Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

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National code: CHC50121 Diploma (TAFE) Croydon, Hawthorn, Wantirna Send me a link to this course

Become an inspiring early childhood educational leader with a Diploma Early Childhood Education and Care.

Develop the knowledge and skills to work across a range of early childhood settings and ignite children’s imaginations by planning and implementing engaging, developmentally appropriate curriculums.

You’ll learn how to communicate effectively with children and families, understand legal and regulatory compliance as well as how to best manage teams and care environments.

Grow your confidence through 546 hours of work placement across the duration of your course.

Upon completing this Diploma you could seek employment as a Team Leader and/or Educational Leader in Long Day Care environments, or in other childhood services such as Family Day Care, Kindergartens or Out of School Care.

Duration

12 months

Intakes

Croydon (July)
Hawthorn (February, July)
Wantirna (July) - View application and start dates

Study mode

Full-time

This course allows you to pathway to another qualification.

This is a nationally approved vocational course that is recognised throughout Australia.

Course information in detail

- Course detail, course structure and units of study.

Course description

The Diploma Early Childhood Education and Care at Swinburne offers practical instruction and workplace experiences that will give you a true understanding of how to contribute in a work environment. It aims to ensure you learn the critical skills and develop the confidence employers will recognise and value. You will learn to plan, deliver and evaluate developmentally appropriate curriculums for all ages of children. This qualification reflects the role of educators in a range of early childhood education settings who work within the requirements of the Education and Care Services National Regulations and the National Quality Standard. Educators holding a Diploma qualification work as Team Leaders and/or Educational Leaders in Long Day Care environments, or Assistants in Pre-school settings. Desirable qualities for this work are patience, understanding, imagination, cheerfulness, energy, adaptability, physical fitness and a willingness to take responsibility.

Student commence with a two week intensive study block and familiarisation placement before converting to our 2 x 2 model: students attend on-campus classes two days per week alongside two days placement for the continuation of the course

Current work placement is 546 hours over the course duration with varied age groups to provide deep immersion in the workplace learning environment.

Course structure

To successfully complete the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, students must complete 15 units (12 core and 3 elective units).

Full -time standard delivery (domestic and international students):

On-campus classes combined with work placement.
Current work placement is 546 hours over the course duration

Units of study

Core Units:

Manage team effectiveness (BSBTWK502)

Maintain a safe and healthy environment for children (CHCECE041)

Foster holistic early childhood learning, development and wellbeing (CHCECE042)

Nurture creativity in children (CHCECE043)

Facilitate compliance in a children’s education and care service (CHCECE044)

Foster positive and respectful interactions and behaviour in children (CHCECE045)

Implement strategies for the inclusion of all children (CHCECE046)

Analyse information to inform children’s learning (CHCECE047)

Plan and implement children’s education and care curriculum (CHCECE048)

Embed environmental responsibility in service operations (CHCECE049)

Work in partnership with children’s families (CHCECE050)

Reflect on and improve own professional practice (CHCPRP003)

Elective Units:

Support the learning and development of teams and individuals (BSBHRM413)

Develop and use emotional intelligence (BSBPEF502)

Respond to grievances and complaints about the service (CHCECE053)

Careers and graduate outcomes

- Career opportunities, course aims and objectives, graduate skills and professional recognition.

Career opportunities

Students who complete this course may find employment in a range of early childhood services, including Long Day Care (zero to six years), Occasional Care (zero to six years), Family Day Care, Kindergartens, and Out of School Hours Care.

Aims and objectives

To equip students with the skills and expertise to work in the early childhood sector in Australia. The objective of the increased placement hours is to build strong graduate capability and employability.

Graduate skills

Students graduate having had significant workplace experience in the field. They will have developed excellent practical skills and a good understanding of the day-to-day requirements of working in the sector, as well as the capabilities to work effectively with children, families and to lead and develop colleagues.

Professional recognition

The course has national accreditation, which allows domestic graduates the opportunity to apply for work throughout most States and Territories of Australia. Domestic graduates of this course are recognised in the award as Level 3 Child Care Workers.

Pathways and scholarships

- Pathways.

Pathways

Pathways allow students to progress from one qualification to another where the first course is recognised as an entry requirement and/or provides advanced standing to the second.

Successful completion of Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care allows you to progress to these courses	Maximum amount of credit available
Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Teaching)	8 units
Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary)	8 units

This information should be used as a guide for those who have completed a course and are seeking credit into another course. For those yet to commence their course, during the time taken to complete, this information may change. Credit available may vary depending on the major selected within any given degree. Progression to professional degrees may be subject to additional criteria or academic performance.

Learn more about pathways.

Course fees and requirements

- Entry requirements and non-year 12 entry.

Course fees

A VET Student Loan is available for this course – allowing you to defer part of your fees if you're eligible.

The maximum VET Student Loan amount for this course is $16,788. You must start repaying this loan once you earn above the compulsory repayment threshold.

Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care Estimated course fees for 2023*
*You will need to pay this amount if you do not* receive a VET Student Loan**	$15,180	$6,960	Yes
You will need to pay this amount if you do receive a VET Student Loan	Fully Covered	Fully Covered	Yes

Estimated course fees for 2023*

For students who are not granted a Skills First government-subsidised place

For students who are granted a Skills First government-subsidised place

Is this a Free TAFE course?

You will need to pay this amount if you do not receive a VET Student Loan

$15,180

$6,960

Yes

You will need to pay this amount if you do receive a VET Student Loan

Fully Covered

Yes

Fees published on this page are estimates only and are subject to change depending on individual circumstances at the time of enrolment. The above fees apply for units studied in 2023 only and may change for units studied in future years. There may be additional costs related to learning material and equipment.

Free TAFE Government-subsidised place
You could have your tuition fees covered thanks to the Victorian Government's Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative when you apply for this course. Check your eligibility now.

This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding.

Skills First Government-subsidised place
You could be granted a Skills First government-subsidised place when you apply for this course. Check your eligibility now.

Concession rates for vocational students
Concession rates for Diploma and Advanced Diploma programs are also available if you self-identify as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent and qualify for a government-subsidised training place under the Indigenous Completions Initiative.

The eligibility criteria are set by the Victorian Government and assessed by Swinburne in accordance with government directives, which are subject to change at any time.

Find out if you’re eligible for a fee concession here.

Full course fee
If you are not granted a government subsidised place, the full course fee will apply. Check your eligibility now.

Indicative nominal course hours: 1,268.

Entry requirements

Academic entry requirements:
All applicants must have completed Certificate III in Early Childhood and Education (either CHC30113 or CHC30121) to be eligible for entry into CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.

If applicants did not complete either CHC30113 or CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care at Swinburne University, they must provide a certified copy of both their Academic Transcript, and their Award with their application.

Students are required to participate in on-campus classes, off-campus excursions and practical placements.

Social /behavioural capability:
Students must be able to communicate effectively with adults and children in both individual and group interactions.

Physical requirement of lifting/handling children safely:
Students must be able to perform the physical activities required to assist a child or colleague in an emergency: an example would be that students must be able to administer CPR for two minutes to a mannequin that is on the floor, as would be demonstrated in First Aid training.

All applicants must obtain a current Victorian Working with Children Check (volunteer or employee) and a current Police Check prior to course commencement.

For placement purposes, immunity to Measles/Mumps/Rubella, and, Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis (Whooping Cough) is required. Immunity to COVID-19 may be required. Immunity to influenza is recommended.