Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

Overview

If you are interested in furthering your career as a leader in early childhood education this course is for you. Or, if you are already working as an early childhood educator, this course will enable you to upskill your current qualifications to be leadership ready! The Diploma will enable you to gain advanced skills to enable you to assist in developing, implementing and evaluating programs for children in a sensitive, caring and ethical way. You will learn how to supervise staff and volunteers and to work as a director or service manager. The course covers theory and practice, programming and management, work health and safety, professional practice, routines, development, and planning. Career opportunities also exist for childcare centre director and qualified, team-leader positions.

NOTE: Students enrolling in this course must have successfully completed Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30113 or CHC30121). Certified evidence is required. If you have successfully completed an earlier Early Childhood qualification a recognition of prior learning pathway to the Diploma may be available to you. Please check the course information for Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care for further information and to register your interest via the 'Enquire Now' button.

Please note: This qualification is scheduled to be replaced and the information provided here is indicative only. For more information, please see Frequently Asked Questions

Duration

Workplace/blended industry: (currently working a minimum 15 hours in a registered early childhood service, plus ability to attend monthly Zoom workshops online from 6pm, and occasional weekend sessions may occur): maximum 18 months. Traineeship (workplace-based): 15-36 months

Requirements

• Students enrolling in this course must have successfully completed Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30113 or CHC30121). Certified evidence is required.

• Students in early childhood services are no longer required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to attend work/placement on-site. While no longer mandated, individual services will continue to have the choice to require their students/staff to be vaccinated. This is a decision that can be made at a local level based on the requirements of each service, which may impact placement opportunities.

• Successful applicants for this course will be required to obtain a Working with Children's Check for both Victoria (Volunteer or Employer category) and NSW (if working in NSW) and may be asked to apply for a National Police check prior to placement. Please note: Fees may apply to these checks.

• Successful applicants for this course may be required to provide evidence of immunisation records (for placement).

• Early childhood workers are required to have a suitable level of physical capability, including the ability to lift and carry children and babies, sit or kneel on the floor, be able to change nappies, set up play areas and more. If you have concerns about your physical capabilities, please ensure you discuss this in your pre-training review.

Information Sessions

Session dates are now closed.

Our friendly customer experience team are available to answer any questions you may have about the course, your eligibility or how to apply.

Field Placement

All students studying the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care must complete a minimum of 280 hours of work in a regulated children's education and care service in Australia. Students, where possible, can complete the hours in their workplace. If needed students can be rostered to complete a placement in a host early childhood service. (Note this may extend the duration of your course). Field placement allows students to demonstrate the knowledge and skills learned during their studies.

Note: Students in early childhood services are no longer required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to attend work/placement on-site. While no longer mandated, individual services will continue to have the choice to require their students/staff to be vaccinated. This is a decision that can be made at a local level based on the requirements of each service, which may impact placement opportunities.

Assessment

The method of assessment varies and can include (but is not limited to):

• Observation in the workplace or simulated environment
• Written tasks, including quizzes
• Research tasks, including projects
• Portfolios
• Oral presentations
• Group work
• Projects

Other Information

For current information on the qualification requirements for early childhood education and care services please visit the Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) website, https://www.acecqa.gov.au/qualifications/requirements/children-preschool-age-or-under

Skills Developed

• Develop positive and respectful relationships with children and nurture creativity
• Establish and maintain a safe and healthy environment for children
• Foster the holistic development and wellbeing of the child in early childhood
• Facilitate compliance in an education and care service
• Establish and implement plans for developing cooperative behaviour
• Implement strategies for the inclusion of all children
• Design and implement the curriculum to foster children's learning and development
• Embed sustainable practices in service operations
• Work in partnership with families to provide appropriate education and care for children
• Support the learning and development of teams and individuals
• Respond to grievances and complaints about the service
• Reflect on and improve own professional practice.

Certification

By successfully completing this course you will receive a nationally recognised AQF qualification.

Fees

Fees Additional Information

Additional course costs that may apply Please note depending on individual circumstance there may be additional costs that apply throughout the completion of your qualification. These will be discussed further with your Course Coordinator, and may include:

• Working With Children Check
• Vaccination requirements
• Workwear requirements for work placement
• Travel requirements to placement.

The student tuition fees published are indicative only and can be subject to change given individual circumstances at the time of enrolment. Funding may be made available to eligible individuals by State and Commonwealth Governments. If funding is utilised, this may affect opportunities to access additional funding in the future. For more information see 'Fee information and eligibility' under the 'Apply Now' tab on the Wodonga TAFE website. VET Student Loans may be available to eligible individuals, visit https://www.education.gov.au/vet-student-loans to find out more, or view 'VET Student Loans' page on our website under the 'How to Apply' tab.

Materials

• Placement log book
• Placement uniform shirts
• Student name badge

Pathways

Complete your Diploma with Wodonga TAFE and then continue on to university studies with credits towards your Early Childhood Education degree! This allows you to start working in the industry at the end of your TAFE studies; to then advance your skills and knowledge even further and enrol in a degree. With your TAFE qualification you are able to work and gain experience while you study at university. Gain the best of both teaching styles and apply your real-world knowledge in day one of your new career!

Accelerated Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care pathway to Bachelor of Early Childhood Education qualifications Diploma-qualified Early Childhood Educators may reduce the three-year Bachelor of Early Childhood Education to 18 months. If you have a career goal of becoming an Early Childhood Educator and teaching children in the foundation school years, in kindergartens, preschools and early learning centres, the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care may enable you to study and work in industry while completing a Bachelor qualification (subject to Higher Education requirements). While completing the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care qualification with Wodonga TAFE, you will gain advanced skills to assist in developing, implementing and evaluating programs for children in a sensitive, caring and ethical way. You will also learn how to supervise staff and volunteers and to work as an educational leader, a director or service manager.

Careers

Occupational titles in employment may include:

• Authorised supervisor (children's services)
• Children's services coordinator
• Centre manager (children's services)
• Director (children's services)
• Childhood educator
• Group/team coordinator/leader (children's services)
• Children's adviser
• Program leader (children's services)
• Children's service director / manager
• Child development worker
• Early childhood educator

How To Apply

Applying for a course at Wodonga TAFE is a simple 4-5 step process. You can learn more here: Understanding the application process