Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

Training under Smart and Skilled is fee-free and fully funded by the NSW Government. You may be eligible if at least one of the following applies: you are unemployed (whether receiving welfare or not), at risk of losing your job, aged 16–24 years (including school leavers), in receipt of any welfare payment, a veteran or their partner, or employed in aged care, childcare, disability care or digital skill industries. To check eligibility, visit www.smartandskilled.nsw.gov.au or call 1300 77 21 04.

The course is delivered via a blended approach. Most training and assessment takes place in a virtual classroom environment via Zoom, with 2 nights per week of online training. Some practical components are completed in face-to-face sessions. All students are also required to complete 160 hours of mandatory work placement as part of the course.

The course runs for 9 months, with flexible start dates available for domestic students attending 2 days/nights online per week plus 160 hours of mandatory work placement.

Before commencing work placement, students are required to provide a Working with Children Check and a Police Clearance Check. Students must also have a reasonable level of fitness to cope with standing, lifting, bending, twisting and reaching, and be physically, mentally and emotionally healthy to respond appropriately to personal needs.

Upon completion of the CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, students may be interested in completing the CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (107029J) to gain work in leadership roles.