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    National code: CHC50121

    Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

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    OverviewAbout this course

    Take the lead in providing meaningful childhood care to babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers. Gain the practical knowledge to become an educational leader or manager in childcare and ensure children receive quality inclusive care in their early years.

    Is early childhood education and care right for you?

    Early childhood courses teach you to provide safe, nurturing, meaningful and inclusive education and care to children to support their development in the early years. That's a really rewarding job.

    Your experience and career goals will help determine the best pathway for you. Watch our video to learn more.

    OutcomesWhat you'll gain

    Learning outcomes

    Through a mixture of theory and practical course work, learn to:

    • Implement creative play strategies for the inclusion of all children

    • Design educational programs that nurture creativity and establish a safe learning environment for all

    • Work in partnership with families to provide appropriate education and care for children

    • Mentor other educators in the workplace

    • Implement child development theory in play activities and across practices in general

    Course outcomes

    Gain practical experience and develop specialist skills that give you an advantage in the job market.

    • Exposure to the industry through 280 hours work placement with a suitable employer

    • Strong team mentoring skills and techniques

    • Knowledge to design programs that focus on nurturing creativity in children

    • A strong pathway to continue your study and enhance your career opportunities

    SuitabilityIs this course right for you?

    Entry requirements

    This course requires evidence of previous experience or study before you can enrol

    • This course is offered as a traineeship. Enquire today to check the eligibility requirements.

    • Successful completion of the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30121) or

    • Successful completion of the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30113)

    • Answer to the following apply question: Can you provide a transcript or certificate of your academic outcome of one of the above qualifications?

    Completion requirements

    During your study you’ll need to provide your teacher with the following evidence:

    • A Working with Children Check (WWCC)

    • Vaccination and health screenings

    • Any additional evidence your work placement provider requires

    Entry recommendations

    To be prepared for this course, we recommend that you have:

    • Patience and enjoy working with children

    • Good organisational skills and the ability to multitask

    • The ability to keep calm in stressful situations

    • Adequate fitness and mobility to deliver First Aid, like performing CPR while kneeling on the floor

    • Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) at a Year 12 high school level

    • TAFE NSW may ask you to complete a Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) skills test. This skills test helps us to understand your individual study needs, to design an individualised plan that supports your study success and ensures your LLN skills match the demands of the course.

    TAFE NSW is committed to meeting the learning needs of every community. Meeting these needs can mean there are additional entry requirements at different campus locations. Check your preferred location for further requirements. If you need help preparing for study, contact us to find out how we can support you.

    PathwaysFuture career and study options

    Career pathways

    Our graduates go onto roles like:

    Child Care Worker

    Child Care Workers provide care and supervision for children in programs, such as long day care and occasional care, in childcare centres, hospitals and educational centres.

    • Full-time share Full-time workers usually work 35 hours or more a week (in all their jobs combined).

      52%

    • Employment size Employment size is the number of workers who do this as their main job.

      33,500 workers

    • Average age This is the average age of all workers in this job.

      35 years

    • Weekly pay Median earnings are shown for full-time, non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate, before tax or any amounts that are salary sacrificed. These figures are a guide to earnings only and should not be used to determine a wage rate.

      $820

    • Average full-time The average full-time hours that people in this role work each week.

      40 hours

    • Skill level rating Skill level ratings are based on the range and complexity of job roles. In general, the higher the skill level, the more formal education and training, previous experience or on-the-job training needed to be good at the job.

      Medium

    • Gender share

      96% female

    • Future growth The Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business estimates the likely change in number of workers in this role, or industry, over the next 5 years. Future growth is the likely percentage change compared to all other job roles.

      Strong Growth

    Other jobs include: Early childhood educator, Lead educator, Early childhood director and Nominated supervisor

    Study pathways

    Take your study further with other courses offered at TAFE NSW:

    Previous study1 Course

    Begin here to gain experience and confidence in this study area.

    Further study0 Courses

    Advance your skills to take your career to the next level

    The Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care does not have any post-graduate courses.

    Related study0 Courses

    Strengthen your expertise and gain specialist skills to expand your employability.

    The Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care does not have any related courses.

    Your experience counts

    At TAFE NSW, we recognise your previous study and work experience. You can apply for recognition of prior learning or a credit transfer with any of our courses. If you're successful you'll get your qualification faster.

    UnitsUnits taught in this course

    Courses are made up of a combination of both core and specialty units. In the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care qualification, you’ll need to successfully complete 15 , including 12 core and 3 speciality units.

    Please note, not all specialty units are offered at every TAFE NSW location. It is highly recommended that you check with your preferred campus for information about the specialty units offered at that location.

    Core units are central to the job outcomes of a particular industry or occupation. These are the units industry has agreed are essential to be capable and qualified at a particular study level.

    • Nurture creativity in childrenCHCECE043

    • Maintain a safe and healthy environment for childrenCHCECE041

    • Implement strategies for the inclusion of all childrenCHCECE046

    • Analyse information to inform children's learningCHCECE047

    TAFE NSW servicesFacilities and support

    TAFE NSW provides support services across all campus locations and online. Whatever your needs or circumstances, we have the people, resources, counselling and facilities to support you in focusing on your studies.

    • TAFE NSW Disability Support Service

    • TAFE NSW Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) support

    • TAFE NSW Aboriginal Support; Learner support (ABE)

    • TAFE NSW Careers, Counselling and Pathways Service

    • TAFE NSW Libraries

    • Scholarship programs – be supported as you explore your talents and fulfil your potential

    • Read&Write literacy and study support software is available free for all TAFE NSW students to use while studying on campus and at home

    • LinkedIn Learning – an online resource which offers innovative courses and tutorials to improve your personal and professional skills

    • Student associations – get social with our student community

    Info sessionsWant to know more?

    There are a total of 5 information sessions planned for this course. They'll take place at different locations across the state.

    You can select a study option below to see the sessions available. Or you can view all sessions related to Education and Training

    Study optionsFind a location to enrol