Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
Start Their Future, Shape Yours
Course ID
CHC50121
Study Option
Full or Part-Time
How You'll Learn
Blended: Online & Workplace
How Long
Full-time: 52 weeks - 8 study hrs/week + 2 practical days/week Part-time: 104 weeks - 4 study hrs/week + 1 practical day/week
Practical Hours
Complete 280 hours in a regulated early childhood service in Australia - at your current centre if you’re working, or we can help you find a paid position.
How Much
Scroll down to the How Much section to see the fees for your state.
CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
Interested in supporting the development of young minds? This diploma will open the door to the rewarding career you’re after.
Modelled around the role of educators in early childhood education and care in Australia, you’ll gain the skills to design and implement curriculum that properly support children’s wellbeing and development. Upon completion, you’ll have the ability and confidence to work in early childhood education, as well as supervising volunteers or other educators.
Why choose this course?
Get job ready with hands-on experience and practical skills
Study you way with a mix of online learning and work-based delivery
In-demand qualification with strong employment prospects
Supportive trainers who know the sector inside out
Government funding may be available (check your eligibility using the form below)
Core skills for real-world success
You’ll graduate with strengths in:
Child Development
Understand how children grow, learn, and behave to support their cognitive, emotional, physical, and social development.
Program Design
Plan, implement, and evaluate early childhood education programs that meet individual and group needs across diverse age groups.
Leadership & Supervision
Lead teams effectively, mentor others, and manage daily operations in early childhood settings with confidence and professionalism.
Inclusive Practice Skills
Support all children by creating environments that respect diversity, individual needs, and inclusive learning opportunities.
Health & Safety
Ensure children’s wellbeing by following regulations and best practices around nutrition, hygiene, safety, and risk management.
Family & Community Engagement
Build strong partnerships with families and the wider community to support positive outcomes for children’s learning and development.
Got questions? We’ve got answers.
Find quick answers to common questions about the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care. Need more help? Our team is here to support you — just reach out.
- Educators ready to take the next step into leadership or room leader roles
- Those working in a long day care, kindergarten, or family day care setting
- Anyone wanting a nationally recognised Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care to meet ACECQA requirements
- Child development and learning frameworks
- Curriculum design and program evaluation
- Leadership and team mentoring
- Family and community engagement
- Health, safety, and wellbeing policies
- Managing compliance and regulations
- Inclusive practices and child protection
From this Diploma, you'll learn how to:
- Lead curriculum planning and implementation
- Analyse and apply early childhood theories
- Promote children’s agency and learning
- Support inclusion and collaborative partnerships with families
- Lead compliance with education and care regulations
- Mentor educators and lead a team
- Evaluate learning programs and practice
- Qualified trainer support with regular workplace visits.
- A nationally recognised diploma upon completion
- Access to high-quality course materials
- Workplace experience and mentoring
- Must hold CHC30121 or CHC30113 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
- Basic literacy, numeracy, and digital skills are required
- Access to a regulated education and care service to complete placement
- Access to a computer and internet is essential for learning materials, assessments, and submissions
There are 15 units.
- CHCECE041 Maintain a safe and healthy environment for children
- CHCECE042 Foster holistic early childhood learning, development and wellbeing
- CHCECE043 Nurture creativity in children
- CHCECE044 Facilitate compliance in a children’s education and care service
- CHCECE045 Foster positive and respectful interactions and behaviour in children
- CHCECE046 Implement strategies for the inclusion of all children
- CHCECE047 Analyse information to inform children’s learning
- CHCECE048 Plan and implement children’s education and care curriculum
- CHCECE049 Embed environmental responsibility in service operations
- CHCECE050 Work in partnership with children’s families
- CHCPRP003 Reflect on and improve own professional practice
- CHCDIV003 Manage and promote diversity
- CHCECE053 Respond to grievances and complaints about the service
- CHCPOL002 Develop and implement policy
- BSBTWK502 Manage team effectiveness
It’s not like school — there are no exams. Skills are checked through quizzes, written tasks such as reports or reflections, projects like planning activities or events, role plays that practise real-life scenarios, workplace observations, and feedback from supervisors or mentors.
Depending on the location, state government programs may help cover training costs to make them cheaper or even free. Programs like Queensland Career Boost, NSW Smart & Skilled, SA WorkReady, and traineeships provide this support.
For example, some or all course fees may be covered by government, funding which means paying less overall. To check eligibility for this funding, please scroll down.
If funding isn’t available, ACCCO offers flexible payment options, including:
- Credit card
- Direct debit
- Payment plans
- VET Student Loans
- Lead Educator / Room Leader
- Educational Leader
- Childcare Centre Supervisor
- Childcare Centre Manager (pathway to)
- Early Childhood Team Leader
- Out-of-School Hours Coordinator
Finishing this course opens the door to starting advanced qualifications like CHC62015 or university level studies.
Find the right info for you
Choose your state and we’ll show you the fees and the different funding options available.
I am so happy with the support and curriculum being provided and the in depth learning I have from ACCCO.
Discover what sets ACCCO apart
Since 1996, we’ve been partnering with passionate individuals to help them reach their goals by gaining real-world skills, confidence, and nationally recognised childcare qualifications.
Flexible learning
Balance work and life with tailored study options.
Expert guidance
Personalised training from experienced educators who share your passion.
Award-winning excellence
We take pride in our longstanding history of industry recognition.
We’re here to help
Whether you’ve got questions, are looking to enrol in a childcare course, or would like to speak to a training advisor; we’re ready when you are.
