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. They support children’s wellbeing, and development in the context of an approved learning framework. Educators use a range of well-developed skills and knowledge using discretion and judgment when carrying out their work in the context of established policies and procedures. They may work independently or under the guidance of others, though in some contexts that guidance may not be on-site.
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 160 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: 119662G
Mode of Delivery: Face-to-face
Total Core Units: 15
Total Electives Units: 2
Placement: 160 hours Work Placement (Compulsory)
Location of course: Level 3, 123 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Total Course Duration: 52 weeks ( Including Term Breaks )
Total Course Fee: AUD 17,000
Tuition Fee: AUD 15,000
Material Fee: AUD 1,800
Application Fee: AUD 200 (Non-refundable)
Entry Requirements
There are no pre-requisites for any of the units of competency contained within this qualification. The intended international learners are required to demonstrate that they:
• Have successfully completed Australian year 10 equivalent or higher.
• 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 Facilities
• 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 requirements:
• Student must have access to working PC or laptop to meet study requirements.
• Student must have access to working internet.
• Student must have sound digital literacy.
Pathways
Academic pathways:
The further study pathways available to students who undertake this qualification include:
• CHC50125 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
• CHC50221 Diploma of School Age Education and Care.
Employment Pathways:
• Childcare Worker
• Family Day Care worker
• Childhood Educator Assistant
Course Structure:
A total of 17 Units (15 Core and 2 electives) must be completed and deemed competent to achieve the qualification Certificate III in 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 17 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.