For DOmestic Students Only
CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
Study In:
Adelaide
Brisbane
Duration
Up to 12 Months
Study Mode
Blended (On Campus & Online)

To work in child care you must have, or be actively working towards, at least a Certificate III qualification. This qualification reflects the role of workers in a range of early childhood education settings who work within the requirements of the Education and Care Services National Regulations and the National Quality Standard.

They support the implementation of an approved learning framework, and support children’s well-being, learning and development. Depending on the setting, educators may work under direct supervision or autonomously.

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 on its website here: www.acecqa.gov.au

Please note that this course does not follow our Academic Calendar. Please speak with our team for more information.

What You'll Learn
  • Organise personal work priorities and development to ensure effectiveness in the workplace
  • Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety and develop cultural competence
  • Ensure the health and safety of children and provide care for children and provide healthy food and drinks
  • Support behaviour of children and young people and develop positive and respectful relationships with children
  • Use an approved learning framework to guide practice and support the holistic development of children in early childhood
  • Support children to connect with their world and use information about children to inform practice
  • Work legally and ethically, identify and respond to children and young people at risk and participate in work health and safety
More Information
Qualification Recognition
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Nationally recognised

Course Outline
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Unit code Unit Name Core/ Elective
CHCECE030 Support inclusion and diversity Core
CHCECE031   Support children’s health, safety and wellbeing Core
CHCECE032  Nurture babies and toddlers Core
CHCECE033 Develop positive and respectful relationships with children Core
CHCECE034 Use an approved learning framework to guide practice Core
CHCECE035 Support the holistic learning and development of children Core
CHCECE036 Provide experiences to support children’s play and learning Core
CHCECE037 Support children to connect with the natural environment Core
CHCECE038 Observe children to inform practice Core
CHCECE054 Encourage understanding of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples’ cultures Core
CHCECE055 Meet legal and ethical obligations in children’s education and care Core
CHCECE056 Work effectively in children’s education and care Core
CHCPRT001 Identify and respond to children and young people at risk Core
HLTAID012 Provide First Aid in an education and care setting Core
HLTWHS001 Participate in workplace health and safety Core
CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people Elective
CHCPRP003 Reflect on and improve own professional practice Elective
  To complete this qualification, you must demonstrate competency in a total of 18 units. 15 of these units are core and there are 3 electives.
Assessment Methods
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Knowledge Quiz Questions e.g., true/false, multiple choice. Matching, drag and drop, ‘sequence of order’ list is required, or similar. These will be available in Moodle as a quiz.
Short answer Questions are short form responses to capture evidence of knowledge and in some cases, skill application.
Practical project/ observation These Assessment Tools require students to complete practical tasks and written work related to the practical. Practical tasks vary and may require the Trainer/Assessor to complete an observation checklist observing skills of students, and/or students to complete templates and documents related to the practical tasks. This tool may include but is not limited to the following: ·         short answer questions ·         roleplay involves student undertaking a role and addressing specific requirements - may include creating/updating documents to support the roleplay ·         presentation (where there are preparatory notes, slides, and the presentation itself) ·         completion of template to prepare specific documents and/or formal reports ·         lab activities including submitting evidence as a screenshot ·         case studies.
Observation/practical skills demonstration Assessments which consist only of observations
Vocational placement If the training package require students to attend vocational placement or work-based training Queensford College will arrange the same of the students’ behalf. If the course has vocational placement requirement, list the units where students are required to complete the placement below.
Holistic assessment Short answer questions which cover a range of units with common knowledge/skill areas.
Vocational Placement Information
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Important Information About Mandatory Vocational Placement

Vocational placement is a compulsory component of CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care and is critical for achieving competency in specific units. Students cannot receive the qualification until all placement requirements are completed.

Students will experience vocational placement in a regulated children’s education and care service within Australia. For those currently employed in the industry, you may be able to use your workplace to meet your placement requirements, provided it meets the necessary criteria. Please note that placement centres must be within a 20km radius of the College.

Placement Duration & Timing

The course requires a minimum of 160 hours of mandatory vocational placement. Vocational placement is typically scheduled towards the end of the course, after completing relevant theoretical components. This ensures students are well-prepared for real workplace environments.

Placement Support

Queensford College assists in arranging suitable placements, but students are expected to actively participate in the process. Comprehensive support and guidance is provided, including detailed information on placement timing, structure, and expectations during course and placement orientation sessions.

Before You Enrol

Understanding the placement requirements is essential prior to enrolling. Students must be able to obtain a Working with Children Government Check that is relevant to their state before commencing vocational placement. Any associated costs will be shouldered by the student.

If you have any questions about vocational placement or how it fits into your course, please contact your course advisor or our Admissions Team for more information.

Vocational Placement and Practical Classes
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Enrolling in the this course requires students to participate in practical training and vocational placement in a regulated early childhood setting. By undertaking this course, students acknowledge and accept the following conditions:

  1. Physical Demands & Workplace Expectations
    • Practical training and vocational placement involve physically active tasks such as lifting children and equipment, standing for extended periods, bending, and engaging in play-based learning.
    • Students must adhere to workplace health and safety regulations, including hygiene practices, infection control, and safe supervision of children.
  2. Health & Safety Compliance
    • Students must disclose any medical conditions, physical limitations, or other factors that may impact their ability to participate in practical training or vocational placement.
    • Any illnesses, allergies, or conditions affecting participation must be communicated to the training provider and host employer.
    • Students must comply with mandatory vaccination and health screening requirements as specified by the industry and government regulations.
  3. Working with Children & Legal Requirements
    • Students must obtain and maintain a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) or equivalent state/territory clearance before commencing vocational placement.
    • Criminal history checks or additional clearances may be required based on employer or state regulations. A failure to obtain or maintain these clearances may prevent students from completing the course.
  4. Professional Conduct & Industry Standards
    • Students are expected to demonstrate professional behaviour, effective communication, and ethical responsibility when working with children, families, and colleagues as per Early Childhood Australia (ECA) code of ethics.
    • Failure to meet industry standards, comply with workplace policies, or adhere to child protection regulations may impact a student’s ability to successfully complete the vocational placement component.
  5. Completion Requirements
    • Participation in practical classes and vocational placement is mandatory to meet course requirements.
    • Students unable to complete these components due to medical, legal, or personal reasons may not be eligible to receive their qualification.

By enrolling in this course, students acknowledge these requirements and accept responsibility for meeting all necessary conditions for successful completion.

RPL & Credit Transfer
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You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning or Credit Transfer for this course.

Find Out More
Student Support
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Fees and Funding Options
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This course is available through the following funding options:
CareerStart

Career Start (formerly Certificate 3 Guarantee) supports eligible individuals to complete their first post-school Certificate III qualification and increase their skills to move into employment, re-enter the workforce or advance their career.
It also supports school students to access training and Queensland’s Year 12 graduates to transition to employment by providing fee-free training in high priority qualifications.
As a condition of your enrolment, you will be required to complete a student training and employment survey within three months of finishing or discontinuing your training.

Smart & Skilled Funding

The NSW Smart & Skilled program is a NSW Government initiative that subsidises training for in-demand skills and industries. It provides eligible students with government-subsidised training up to and including Certificate III, and funding for higher-level courses (Certificate IV and above) in targeted priority areas.

Vocational For School Students (VFSS)

The Vocational Education & Training (VET) for School Students (VFSS) program allows students to undertake VET courses while still in school. These nationally recognised qualifications are developed by industry to provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills for specific jobs. Successful completion of a VFSS qualification or short course can earn students additional SACE points at Stage 1 or Stage 2, and a Certificate III can contribute to their ATAR score as a Stage 2 subject.

WorkReady

The WorkReady program is a South Australian government initiative that consolidates funding for training, employment, and skills development, aiming to align opportunities with the needs of individuals, key industries, and regions. Individuals must meet course entry requirements and verify eligibility before enrolling in a government-subsidized training place. For more information, visit the Government of South Australia Department of Industry and Skills website.

WorkReady offers flexible options to help participants complete training or employment and advance their careers. An initial assessment identifies learning and support needs, guiding access to training via three streams:

  • Preparatory: Foundation literacy/numeracy, prevocational, and Adult Community Education (ACE) courses.
  • Industry Entry Level: Courses for direct job entry, traineeships, apprenticeships, and employment projects for job seekers facing barriers.
  • Upskilling: Higher-level courses, skill sets, and clusters for employed individuals to improve or reskill, including priority courses.

View More Information and Costs

Supported by Government of South Australia.

Students must meet the following requirements and prerequisite to enter this course.
Academic Entry Requirements
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Students entering into this program have the minimum knowledge and skills to study at this level, at the minimum of an AQF Level 2 Graduate.

Students must have completed at least an Australian year 11 or equivalent*

*Mature age students, who do not hold a qualification and wish to study with Queensford College, will be assessed based on their work experience.

English Language Requirements
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English Language Proficiency

All students must undertake Queensford College’s Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital (LLND) skills assessment via online LLN Robot System.

Course Study Requirements
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"This course has no course-specific entry requirements."

Computer Requirements
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Students will need to ensure they are able to connect to the internet and have the capability to use our online learning system that meets the minimum technical requirements, which are:

  • Access to a laptop/computer is preferred
  • An operating system supporting the following browsers (current version and up to three most recent versions): Chrome, Firefox, Safari (excluding Safari on Windows), and Microsoft Edge
    • For Windows: Windows 10, 4 Gb RAM installed (minimum)
    • FOR MAC: Mac OS X 10.13 or above
  • Access to Word processing software, such as Microsoft Word
  • Reliable internet connection

Vocational Placement
160 Hours
Possible Career Outcomes
Child Care Assistant
Playgroup Supervisor
Child Care Worker
Next Intake Date
View Calendar
Apply Now

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Fill in our Enquiry form, and one of our Staff will reach out to assist you.

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