Foundation Education
Early Childhood Educator working with children

CHC50121

Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

Build on your experience as an early childhood educator and gain the skills you need for the next phase of your career.

FE_Dec_EarlyBird_[DESKTOP]FE_Dec_EarlyBird_[MOBILE]

Broaden your opportunities with a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

If you’re already working in a childcare setting, this advanced qualification will give you the skills you need to progress your career and become eligible for more senior roles.

By completing a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, you’ll be able to build on the experience you already have, and develop the skills you need to design and implement early childhood education and care programs. You’ll learn how to build a positive culture and lead teams in the workplace. You’ll develop the skills required to nurture creativity in children, to work in partnership with children’s families, and much more. 

Your career opportunities will expand once you have achieved this qualification. Graduates will be eligible for a variety of roles in early childhood education such as Lead Educator, Group Leader or Childcare Director.  

With the need for childcare expected to expand over the coming years, a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care will help you establish a long-lasting and rewarding career as an early childhood educator and a leader.  

The Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care is delivered online and includes 280 hours of practical placement work in a regulated children’s education and care service in Australia. 

The CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care is a Nationally Recognised course.

Course Outcomes

The opportunities available to you upon completion of the CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care will be leadership roles of varying degrees that can enable you to continue to develop your own skills as well as enrich the careers of others you may mentor. The below roles are just some of the potential course outcomes.

Group_Leader

Group Leader

A Child Care Group Leader takes responsibility for the planning, implementation and evaluation of the daily education program. As Group Leader, you will lead the preparation of materials and equipment to support children’s learning, play and development. You’ll also be responsible for monitoring, assessing and documenting the children's individual progress. You’ll ensure the health and safety of children, support the inclusion of all children and develop positive and respectful relationships with the children in your care. 

Childcare_Director

Childcare Director

As Childcare Director, you’ll occupy the most senior position at a childcare centre and be responsible for managing the day-to-day operations. You’ll ensure a safe and educational environment for young children, manage childcare educators, develop learning programs in coordination with your team and communicate with parents. Your key duties will include the overall planning, administration, marketing and resourcing of the centre. 

Educational_Leader

Educational Leader

The role of Educational Leader within an early childhood learning environment is primarily about guiding and developing educators’ and families’ understandings about play and leisure-based learning, and the significance of the early years in the education continuum for children. 

Assistant_Director

Assistant Director

In the role of Assistant Director to the Childcare Director, you’ll support in the running of operations and the overall leadership of the Centre. You’ll have the opportunity to work closely with the Centre Director and hone your leadership skills, as you manage and mentor a team of educators in their work with children and families. 

Lead_Educator

Lead Educator

The role of Lead Educator will vary depending on the educational environment, but in general, you will be developing and delivering a quality education program and practice and supporting children to participate in the program. You’ll work closely with the Childcare Director or Childcare Manager, and establish positive relationships with children and families. You’ll also coach and supervise other Educators.  

Education

Entry to this qualification is open to individuals who hold a:

Your skills and capabilities to undertake this training product will be assessed, and advice on suitability will be provided during the pre-enrolment process. 

Minimum Age

If you are under the age of 18 years, you are required to provide signed consent of a parent or guardian to enrol in this qualification.  

Residency Status

You will need to be a permanent Australian resident or equivalent.  

Assessment items   

Assessments may include a range of assessments, including quizzes, knowledge questions, case studies, workplace projects, and videos.

Work Placement

Where required, we may assist you in identifying work placement options. 

Working with Children Check

You must apply for your Working with Children Check at course commencement.

Assessment Requirements

For certain units of competency, you must submit a video record of yourself performing the required practical tasks.

Assessments will include a range of quizzes, knowledge questions and case studies. Students will also need to undertake workplace projects and observations and will be required to submit video evidence of their learnings.

Video

Students are presented with tasks and scenarios that must be performed and recorded in the workplace involving interaction with school students, families, and colleagues in keeping with industry requirements.

Knowledge questions

Students are presented with short-answer questions relative to what they have learnt within the unit.

Project

Students are presented with a project relative to what they have learnt within the unit, leading to an in-depth exploration of a topic or field.

Case study

Students are given a scenario and asked to respond as the circumstances change. The assessor looks at how the student effectively manages a range of situations and applies their knowledge to each one.

Quiz

Quizzes may include multiple choice, matching, and true/false questions. They are designed to test the students’ knowledge of a particular topic or subject. 

Assignment

Students are presented with an assignment relative to what they have learnt within the unit. The tasks are designed to simulate real-life situations and scenarios within the industry.

Practical

The practical component is designed to assess the student in a real/simulated environment and may contain logbooks or observation checklists.

Given that some students may already be able to demonstrate their competence in some units, a recognition of prior learning (RPL) assessment process may be available to students to recognise skills and knowledge that may have been gained through formal and informal training and/or learning, work experience and life experience.

Foundation Education offers a range of government subsidy schemes that may make your education journey more affordable. Explore the government funding programs on offer and discover whether you’re eligible here.

Course snapshot
Qualification

Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

Delivery structure

Theoretical Elements: 

Study the theoretical elements of this course, anywhere and anytime through our online learning platform. 

Practical Elements: 

For mandatory work placement (280 hours), students must have access to a regulated education and care provider in Australia, with an appropriate range of work tasks and ratios of children, AND access to a qualified supervisor (i.e. a person who holds a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care or equivalent).  

Duration

Up to 18 months

Study load
  • 280 hours of practical work placement.
  • 15 course units to complete.
  • Submit 1 course unit every 5 weeks to graduate in 18 months.
Nationally Recognised Training Logo

Delivery Structure

Studying the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care with Foundation Education is flexible and can be tailored to suit your needs. The course is broken down into two parts:

Lightbulb Icon

1. Theoretical

Study the theoretical elements of this course, anywhere and anytime through our online learning platform.

Components

Award Icon
15 course units to complete.
Computer Icon
Completed online, at your own pace.

Resources required

For the online part of the course, you’ll need regular access to:

Computer: Laptop or desktop computer with working speakers or headphone points.

Internet: High-speed internet such as Broadband or ADSL, T1/T2, fibre optic (Dial-up access is not recommended).

Windows: Operating system – Windows 8 or above.

MAC: Operating system - OS X 10.14 Mojave or later.

Internet browser: Google Chrome, or Microsoft Internet Explorer 11.

Software: Flash, Adobe Reader, Microsoft Word (or Open Office which is free to download).

Office equipment:  Printer and scanner to print and upload some of your assessments.

Mobile phone with video capability or video camera: Some assessments in your course may require you to take and submit videos of you undertaking tasks for assessment.

Practical Icon

2. Work Placement

For mandatory work placement (280 hours), students must have access to a regulated education and care provider in Australia, with an appropriate range of work tasks and ratios of children, AND access to a qualified supervisor (i.e. a person who holds a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care or equivalent). 

Components

Check Icon
Students must apply for their Working with Children Check at course commencement.
Work Placement Icon
Where required, we may assist you in identifying work placement options.
FE_Partner Page_[DESKTOP]-ECECPARTNERFE_Partner Page_[MOBILE]-ECECPARTNER

Units

Achieve your qualification by completing the following units of competency:

Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to lead teams in the workplace and to actively engage with the management of the organisation. The unit applies to individuals working at a managerial level who lead and build a positive culture within their work teams.

At this level, work will normally be carried out using complex and diverse methods and procedures requiring the exercise of considerable discretion and judgement. It will also involve using a range of problem solving and decision-making strategies. No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

The unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge to monitor and maintain health and safety in the areas of individual health, hygiene, infectious disease, supervision, risk management, incident and emergency management. It includes the ability to contribute to the ongoing improvement of workplace health and safety policies and procedures.

This unit applies to educators who implement and monitor practices according to established service policies and procedures in a regulated children’s education and care service in Australia. They may also provide guidance to other workers. The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice. No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to foster and enhance the holistic learning, development and wellbeing of children from birth to six years of age. It includes the ability to use detailed knowledge of different developmental domains and developmental theory and how these domains link to support holistic development.

This unit applies to educators who develop and implement curriculum in the context of an approved learning framework in regulated children’s education and care services in Australia. Work is undertaken independently, according to the philosophy of the service. The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice. No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to develop, implement and evaluate experiences that nurture creativity in children through construction, digital technologies, dramatic play, imaginative play, movement, music and visual art.

This unit applies to educators who develop and implement learning experiences in the context of an approved learning framework in regulated children’s education and care services in Australia. Work is undertaken independently, but according to the philosophy of the service. The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice. No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to facilitate legislative, regulatory and National Quality Framework compliance in an education and care service. This unit applies to educators working in regulated children’s education and care services in Australia. They provide guidance to others and have responsibilities in relation to continuous improvement of services provided.

The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice. No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to develop guidelines that foster positive and respectful interactions and behaviour, and to monitor and support children’s learning, development and wellbeing in this area.

This unit applies to educators working at a leadership level in a regulated children’s education and care service in Australia. Work is undertaken collaboratively according to the philosophy of the service and involves providing guidance to others. The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice. No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to promote inclusion and diversity and to plan, implement and monitor individual support strategies. This unit applies to educators working at a leadership level in a regulated children’s education and care service in Australia. Work is undertaken collaboratively according to the philosophy of the service and involves providing guidance to others.

The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice. No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to gather and analyse information about children’s learning to inform practice. This unit applies to educators who develop and implement curriculum in the context of an approved learning framework in regulated children’s education and care services in Australia. Work is undertaken independently, but according to the philosophy of the service.

The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice. No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to plan, implement and evaluate curriculum over a period of time to foster children’s learning and development. This unit applies to educators who develop and implement curriculum in the context of an approved learning framework in regulated children’s education and care services in Australia. Work is undertaken independently, but according to the philosophy of the service.

The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice. No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to develop, implement and evaluate a sustainability management plan and support children’s environmental responsibility. This unit applies to educators who develop and implement practices according to established organisational policies in a regulated children’s education and care service in Australia. Work is undertaken collaboratively according to the philosophy of the service and involves providing guidance to others.

The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice. No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to establish relationships with families, connect with the local and broader community and promote opportunities for collaboration and sharing of information with families to support effective education and care for children. This unit applies to educators working at a senior operational or leadership level in regulated children’s education and care services in Australia. Work is undertaken collaboratively according to the philosophy of the service and involves providing guidance to others.

The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice. No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to evaluate and enhance own practice through a process of reflection and ongoing professional development. This unit applies to workers in all industry sectors who take pro-active responsibility for their own professional development.

The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to develop and use emotional intelligence to increase self-awareness, self-management, social awareness and relationship management in the workplace. The unit applies to individuals who are required to identify, analyse, synthesise and act on information from a range of sources and who deal with unpredictable problems as part of their job role. These individuals may be responsible for leading a team or work area. No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to determine individual and team development needs and to facilitate the development of the workgroup. The unit applies to individuals with a broad knowledge of learning and development who apply their skills in addressing development needs to meet team objectives. They may have responsibility to provide guidance or to delegate aspects of tasks to others. No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to effectively resolve grievances and complaints about the service. This unit applies to educators working at a leadership level in children’s education and care services in Australia. Work is undertaken collaboratively according to the philosophy of the service. The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice. No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Cost and payment

You can pay for your course upfront via VISA/MasterCard or a bank deposit. Alternatively, we offer instalment plans that can be paid over several weeks or fortnights.

Your course fee includes

Graduation Hat Icon

Delivery and assessment of your qualification

Book Icon

Study materials (including all resources)

Speech Bubble Icon

Ongoing support from our Education Team

We offer two payment methods

Piggy Bank Icon

Full fee upfront

Payment Icon

Instalment plans

For more information about the course costs, please call us on 1300 616 197.

FE_Partner Page_[MOBILE]-ECECPARTNERFE_Partner Page_[MOBILE]-ECECPARTNER

You May Also Be Interested In

CHC30121

Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

Gain the skills and experience you need to begin a fulfilling career as an Early Childhood Educator and take advantage of the growing demand in this field.

CHC30121

Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (Family Day Care)

Begin a meaningful career as an early childhood educator with specialist skills in Family Day Care, and make the most of the opportunities in this growing field.

CHC30121 / CHC50121

Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care and Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

Prepare to launch your career in a fast-growing industry by gaining the necessary skills and training to work in early childhood education.