Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

CHC50113 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

ACECQA Approved: Yes
Centrelink/DHS Approved: Yes
Recognised Australia wide: Yes

Qualification Description

The Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care is the qualification that ACECQA requires for those wanting to take on higher levels of responsibility and leadership in an early childhood service. It is the qualification for those wishing to lead an education and care program for children before they enter formal schooling.

Employment Areas

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

Lead Educator in long day care, child care centres, occasional care
Family Day Care Educator
Assistant Educator in a Kindergarten or preschool program, working with a teacher
Supervisor roles in ACECQA approved services.
Early Childhood Teacher (for those holding Primary Teaching qualifications. See also the Early Childhood Teacher Bridging Program)
Other education based employers may accept this qualification, such as working as tutor, education support staff or as teacher aides.

Entry Requirements

A good ability to read, write and speak English
A sound ability to apply numeracy
A current Working with Children Check

Learning Areas

Through the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, you will learn what it means to provide a program for babies, toddlers and young children and work in a position of responsibility. There are 28 units of study in this qualification covering topics such as:

Developing, implementing and evaluating learning programs for children
Facilitating children’s holistic development and wellbeing
Managing and maintaining legal and ethical compliance
Leadership and basic management responsibilities

The list of units and assessment methods is found on the column to the right.

ACECQA's "Actively working towards an approved qualification" Requirements

Students wishing to be considered "actively working towards" an approved Diploma qualification for ACECQA purposes may need to show evidence to their employer / prospective employer that they have successfully completed 11 units of this qualification. Students seeking this approval to be eligible to be classified as "actively working towards a Diploma" will need to maintain a current enrolment and be making satisfactory progress in the Diploma. Click here for ACECQA's requirements for this.

Study Options

ACCCO offers a variety of delivery options that allows students to complete the qualification in a mode/s that suit individual learning requirements:

Class: Full Time 48 weeks (or 30 weeks if completed CHC30113) at various locations across Australia. Please contact ACCCO to enquire about timetables and availability
Class: Part Time up to 96 weeks (or 60 weeks if completed CHC30113) at various locations across Australia. Please contact ACCCO to enquire about timetables and availability
External Study: Self paced full time or part time, at a place convenient to you
Traineeships/Apprenticeships: Full time or part time on contract in the workplace
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): Self paced full time or part time

Help and Support

All students in this qualification are allocated an ACCCO Trainer who will guide them through the qualification. Trainers are all qualified in early childhood education and have at least 5 years' experience completing the job you are wanting to hold.

Trainers offer 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!!!
Much of the funding provided by the Australian Government is directed at teaching and learning in higher education through a range of initiatives. Funding varies between State / Territories so please check below for eligibility requirements for what is available in your area.

Please click here or phone ACCCO on 1300 139 406, for fees applicable to you in your local area.

How to Apply

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

You will need to attach the following documents with your application:

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 care; Birth Certificate; current Australian passport; current New Zealand passport; or Australian citizenship certificate. (Proof of citizenship)

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

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.

Please submit your application to enrolments@accco.com.au. Alternatively you can post or visit us.

For more information on how to apply please refer to our Enrolment Fact Sheet.

Contact us now and we'll get you started...
Email: info@accco.com.au
Phone: Free call 1300 139 406
Fill out the web form here: http://www.accco.com.au/contact-us/

Download Enrolment PACK

Units in this qualification

CHCECE007 Develop positive and respectful relationships with children
CHCECE003 Provide care for children
CHCECE005 Provide care for babies and toddlers
HLTAID004 Provide an emergency response in an education and care setting
CHCECE002 Ensure the health and safety of children
CHCECE004 Promote and provide healthy food and drinks
CHCLEG001 Work legally and ethically
HLTWHS003 Maintain work health and safety
CHCPRT001 Identify and respond to children and young people at risk
CHCECE009 Use an approved learning framework to guide practice
CHCDIV002 Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
CHCECE001 Develop cultural competence
CHCECE017 Foster the holistic development and wellbeing of the child in early childhood
CHCECE023 Analyse information to inform learning
CHCECE022 Promote children's agency
CHCECE024 Design and implement the curriculum to foster children's learning and development
CHCPRP003 Reflect on and improve own professional practice *
CHCECE020 Establish and implement plans for developing cooperative behaviour
CHCECE018 Nurture creativity in children
CHCECE016 Establish and maintain a safe and healthy environment for children
CHCECE019 Facilitate compliance in an education and care services
CHCLEG003 Manage legal and ethical compliance *
CHCPOL002 Develop and implement policy *
CHCECE021 Implement strategies of the inclusion of all children
CHCECE026 Work in partnership with families to provide appropriate education and care for children
CHCECE025 Embed sustainable practices in service operations
CHCMGT003 Lead the work team *
CHCECE029 Respond to problems and complaints about the service *

* Elective units

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

Assessment methods:

This qualification is assessed:

In theory, through written tasks such as case studies, questions, activities and/or workplace projects.
In practice, through placement or employment in an ACECQA approved early childhood service by completing workplace tasks and projects. This will be for no less than 240 hours spread over the duration of the qualification. Actual hours completed is dependent on student capability. Placement working with children under 2 years of age is required.

Career Pathways

Some universities offer credit from the Diploma to enrol in Early Childhood teaching qualifications. Alternatively, the CHC60215 Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management is a great qualification for those aiming to hold management position in early childhood services.