Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

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. The total number of hours may be applied collectively across all units of competency that include the requirement for workplace hours.

Prior to commencing work placement, students will be required to undertake a Criminal Record Check (CRC) to obtain a National Police Certificate (students will need to meet the cost of this), as well as a Working with Children Check. While it is not a requirement to hold a current first aid certificate to volunteer in the child care industry, workplaces do have the right to request that a student holds the HLTAID004 Provide First Aid certificate.

A range of assessment and evidence gathering methods and techniques are used including 2–4 or more methods for each unit of competency. These include: Assessment Task 1 – Written assessments including short-answer questions and research tasks; Assessment Task 2 – Practical activity including simulated work practices/demonstrations, Logbook and third-party reports; Assessment Task 3 – Research tasks and case studies; and Assessment Task 4 – Roleplays and presentations.

Entry to this qualification is open to individuals who hold a CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care or CHC30113 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.

A range of support services are available free of charge to students and are confidential. These include counselling (general or personal, support and referrals), study assistance as required, language, literacy and numeracy support, and assistance with accommodating work and study. All students are also required to attend an induction session prior to commencement, where all policies and procedures are explained in full, and any identified support needs will be recorded on the Individual Training Plan.