Overview
Gain the skills and qualifications to work confidently and effectively in early childhood with a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care CHC50121 at Victoria University (VU).
Progress your qualifications with this early childhood diploma that gives you guaranteed entry into a bachelor degree at VU.
Build on your passion for play-based learning and gain expertise in providing activities and care for children from birth to six years old. Make a real difference to children’s lives by helping them to achieve important developmental outcomes – and have fun along the way.
In addition to five work placements, this course includes first aid training and lessons in:
- childhood development (aesthetic, creative, physical)
- planning for children with additional needs
- networking and family partnerships
- children’s health and safety.
You can study this course after completing your Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30121 or CHC30113).
Get guaranteed entry into bachelor degrees at VU
If you choose to continue onto further study, your path to a bachelor degree will be seamless at VU. After you complete this course, enjoy guaranteed entry into our:
In some cases you may even receive credit for your prior learning.
Enjoy a practical, real-world learning environment
Practise your skills in a simulated early childhood environment in the early childhood practical classrooms on-campus in Werribee, St Albans, Footscray, or Sunshine.
At VU, you’ll collaborate with your classmates to work through scenarios and debrief with your expert teachers to improve your skills.
Benefit from our close ties to the community, with the purpose-built Victoria University Children’s Centre on our Werribee and Footscray Nicholson Campuses, providing care and education with a varied indoor and outdoor play-based program.
Benefit from strong industry connections in Melbourne’s north & west
A key component of your course is three work placements, in which you’ll work alongside experienced professionals to consolidate your skills and put theory into practice.
As a VU student, you’ll benefit from our extensive partner network, which includes schools and community and government organisations, particularly in Melbourne’s north and west. Your placements may even lead to paid employment.
Your teachers are experts in their field and have valuable industry contacts. You’ll also get to hear from guest speakers, and your assessments will be scenario-based with links to the real world.
Join an information session
There's never been a better time to study early childhood education. Join an information session to find out more about the course structure, industry connections, placement opportunities and pathways to further study.
Indicative course timetable information: Domestic full-time students will study four days per week (four days of workshop and scheduled e-learning tasks), 9.30am – 3.30pm*
*Subject to change
Course e-Brochure
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Create an e-brochureCareers in early childhood education
With the introduction of three-year-old kindergarten, jobs in early childhood are booming in Victoria. With the introduction of three-year-old kindergarten, jobs in early childhood are booming in Victoria.
Take advantage of the opportunity to become one of the more than 11,000 new early childhood teachers and educators the Victorian Government is estimating we will need over the next decade.
With a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, you could advance to roles such as:
- early childhood coordinator
- family-daycare coordinator
- team leader or room leader in a service
- early-childhood educator
- playgroup coordinator
- assistant director of early childhood services
- early-childhood educator – team leader
- reliever in early-childhood programs
- nanny.
Nationally recognised training
This course is nationally recognised training.
Course structure
To be awarded CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, a student must successfully complete a total of fifteen (15) units of competency, consisting of:
- Twelve (12) core units, and;
- Three (3) elective units, of which:
- two (2) must be selected from the elective units listed below, and;
- up to one (1) unit may be selected from any endorsed training package or accredited course relevant to the work outcome.
All electives chosen must support the overall integrity of the AQF level of this qualification and contribute to a valid, industry-supported vocational outcome and must be in accordance with the packaging rules specified in CHC Community Services Training Package as well as be approved by the Polytechnic.
Recognition of Prior Learning and/or Credit Transfers:Previous completion of units at the Polytechnic or any other Registered Training Organisation and/or previous attainment of skills and knowledge may be credited towards this course. Units must satisfy the completion rules of the qualification and be assessed as appropriate by the Polytechnic.
Course structure and units
VU Polytechnic delivers the electives listed in the ‘course structure and units’ below. These electives have been selected based on industry needs, graduate pathways and/or student and teacher feedback. Alternative suitable electives are only available via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer (CT).
Core units
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- Unit code
- BSBTWK502
-
- Unit code
- CHCECE041
-
- Unit code
- CHCECE042
-
- Unit code
- CHCECE043
-
- Unit code
- CHCECE044
-
- Unit code
- CHCECE045
-
- Unit code
- CHCECE046
-
- Unit code
- CHCECE047
-
- Unit code
- CHCECE048
-
- Unit code
- CHCECE049
-
- Unit code
- CHCECE050
-
- Unit code
- CHCPRP003
Elective units
-
- Unit code
- BSBPEF502
-
- Unit code
- BSBHRM413
-
- Unit code
- CHCECE053
Learning outcomes
This qualification reflects the role of early childhood educators who are responsible for designing and implementing curriculum in early childhood education and care services. In doing so, they work to implement an approved learning framework within the requirements of the Education and Care Services National Regulations and the National Quality Standard. They may have responsibility for supervision of volunteers or other staff.
Under the Education and Care Services National Law (2011) the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) publishes lists of approved early childhood education and care qualifications and information regarding regulatory requirements here: www.acecqa.gov.au.
Admission & pathways
Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.
Applicants for this course will need to have met the academic requirements and prerequisites for this course outlined below.
Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.
Entry requirements
Entry to this qualification is open to individuals who:
hold a CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care or
CHC30113 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.
Completion of an Australian Year 12 or equivalent. Students will be required to demonstrate they have the capacity to work with children and families in the highly demanding field of early childhood as set out by the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) and the Education and Care Services National Regulations by participating in an interview. This may be conducted individually or as a group, at the discretion of the Polytechnic.
Further information can be found: https://www.acecqa.gov.au/ IELTS 5.5 or equivalent.
For employment and practical placement purposes, this vocational sector typically requires
-
a current and satisfactory Police Record Check, and;
-
Working with Children Check.
Failure to provide the required documents in the timeframe specified by the Course Coordinator, means you will be unable to undertake practical placement in a workplace and therefore not eligible to progress in this course.
The following are suggested sites you could visit to obtain these checks:
-
Police Record Check - http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=274
-
Working with Children Check - http://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/
Further, it is an industry expectation that those engaging with young children in an early childhood setting are fully immunised.
Any students electing not to disclose their immunisation status, conscientious object to vaccinations or have a contraindication, must contact the placement coordinator to discuss the impact this may have on their capacity to undertake placement. Incomplete immunisation may impact your course progression due to a lack of appropriate placement opportunities.
Information about the immunisations can be found online at https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/immunisation
Traineeship or apprenticeship is not available for International students.
Find out if you meet the entry requirements, including English language and academic requirements.
Pathways from VU courses
There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.
Find out more about pathways and credits.
Pathways from other institutions
If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.
Bendigo Kangan Institute, Australia
You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.
Melbourne City Institute of Education, Australia
You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.
Bendigo Kangan Institute, Australia
You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.
Melbourne City Institute of Education, Australia
You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.
Find out more about pathways and credits.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.
You may be able to complete your qualification sooner through formal recognition of your existing skills. This is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
To receive RPL, we assess your previous work, education and life experiences against recognised qualifications. Applications for RPL can be made prior to enrolling.
Call us on 1300 TAFE VP (1300 823 387) to discuss RPL options with the course manager.
Pathways to further study
On completion of this course you will be guaranteed entry into the following degree and in some cases receive credit for your study:
You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.
You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.
Find out more about our study pathways to VU
How to apply
Prior to enrolment, all applicants will be required to complete a literacy and numeracy assessment to assist with determining eligibility and to identify learning support needs.
We are currently accepting international applications, and we welcome you to apply for this course.
Click 'apply' to begin, and we will guide you through the application process.
If you have questions, please get in touch:
- Phone: +61 3 9919 1164
- Online: enquiry form
Information and fees listed above are for non-resident students. Fees are accurate at the time of viewing and will be subject to annual increases. Some courses require students to purchase equipment or clothing that they will need in the course. These equipment or clothing costs are not included in the course fees listed above – check your Letter of Offer for an estimate on non-tuition-fee-related expenses.
VU takes care to ensure the accuracy of this course information, but reserves the right to change or withdraw courses offered at any time. Please check that course information is current with the Student Contact Centre.
