Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

Start your career as an early childhood educator with the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

Would you like to build a meaningful career working with children? If you’d like to equip yourself with the qualifications required to work in a range of childhood education settings, this new course will provide the framework you need.  

The Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care is a foundation course and is an ideal entry point to begin a career as a childhood educator. Your studies will cover caring and nurturing for babies, toddlers and children; planning, implementing and evaluating educational programs; fostering individual development; supporting childhood health, safety and wellbeing; developing positive and respectful relationships with children, and much more.  

In just 18 months, you have the opportunity to become qualified for a variety of roles. These include Long Day Care Educator, Kindergarten Assistant, Childcare Assistant and Early Childhood Educator. With Childcare and Early Childhood Education facilities experiencing a skills shortage, there is currently a high demand for qualified workers across kindergartens, pre-schools, long day care centres and family day care. 

If you’d like to continue your education and complete the CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education is a mandatory minimum requirement.   

The Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care is delivered online, and includes 160 hours of practical assessment work in a regulated children’s education and care service in Australia.  

If you’d like to make a real difference to the lives of children and their families, and begin a pathway that will give you the opportunity to work with children every day, our new Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care is the foundation you need. 

Interested in Family Day Care? Check out our CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (Family Day Care) course!

The CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care is a Nationally Recognised course.

Course Outcomes

The skills and experience you gain as part of the CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care will equip you for a number of fulfilling roles in early childhood education. The below course outcomes are by no means exhaustive—these are just a few examples of the types of roles you’ll be qualified for once you complete your course.

Long Day Care Educator

Working in a Long Day Care Centre, you’ll be in an environment that supports working parents, as these centres provide education and care for children from babies to the age of 12. They usually operate at least 10 hours a day, Monday to Friday, for at least 48 weeks a year and provide full or part-time care. Children may be grouped together according to their age and developmental stage and an approved kindergarten program may also be offered. 

Kindergarten Assistant

As a Kindergarten Assistant, you’ll be working in a childhood education environment that is tailored to helping prepare children for prep. You’ll support children with play-based learning and help them to expand their physical abilities, build their confidence and enhance their social skills. Kindergartens usually operate during school hours each school term, and many offer programs for 6 hours a day, 5 days a fortnight during each school term.  

Childcare Assistant

A Childcare Assistant provides care and structured learning to children, usually in a day care centre. As a Childcare Assistant, you’ll provide a caring, non-judgemental and supportive environment for all children and their families. You’ll supervise children as they learn and play, provide comfort and reassurance, plan stimulating activities, and keep children clean and safe.  

Early Childhood Educator

An Early Childhood Educator, also referred to as a Childcare Worker, is responsible for the care and early education of babies and young children. They work in a range of settings, including kindergartens, childcare centres, community centres or schools. As an Early Childhood Educator, you’ll support the implementation of an approved learning framework, and support children's wellbeing, learning and development. Depending on the setting, educators may work under direct supervision or on their own within a team.