How to Study Early Childhood Education?

Want to make a career out of helping kids learn? Early Childhood Education offers both rewarding work and growth opportunities in an in-demand field.

But if you want to get a start in this sector, you’ll need to get qualified. In this article, we’ll help you navigate all the different course and delivery options and answer any questions you may have about work placement.

Study options in Early Childhood Education

You have a few different options when looking at Early Childhood Education qualifications.

Online learning with Foundation Education

Studying with Foundation Education lets you learn online whenever and wherever it suits you. Our My eCampus platform gives you access to all your course materials 24/7, so you don’t have to stop working to study. 

Our online courses give you:

• Freedom to study at your own pace

• Individual support when you need it

• No need to commute or stick to class schedules

• Practical skills through structured work placement

• Nationally recognised qualifications

Other study options

While Foundation Education offers a flexible way to study, there are other paths to getting your Early Childhood Education qualification:

• TAFE: TAFE courses happen in physical classrooms with set attendance times. This might work for you if you learn better in person and prefer structured classes, but it won't offer as much flexibility.

• Uni: If you want to become a teacher, you'll need a university degree. These take 3–4 years to complete and are a bigger time and money commitment.

Early Childhood Education course options

Early Childhood Education courses follow a clear pathway, with each qualification building on the previous. Here's what you need to know about each course option:

Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

The CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care is your entry point into the industry. By law, you need at least this qualification (or be actively studying toward it) to work in childcare in Australia.

In this course, you’ll learn how to support children’s health, safety and wellbeing under approved learning frameworks. It takes up to 18 months to finish and includes 160 hours of practical work placement. 

With this qualification, you can work as a:

• Childcare Assistant

• Early Childhood Educator

• Kindergarten Assistant

• Long Day Care Educator

If you're specifically interested in Family Day Care, there's also a specialised CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (Family Day Care) that has units on home-based childcare.

Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

The CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care is the next step up. This qualification builds on your Certificate III knowledge and prepares you for leadership roles.

It takes up to 24 months to finish and requires 280 hours of practical placement. 

With this qualification, you can work as a: 

• Group Leader

• Childcare Director

• Educational Leader

• Assistant Director

• Lead Educator

Certificate III and Diploma combined

Want to fast-track your studies? The combined CHC30121/CHC50121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care and Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care package gives you both qualifications in one program.

This can take up to 36 months to finish and has 440 hours of practical placement. While it's a longer initial commitment, you won’t have to go back to study before you get into leadership.

How to choose the right course

Choosing the right early childhood course depends on your career goals, previous experience and time available:

• New to the industry? Start with the Certificate III to build core skills and get working quickly.

• Already working in childcare? The Diploma will help you get promoted.

• Want to move up quickly? The combined qualification gives you both certifications in one program.

• Interested in home-based care? Consider the Family Day Care specialisation.

Flexible study options

Foundation Education offers flexible study options so you can get qualified no matter what your situation is. 

Accelerated learning

If you're able to dedicate more time to your studies, you can complete your qualification faster. This approach allows you to progress through your course at a quicker pace:

• Certificate III: 9–12 months

• Diploma: 18 months

• Combined qualification: 24–30 months

Flexible learning

For those with work, family, or other commitments, our flexible learning options give you the ability to study at a pace that suits your lifestyle. This allows you to manage your studies alongside your personal responsibilities:

• Certificate III: 12–18 months

• Diploma: 24 months

• Combined qualification: 30–36 months

What you can expect during your studies

Studying Early Childhood Education with Foundation Education is different from traditional classroom learning. It centres around My eCampus, an online platform you can access anytime. 

You'll work through each unit at your own pace, with clear explanations, videos and practical examples. If there’s anything you don’t understand, our Education Team is on standby to give you support through email, phone and virtual sessions.

For the theory component, you'll need:

• A computer with internet access

• Basic software like Microsoft Word (or free alternatives)

• A printer and scanner for some assessments

• A mobile phone or camera for video assessments

You’ll also be assessed as you go — this is usually through assignments and online exams.

Practical placement information

All Early Childhood Education courses have placement hours where you apply your learning in real childcare settings.

How to find practical placement

Finding a placement might seem daunting, but there are a few things you can do:

• Use existing workplace connections if you're already in the sector

• Reach out to local childcare centres, kindergartens or family day care services

• Ask Foundation Education's team for support in finding placement

You'll also need to apply for a Working with Children Check at the start of your course before beginning any placement.

What to expect during practical placement

Once you’ve landed your placement, you’ll be expected to treat it as you would any job. During this time, you'll:

• Watch experienced educators in action

• Help with daily activities and routines

• Practice planning and implementing learning experiences

• Build relationships with children, families and staff

• Complete assessment tasks based on your workplace experiences

Your supervisor will provide feedback on your performance and complete a report as part of your assessment.

Study Early Childhood Education with Foundation Education

Getting qualified doesn’t have to be a chore. With Foundation Education, you don’t have to shuffle around your life to get an Early Childhood Education qualification. 

By the end of your studies, you’ll have a nationally recognised certificate or diploma and real-world experience and connections. 

Sold yet? Call us on 1300 616 197 to talk things through more, or browse our Early Childhood Education courses to find the best fit for you.