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.

Start your career as a 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 care 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.

Eligibility Requirements

Education

Whilst there are no formal entry requirements mandated by the training package, students’ 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 

Students under the age of 18 years require the 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. 

Computer Requirements 

In order to complete the online part of the course you will need regular access to the following: 

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 
Internet Browser: Google Chrome or Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 
MAC: Operating system - OS X 10.14 Mojave or later 
Software: Flash, Adobe Reader, Microsoft Word (or Open Office which is free to download).

Assessment items  

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

Special Conditions 

Students must apply for their Working with Children check at course commencement. For mandatory work placement (160 hours), students must have access to a regulated education and care service 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 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care or equivalent). 

Where required, we will assist you in organising a work placement location of your choosing.  

Qualification

Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

Delivery

Online theory, combined with 160 hours of practical assessment work in a regulated children’s education and care service in Australia available

Length

The length of the course is up to 18 months

Study Load

Complete 1 unit of competency every 4.5 weeks to graduate in 18 months

Cost

Payment Options

Upfront Payment
Payment Plan

Course Outcomes

The skills and experience you gain as part of the 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, help them to expand their physical abilities, help them to build their confidence and enhance their social skills. Kindergartens usually operate 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.

Delivery Options and Length

Online theory, combined with 160 hours of practical assessment work in a regulated children’s education and care service in Australia

To achieve this qualification, the student must have completed a total of at least 160 hours of work in a regulated children’s education and care service in Australia.

The length of the course is up to: 18 months

Cost & Payment Options

Upfront Payment

Payment Plan

Upfront payment and instalment plans are available.

Your course fee includes:

Delivery and assessment of your qualification
Study materials (including all resources)
On-going support from our Education Team.

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.

For more information about CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care costs, please call us on 1300 616 197.

Online theory, combined with 160 hours of practical assessment work in a regulated children’s education and care service in Australia

CHCECE030

Support inclusion and diversity

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to reflect on and understand the impact of own values and biases, demonstrate respect for inclusion and diversity, and support children’s understanding of inclusive principles and behaviours. This unit applies to all educators who work according to established policies and procedures in regulated children’s education and care services in Australia. 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.

CHCECE031

Support children’s health, safety and wellbeing

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge to support and promote children’s health, safety and wellbeing in relation to physical activity, healthy eating, sleep, rest and relaxation and individual medical requirements. This unit applies to educators who work according to established policies and procedures and under the guidance of others in regulated children’s education and care services in Australia. 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.

CHCECE032

Nurture babies and toddlers

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to develop relationships with babies and toddlers and their families and attend to the specific physical and emotional needs of babies and toddlers from birth to 23 months. It requires the ability to follow individualised care routines for sleep, feeding and toileting. This unit applies to educators who work according to established policies and procedures and under the guidance of others in regulated children’s education and care services in Australia. 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.

CHCECE033

Develop positive and respectful relationships with children

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to communicate and interact respectfully with children and to guide their behaviours in ways that support their agency, positive sense of self and self-regulation. This unit applies to educators who work according to established policies and procedures and under the guidance of others in regulated children’s education and care services in Australia. 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.

CHCECE034

Use an approved learning framework to guide practice

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to source and use an approved childhood learning framework. This unit applies to educators who support children’s learning according to established curriculum under the guidance of others in regulated children’s education and care services in Australia. 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.

CHCECE035

Support the holistic learning and development of children

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge to recognise and support the interrelationship between the physical, social, emotional, cognitive and communication development of children. This unit applies to educators who support children’s learning and development according to established curriculum under the guidance of others in regulated children’s education and care services in Australia. 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.

CHCECE036

Provide experiences to support children’s play and learning

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to set up, support and review experiences for children’s play and learning. This unit applies to educators who support children’s learning according to established curriculum under the guidance of others in regulated children’s education and care services in Australia. 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.

CHCECE037

Support children to connect with the natural environment

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to support and encourage children’s connection with the natural environment. This unit applies to educators who contribute to the curriculum planning process under the guidance of others in regulated children’s education and care services in Australia. 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.

CHCECE038

Observe children to inform practice

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to identify and gather information about children from observation and other sources as part of a collaborative process and as a basis for curriculum planning. This unit applies to educators who contribute to the curriculum planning process under the guidance of others in regulated children’s education and care services in Australia. 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.

CHCECE054

Encourage understanding of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples’ cultures

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to identify different perspectives on Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples’ cultures, develop an understanding of the local and broader cultural contexts, and use the identified information to embed culturally appropriate experiences, interactions, behaviours and physical environments into daily practice with children. This unit applies to educators who work in regulated children’s education and care services or schools in Australia, including those who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and educators from other cultural backgrounds. 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.

CHCECE055

Meet legal and ethical obligations in children’s education and care

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to identify and meet legal and ethical obligations. This includes the ability to recognise potential and actual examples of non-compliance with regulatory requirements and contribute to the continuous improvement of practice. This unit applies to educators who work according to established policies and procedures in regulated children’s education and care services in Australia. 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.

CHCECE056

Work effectively in children’s education and care

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to work in a children’s education and care context using effective communication and knowledge of job roles, responsibilities and service procedures to complete daily work activities. This unit applies to individuals who work according to established policies and procedures and under the supervision and guidance of others in regulated children’s education and care services in Australia. 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.

CHCPRT001

Identify and respond to children and young people at risk

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to support and protect children and young people who are at risk of harm. This work occurs within legislative and policy frameworks and carries a duty of care responsibility. This unit applies to workers in a range of job roles providing services to children and young people including in community services and health contexts. 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.

HLTAID012*

Provide First Aid in an education and care setting

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to provide a first aid response to infants and children in line with first aid guidelines determined by the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) and other Australian national peak clinical bodies. This unit applies to a range of workers within an education and care setting who are required to respond to a first aid emergency, including asthma and anaphylactic emergencies. This includes early childhood workers and educators who work with school-age children in outside school hours care and vacation programs. This unit of competency may contribute towards approved first aid, asthma and anaphylaxis training under the Education and Care Services National Law, and the Education and Care Services National Regulations (2011). Specific licensing/regulatory requirements relating to this competency, including requirements for refresher training should be obtained from the relevant national/state/territory Work Health and Safety Regulatory Authorities *This course contains the unit, HLTAID012 Provide First Aid in an education and care setting, which must be completed through an external RTO. Foundation Education has an agreement in place with Red Cross Australia (RTOID 3605) which allows students to receive training for this unit at a reduced price. Red Cross Australia is a third-party training provider who conduct training and assessment services on behalf of Foundation Education. Please note that the cost of this external training is not included in any of your course fees. Upon completion, you will need to submit a copy of your first aid certificate in order for us to process a Credit Transfer against this unit on your student record. If you have chosen your own third-party provider, you must submit a certified copy of your certificate. If you have undertaken training with Red Cross Australia, you must forward Foundation Education the email you receive which contains the electronic copy of your certificate.

HLTWHS001

Participate in workplace health and safety

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required for workers to participate in safe work practices to ensure their own health and safety, and that of others. The unit applies to all workers who require knowledge of workplace health and safety (WHS) to carry out their own work, either under direct supervision or with some individual responsibility. 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.

BSBSTR401

Promote innovation in team environments

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to identify and implement ways of promoting innovation within team environments in the workplace. The unit applies to individuals who are team participants or team leaders responsible for playing a proactive role in demonstrating innovation in a formal or informal team environment. No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

HLTFSE001

Follow basic food safety practices

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to comply with personal hygiene, maintain food safety, contribute to cleanliness of food handling areas and dispose of food. This unit applies to food services workers who work under supervision and within defined guidelines. 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.

There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification.

Check the currency of CHC30121.

Recognition of Prior Learning

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.

Why choose us?

Student Testimonial

Kellee Locke, Certificate III in Business Administration graduate

I wanted a course that would aid my career progression...I feel as though it helped me get my current job.

Flexible Online Study
All of our courses are delivered online, giving you the flexibility to choose your course length.
Dedicated Student Support
Our industry experienced Technical Advisors, Assessors and Support Officers will support you from enrolment through to graduation.
Industry-relevant Courses
Course material is developed in consultation with industry experts to equip you with job-ready skills.
Nationally Recognised Training
All of our courses are Nationally Recognised and accredited.

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