE environment. A diploma can be completed as a standalone study, after a Certificate III or IV, or as a pathway to a university course. 

Early Childhood usually covers the ages of birth to eight years of age, and education and care covers a range of areas, from children’s play with one another and interaction with toys and other stimuli to understanding numeracy and literacy.

During a CHC50113 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, you’ll be required to complete a number of core units and elective units that cover everything from early childhood services to attaining a working with children check. Some of these subjects (including their course code) may be:

• HLTAID004 First Aid Course for Teachers and Carers
• CHCECE016 Establish and Maintain a Healthy Environment for Children
• CHCECE017 Foster the Holistic Development and Wellbeing of the Child in Early Childhood
• CHCECE018 Nurture Creativity in Children 
• CHCECE019 Facilitate Compliance in an Education and Care Setting
• CHCECE020 Establish and Implement Plans for Developing Cooperative Behaviour 
• CHCDIV002 Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Cultural Safety 
• CHCECE001 Develop Cultural Competence 
• CHCECE003 Provide Care For Children 
• CHCECE004 Promote and Provide Healthy Food and Drinks
• CHCECE005 Provide Care For Babies and Toddlers
• CHCECE007 Develop Positive and Respectful Relationships with Children
• CHCECE009 Use an Approved Learning Framework to Guide Practice 
• CHCECE021 Implement Strategies for the Inclusion of All Children
• CHCECE022 Promote Children’s Agency 
• CHCECE023 Analyse Information to Inform Learning
• CHCECE024 Design and Implement the Curriculum to Foster Children’s Learning and Development
• CHCECE025 Embed Sustainable Practices in Service Operations
• CHCECE026 Work in Partnership with Families to Provide Appropriate Education and Care for Children 
• CHCLEG001 Work Legally and Ethically 
• CHCPRT001 Identify and Respond to Children and Young People at Risk 
• HLTWHS003 Maintain Work Health and Safety 
• CHCECE002 Ensure the Health and Safety of Children 
• CHCPRP003 Reflect and Improve Own Professional Practice 
• CHCMGT003 Lead the Work Team

What you’ll learn

Some of the learnings that you may acquire throughout this course include, learning how to develop cultural competence, provide care for children, babies and toddlers, nurture creativity in children, identify and respond to children at risk and maintain work health and safety.

Why study a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care?

A Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care clearly demonstrates to employers that you understand the theory of the work that you’ll be undertaking. Depending on which RTO you do your course through, you may have also had the opportunity to undertake varying degrees of work experience, including a traineeship or other work placement. A diploma shows that you’re either ready to start work, or can be used as recognition of prior learning in order for you to undertake further study, such as a bachelor of education. 

How to study

There is a range of options for Early Childhood Education and Care. If you don’t meet the current entry requirements, you could consider completing another study first or organising a credit transfer. If you’ve already worked in the industry in something like a family daycare or community services, then some RTO’s will consider your previous experience as equivalent. International students should inquire with CRICOS to ensure that they’re eligible for courses.

There are a number of part-time study options available for students who already have a significant workload or other commitments, as well as full-time options for those who want to start working in children’s services asap.  Course fees, tuition fees, payment options, start dates all vary depending on the facility. 

If you want to work in Australian child care, then a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care could be perfect for you! Enquire about a specific course above to get started!