Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care CHC30121

This Certificate is perfect for people who are wanting to start a career as an Early Childhood Educator, as well as for those who are already working in the sector but who need to formalise their qualifications in order to take the next step in their career.  

This course is suitable for those with some childcare experience already, who may be seeking to formalise their knowledge. The course is also suitable for new entrants, as it is direct entry with no pre-requisite subjects. 

During the course, you will learn how to: 

• Effectively and confidently care for children of all ages and support their development during the vitally important early childhood years. 
• Promote safe sleep; provide positive nappy-changing, toileting and mealtime experiences; create a healthy, supportive and safe environment for children of all ages. 
• Care for children from 6 weeks to 5 years, implementing a curriculum in line with the approved learning framework, to support children’s wellbeing, learning and development in all areas (physical, social, emotional, cognitive and language development). This will include preparing experiences, maintaining the general cleanliness and safety of the service and packing away equipment and materials. 
• Promote inclusion and equity when working with diverse children, families and colleagues, including developing good relationships and effective communication. 
• Understand and assist in implementing the service’s policies and procedures, guided by the National Law, National Regulations and the National Quality Standard.

• Multiple choice Quiz
• Projects
• Role plays
• Video - approved simulated tasks
• Livestreams
• Work Placement
• Written assessments

The duration for the course is self paced - maximum of 18 months. As a self-paced online course, the time it will take you to complete is flexible and dependent on ability and time available.

Recommended Local Entry Requirements

Students will need to be at least 18 years old. Students under 18 will need a parent or guardian to complete the parent or guardian declaration on the Enrolment Form.

Students residing in WA/NT under the age of 18, who are not currently studying for their year 12 certificate cannot be enrolled.

Students are recommended to have the language, literacy, and numeracy skills that ensure the ability to read and comprehend technical terms and communicate effectively through email.

These skills are equivalent to:

• Successfully completed Year 12 OR
• ACSF Level 3

Tools, equipment, and skills required:

• Access to up to 3 people to participate in role plays and assessments
• Access to a device with audio & video capabilities to record simulated role-play tasks for submission
• Tripod to provide a stable and secure platform to mount the digital recording device
• Access to office equipment and resources including telephone, photocopier, scanner and printer
• Basic computing skills
• Access to a modern computer with high-speed internet
• Access to Microsoft Office

Additional Requirements:

• Students will need to be physically fit to undertake the work placement as the tasks and activities associated with the work placement may involve manual handling and other physical activities
• Where first aid is a requirement of the host organisation, you will be required to complete 2 minutes of uninterrupted CPR on an adult manikin placed on the floor
  
  

• By undertaking a work placement you’ll get a chance to put the knowledge you’ve learned on your course into practice.
• You’ll also develop practical, on-the-job skills and could make contacts that could help you find a job once you graduate.
• Work placement is often the most rewarding part of a student’s course. Working face-to-face with clients and colleagues in your chosen field makes a huge difference to your career confidence.

Focus on your studies while we handle your work placement. Through our partnership with SkilTrak, our Guaranteed Work Placement ensures you gain hands-on experience in your dream career—right in your local area. Learn more

• Meet with SkilTrak – Their team will discuss your skills, goals, location, and travel preferences to arrange the best placement for you.
• We’ll do the work – While you continue your coursework, we’ll be behind the scenes securing the perfect placement match.
• Get the details – Have a quick chat with us to go over what to expect from your work placement experience.
• Start your placement – Gain real-world experience while we check in along the way to ensure everything is running smoothly.
• Complete your course – Once your placement is done, upload your workbooks, finish your final assessment, and receive your certificate.

The Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) will require a minimum of 200 hours in a regulated Children’s Education and Care Service in Australia operating under the legislative requirements of the National Quality Framework.

These hours will be split into 2 sections:

• 40 hours – Work placement (practice)
• 160 hours – Work placement

There will also be specific assessment tasks including a logbook and portfolios to be completed at the workplace.

Workplaces suitable to undertake SWL include:

• Long day care services catering for children 6 weeks to 5 years of age
• Preschools (You may be able to complete part of your placement at a preschool. You will also need to complete placement at a centre that caters for babies and toddlers aged 6 weeks-24-month-olds, in order to meet the placement requirements).
  
  

For students to be able to undertake the practical component of the course, approved workplaces must be able to provide students with the required equipment, environments, policies & procedures, documentation, appropriate supervisor, and clients. If host organisations are unable to provide the necessary equipment, resources, and access to clients the student may be required to undertake SWL within 2 (or more) organisations.

The workplace may require the student to meet workplace specific requirements. These will vary by state and by organisation. Some of the statutory checks and requirements the student may need to provide to commence work placement are:

• National Criminal Record Check
• Working with Children’s Check (WWCC) or state equivalent
• Code of Conduct
• Confidentiality Agreement
• Occupational Assessment, screening and vaccination against infectious disease
• First Aid Certificate
  
  

Please note that your host organisation may require you to provide an up to date immunisation history prior to the commencement of your work placement. Open Colleges has no control over this requirement so if you are unable to provide this, you will need to discuss it with your intended Host Organisation.

It should also be noted that some immunisations, such as Hepatitis B and COVID-19, need multiple injections to be administered over a specific time period before you are deemed immune. It is important that you consult with your GP as soon as possible to avoid delays in starting your work placement.

Students must be supervised by a qualified staff member when on placement. A Workplace Supervisor must be a qualified educator either possessing a Diploma in the field of Early Childhood Education approved by ACECQA with 3 years’ experience, or a Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood. Exceptions can be made in certain services, such as remote services, where the supervisor will need to be a Nominated Supervisor approved by ACECQA. These requirements are included in the Workplace Approval Form.