Early Childhood Teacher Bridging Program 

Centrelink/DHS Approved: Yes
NQF Approved Qualificationt: Yes 
Recognised Australia wide: Yes

Are you a registered primary teacher?

Fast-track a career in early childhood! Now more than ever is a great time to pursue a career in early childhood. The sector is expanding and early childhood teachers are in demand. The Early Childhood Teacher Bridging Program can help you complete a CHC50113 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care within 6 to 12 months, which will enable you to work in a range of early childhood services, such as kindergarten and long day care.

Program Description

ACECQA has determined that registered/accredited Primary Teachers can be recognised as an 'equivalent Early Childhood Teacher' if they also complete a CHC50113 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care. This Early Childhood Teacher Bridging Program (ECTBP) has been developed by the Department of Education (DET) to assist with this requirement allowing registered Primary School Teachers to have as many of their skills and knowledge recognised as possible. Through the ECTBP, eligible students only complete training and assessment in areas that haven't been completed as part of their Primary Teacher qualification.

Entry Requirements

Primary Teachers are eligible to enrol in the ECTBP if they hold all of the following: 

• a primary teaching qualification that includes at least a focus on children aged 5 to 8 years old (e.g. a qualification with a focus on children aged 3 to 8 or 5 to 12) AND
• teacher registration in Australia (called ‘accreditation’ in New South Wales)

ACECQA will also use the above to determine eligibility as an equivalent Early Childhood Teacher.

Recognition Arrangements

The recognition arrangements for this program is subject to ACECQA's approval and in no way is determined by ACCCO. To date...

• This recognition arrangement is in place for any person who completes the ECTBP by the end of 2021.
• All primary teachers enrolled in this program are 'taken to be an early childhood teacher' under the 'actively working towards' provision.

After the end of 2021, this transitional measure is scheduled to cease, however educators who had obtained this combination of qualifications before the end of 2021 will continue to be recognised under this provision.

For all information regarding ACECQA's recognition, please see: http://www.acecqa.gov.au/Recognition-as-an-equivalent-early-childhood-teacher

Important information about transitional prov​isions ending 31 Dec 2021

From 1 January 2022, educators will need to have completed their qualification to be considered an early childhood teacher. To help services and educators understand and prepare for the change, visit the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority​​​.

What happens if existing students don't complete their qualification by 31 December 2021?

 
By the end of December 2021 all students that were unsuccessful in completing the qualification CHC50113 ECTBP will be issued a Statement of Attainment for successfully completed clusters/units only.

All students who would like to continue study in 2022 will need to submit a new Enrolment Form to be enrolled in CHC50113 - Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care –  full course (28 units) please note : Not trained in clusters.

This course will be provided ONLY under Fee For Service arrangements and will be charged full price per individual Unit of Competency (Please find our current prices on ACCCO website).

• For all students re-enrolling into CHC50113 - Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (a full course) on 1 January 2022 will be :

• For current students with Government funding: Clusters/Units that were issued in 2021 or earlier but not completed by student will be not subsidised by QLD Government in 2021. This will mean that the student will need to pay Fee For Service Price for these units.
• For current students enrolled in our Fee for Service arrangements: Clusters/Units which were issued in 2021 or earlier but not completed by the student will be charged additional price (charged per unit – not per cluster) 
• For all non-issued units, they will be charged full Fee for Service price per individual Unit of Competency (Please find our current prices on ACCCO website).
• New Training Plan will be issued to complete this Qualification with remaining units left to complete.
• Previously completed units could be awarded as Credit Transfers.
• New invoice will be issued with adjusted fees.

Approach to Learning and Assessment

DET has recognised all existing skills and knowledge that a registered/accredited Primary Teacher holds in the ECTBP, and grants credits or partial credits for these as a part of entry into the program. This means there is no need for the ECTBP student to apply for further recognition or to prove their existing skills and knowledge. ECTBP students will only be trained and assessed in the areas that have NOT been covered in their primary teaching qualification for this program.

To complete this program...

• The student will complete 6 clusters of learning/assessment as outlined on the column right. Each cluster provides all the learning required, however students will also be required to access the internet for directed research and reading purposes. Assessment is outlined as per 'Assessment methods' in the column right.
• The student will complete the HLTAID004 Provide an emergency first aid response in an education and care setting at any time prior to graduating.
• ACCCO will award direct credit for units CHCPOL003, CHCPRP003, CHCINM002 and CHCECE001. HLTAID004 will also be credited upon completion.

Upon completion of the program, ACCCO will award a CHC50113 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.

Clusters of Learning and Assessment

Cluster 1 - Wellbeing and safety (CHCECE002, CHCECE016, HLTWHS003, CHCPRT001)
Cluster 2 - Provide care and nutrition (CHCECE003, CHCECE004, CHCECE005)
Cluster 3 - Nurturing relationships and responsive practice (CHCECE007, CHCECE020, CHCECE021, CHCECE026)
Cluster 4 - Engage and promote children's learning and development (CHCECE017, CHCECE018, CHCECE022, CHCECE023, CHCECE024)
Cluster 5 - Legislation and service quality (CHCLEG001, CHCECE009, CHCECE019, CHCECE025, BSBLED401)
Cluster 6  - Diversity (CHCDIV001, CHCDIV002)  

To learn more about what is included in the units above, click here and type in the unit code.

Employment Opportunities

The CHC50113 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care qualification provides for employment in the following roles:

• Early Childhood Teacher in ACECQA approved services
• Supervisors in ACECQA approved services

Study Options

The ECTBP is only available via external study (self paced) delivery using the ECTBP materials endorsed by the Department of Education.

Vocational Placement

All students need to be employed or volunteering in an ACECQA approved early childhood service to complete the practical components of their qualification. This will be for no less than 240 hours spread over the duration of the qualification. Placement working with children under 2 years of age is required (minimum of 60 hours with 0-12mths and 60 hours with 12-24 months) the remaining hours can be spread across all ages between 0 - 5years. Actual hours completed is dependent on student capability.

The ACCCO Trainer Assessor may be able to support you to arrange this placement if you don't already have one. Students must have a current Working with Children Check prior to starting placement.

Help and Support

All students in this qualification are allocated an ACCCO Trainer Assessor who will guide them through the qualification. Trainer Assessors are all qualified in early childhood education and have at least 5 years' experience completing the job you are wanting to hold. Trainer Assessors provide regular phone, email and face to face support in the workplace so you always have help when you need it!

Fees

This qualification attracts funding assistance for eligible persons!!!  Funding varies between State / Territories so please check your eligibility requirements for what is available to you in your area.

Currently funding is only available to Queensland residents.

Click for Fees

How to Apply

1. Choose Your Course

Once you have made the decision to apply for a qualification you will need to complete an enrolment form and a Literacy, Language and Numeracy indicator (LLN).

Check you meet:

• Minimum Age Requirement
• English Language & Academic Requirements
• Appropriate Visa Requirements

2. Prepare Your Application

Complete the online enrolment form, and upload details of:

• Colour copy of Passport or Driver’s Licence. (Proof of ID+ residency)                                                                        - If passport provided please provide a copy of a bank statement or utility bill issued within the last 6 months showing your current residential address.

• Colour copy of either: current green Medicare card; Birth Certificate; current Australian passport; current New Zealand passport; or Australian citizenship certificate. (Proof of citizenship)

• Colour copy of your Primary Teaching qualification and Teacher registration/accreditation in Australia.

• Colour copy of Certificates and Statement Results for any previously attained or partially completed qualifications completed in or recognised in Australia.

• Colour copy of any concession cards if held.

3. Process of Your Application

Your enrolment will be assessed on the information you have provided. Upon receiving all paperwork and supporting evidence a formal assessment of your eligibility for government funding and suitability for the qualification is conducted. You will be notified by an enrolments officer on the status of this application once your eligibility has been assessed.

*Please note that we are unable to finalise your enrolment until all required information and supporting evidence has been provided.

4. Letter of Offer

ACCCO assesses the enrolment application. When deemed a successful enrolment application, the student will be issued a Letter of Offer to study with ACCCO. Student reads and accepts the conditions outlined in the Letter of Offer. Student fees are finalised – payment established.

5. Confirm Your Enrolment

If your enrolment application is accepted, you will receive a welcome email with a Confirmation of Enrolment attached, confirming acceptance into the qualification. It is important to check your junk or spam folder as this email can end up here sometimes. If not received, please contact our enrolments team on 1300 139 406 during business hours. Your Trainer Assessor will contact you to undertake an induction and commence the learning program.

Before you submit your application it is important that you provide all the above required documents. Without these we are unable to process your application.

Any Questions?

For assistance with your enrolment, our Enrolments Team are more than happy to help you with any questions you may have. Contact us now and we'll get you started...

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