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 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.
No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.
Under the Education and Care Services National Law (2011) 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.
Qualification CRICOS Code: 118650H
Mode of Delivery: Face-to-face
Total Core Units: 12
Total Electives Units: 3
Placement: 280 hours of practical placement(Compulsory)
Location of course: Level 3, 123 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Total Course Duration: 78 weeks ( Including Term Breaks )
Total Course Fee: AUD 24,500
Tuition Fee: AUD 22,500
Material Fee: AUD 1,800
Application Fee: AUD 200 (Non-refundable)
Entry Requirements
• Hold a CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care or
• CHC30113 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.
In addition to above, the intended learners are also required to demonstrate that they:
• Have demonstrated an IELTS level at score of least 6.0 or equivalent (test results must be no more than 2 years old) or demonstration of successful completion of at least General English at Advanced Level or English for Academic Purposes Advanced level.
• Have successfully completed Australian year 12 or equivalent.
• Are at least at age of 18 at the time of commencement of the course.
• LLN and Pre-training review are required to be completed to assist in identifying whether this qualification is appropriate for the education and employment aspirations of the target learner and to identify student’s needs for additional support during their study.
• Have Working with Children Check prior to the commencement of practical placement. This is to be obtained by students at their own cost.
• Student must obtain a valid AFP National Police Check certificate with no criminal records reported/recorded prior to the commencement of practical placement. These documents are to be obtained by students at their own cost.
• Vaccination requirements COVID-19 vaccination requirements across a range of high-risk settings have eased. There are no Public Health Directions in affect requiring you to be vaccinated in high risk settings. However, decisions on mandatory vaccinations will be made by the owner or operator of these settings. Some facilities may also mandate the number of vaccinations required. These requirements will be provided to the student, prior to arrangements being made for the completion of the vocational work placement.
• It is recommended that you undertake screening for vaccination (and meet any costs incurred) against the following Victoria Health Mandatory vaccination requirements:
• Up to date COVID-19 Vaccination may be required at Victoria Health Faclities
• Hepatitis A and B
• Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) (persons born during or since 1966 who have only received one dose of the MMR vaccine should have a second dose)
• Chickenpox (if not previously infected)
• Pertussis (whooping cough -an adult booster dose)
• Influenza (annual vaccination)
Please Note:
Additional entry requirements:
• Students must have access to working PC or laptop to meet study requirements.
• Students must have sound digital literacy and access to working internet.
• Student must be able to attend scheduled theory classes and classes to be conducted in simulated environment (Original Schedule may be varied during Covid-19 restrictions as per the advice from State/Federal Government.
• Practical must be completed at Unity Skills College of Health T/A Penfold College facilities or as advised otherwise.
The further study pathways available to students who undertake this qualification include:
• Degree in Early Childhood Education (Higher Education Sector)
Pathways
Pathway
Employment Pathways:
• Child Care Worker
• Program Leader (Children's Services)
• Supervisor (Children's Services)
• Children's Adviser
Course Structure:
A total of 15 Units (12 Core and 3 electives) must be completed and deemed competent to achieve the qualification Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care. Participants who achieve competency in any unit/ s will receive a Statement of Attainment (provided USI is verified) for that unit/s without completing all 15 units in the qualification. Students completing all the required units of competency will attain full qualification.
The Performance Evidence in the units marked with a * include tasks which explicitly need to be assessed during the work placement. In order to be deemed competent in the unit of competency, the student must satisfactorily complete the workplace-based assessment. Should in case the workplace-based assessment is assessed as not-satisfactory, the student will not be able to achieve competency and the qualification cannot be issued. An estimate of 5 hours per unit is allocated for workplace assessment and is included in the work placement hours. Please refer to the individual assessment kit for further details. According to CHC implementation guide, the total number of hours may be applied collectively across all units of competency that include the requirement for workplace hours
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)/ Credit Transfer (CT)
Unity Skills College of Health will offer Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer (CT) to all prospective students through the enrolment process. Unity Skills College of Health has documented policies and procedures for these processes and students are provided details of how to apply for RPL or Credit Transfer through the enrolment process. For further details, please refer to RPL and Credit Transfer Policy and Procedure.