| Duration | Please refer to Course Structure below. |
| Location | Online |
| Next intake | January, 2025 |
| Study mode | On Campus, Online, RPL/RCC/Credit |
| Total units | 15 |
Overview
Advance your early childhood education career with a high-level course. The Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care provides you with the essential skills and qualification required for a career in one of the fastest-growing sectors in Australia.
This qualification reflects the role of educators in early childhood education and care who work in regulated children's education and care services in Australia. Eductors at this level are responsible for designing and implementing a curriculum that meets the requirements of an approved learning framework and for maintaining compliance in other areas of the service operations. They use specialised knowledge and analyse and apply theoretical concepts to diverse work situations. They may have responsibility for the supervision of volunteers or other educators. To achieve this qualification, the individual must have completed a total of at least 280 hours of work in a regulated children's education and care service in Australia. The total number of hours may be applied collectively across all units of competency that include the requirement for workplace hours.
This is a nationally recognised accredited course.
QUALITY EDUCATION, WHEREVER YOU ARE
Between our reputation for learning, teaching and research, our renowned online education offering, and our status as Australia’s largest regional university, rest assured you will get a world-class education when you choose CQUniversity.
A UNI THAT KNOWS CREDIBILITY IS KEY
In just 25 years, CQUniversity has achieved some amazing feats and emerged as one of Australia’s truly great universities. We have been ranked among the best in the world for our teaching and learning, and are internationally recognised for our focus on Social Innovation. Our graduates are some of the most sought-after in Australia, due to our reputation for work integrated learning and industry-aligned courses, and experience some of the nation’s best graduate outcomes in terms of full-time employment and starting salary. CQUni is also regarded as the nation’s most inclusive and engaged university, with our award-winning academic and research staff making a real impact on the communities and industries we serve.
A UNI THAT LEADS IN ONLINE EDUCATION
A pioneer in online study, CQUniversity has more than two decades of experience providing high quality online learning experiences across the country and even internationally. We work hard to deliver the latest techniques in online study, and have even planned our physical sites to provide more services to our widespread online study cohort.
A UNI THAT KNOWS CONVENIENCE COUNTS
CQUniversity is truly focused on our students’ needs, and that means responding to what, how and where they want to study. It is why we are now Australia’s largest regional university, with more than 20 metropolitan and regional locations across five states, delivering TAFE and university qualifications in on-campus, online and supported online modes to more than 30 000 students.
A UNI THAT KNOWS YOUR EXPERIENCE MATTERS
CQUniversity’s strong focus on student experience ensures that you are prepared and supported on your student journey. Support services include on-campus or online orientation to assist your transition into university life, course and career advice, financial support options, study support, ongoing assistance through the Student Mentor program, counselling services, support for students with disability or medical conditions, Indigenous student support and more.
“My experiences with the teaching staff at CQU is that they are very friendly and nice. They really helped me and supported me with my schoolwork and all my assessments.
Sheree Sarmiento
Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
Career Opportunities
On completion of CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, occupations include working as an Educator in long daycare centres, family daycare, pre-schools or kindergartens.
Students can also further their study opportunities with credits towards other qualifications on the CQUniversity scope of registration.
Structure & Availability
Online
Duration:| Part Time Duration |
|---|
| 18 months |
This course is delivered over a 78 week period, however as it is competency and cluster-based, it may be possible for students to complete their training sooner if they have reached the required skill level.
The course is organised to reflect the learning and work activities that take place within an early childhood setting, with a mandatory work placement of 280 hours in a regulated children's education and care service in Australia.
From consultation with the industry, students are recommended to complete 336 hours of Vocational Placement within this course, which is inclusive of the 280 hours required for unit CHCECE048.
CLUSTER 1 HEALTH AND SAFETY
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
|---|---|
| CHCECE041 | Maintain a safe and healthy environment for children |
CLUSTER 2 COMMUNICATION AND REFLECTIVE PRACTICE
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
|---|---|
| CHCPRP003 | Reflect on and improve own professional practice |
| CHCECE050 | Work in partnership with children’s families |
CLUSTER 3 INCLUSIVE PRACTICES
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
|---|---|
| CHCECE047 | Analyse information to inform children’s learning |
| CHCECE045 | Foster positive and respectful interactions and behaviour in children |
| CHCECE046 | Implement strategies for the inclusion of all children |
CLUSTER 4 PLANNING AND PEDAGOGY
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
|---|---|
| CHCECE043 | Nurture creativity in children |
| CHCECE042 | Foster holistic early childhood learning, development and wellbeing |
| CHCECE048 | Plan and implement children’s education and care curriculum |
CLUSTER 5 SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
|---|---|
| CHCECE049 | Embed environmental responsibility in service operations |
| CHCINM002 | Meet community information needs |
CLUSTER 6 LEADERSHIP
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
|---|---|
| CHCMGT003 | Lead the work team |
| BSBTWK502 | Manage team effectiveness |
CLUSTER 7 COMPLIANCE
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
|---|---|
| CHCECE053 | Respond to grievances and complaints about the service |
| CHCECE044 | Facilitate compliance in a children’s education and care service |
Apprenticeship
Duration:| Part Time Duration |
|---|
| 18 months |
This course is delivered over a 78 week period, however as it is competency and cluster-based, it may be possible for students to complete their training sooner if they have reached the required skill level.
The course is organised to reflect the learning and work activities that take place within an early childhood setting, with a mandatory work placement of 280 hours in a regulated children's education and care service in Australia.
From consultation with the industry, students are recommended to complete 336 hours of Vocational Placement within this course, which is inclusive of the 280 hours required for unit CHCECE048.
CLUSTER 1 HEALTH AND SAFETY
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
|---|---|
| CHCECE041 | Maintain a safe and healthy environment for children |
CLUSTER 2 COMMUNICATION AND REFLECTIVE PRACTICE
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
|---|---|
| CHCECE050 | Work in partnership with children’s families |
| CHCPRP003 | Reflect on and improve own professional practice |
CLUSTER 3 INCLUSIVE PRACTICES
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
|---|---|
| CHCECE045 | Foster positive and respectful interactions and behaviour in children |
| CHCECE047 | Analyse information to inform children’s learning |
| CHCECE046 | Implement strategies for the inclusion of all children |
CLUSTER 4 PLANNING AND PEDAGOGY
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
|---|---|
| CHCECE042 | Foster holistic early childhood learning, development and wellbeing |
| CHCECE048 | Plan and implement children’s education and care curriculum |
| CHCECE043 | Nurture creativity in children |
CLUSTER 5 SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
|---|---|
| CHCINM002 | Meet community information needs |
| CHCECE049 | Embed environmental responsibility in service operations |
CLUSTER 6 LEADERSHIP
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
|---|---|
| BSBTWK502 | Manage team effectiveness |
| CHCMGT003 | Lead the work team |
CLUSTER 7 COMPLIANCE
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
|---|---|
| CHCECE053 | Respond to grievances and complaints about the service |
| CHCECE044 | Facilitate compliance in a children’s education and care service |
THE MARAWAY QLD
Duration:This course is delivered over a 48 week period, however as it is competency and cluster-based, it may be possible for students to complete their training sooner if they have reached the required skill level.
The course is organised to reflect the learning and work activities that take place within an early childhood setting, with a mandatory work placement of 280 hours in a regulated children's education and care service in Australia.
From consultation with the industry, students are recommended to complete 336 hours of Vocational Placement within this course, which is inclusive of the 280 hours required for unit CHCECE048.
CLUSTER 1 HEALTH AND SAFETY
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
|---|---|
| CHCECE041 | Maintain a safe and healthy environment for children |
CLUSTER 2 COMMUNICATION AND REFLECTIVE PRACTICE
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
|---|---|
| CHCECE050 | Work in partnership with children’s families |
| CHCPRP003 | Reflect on and improve own professional practice |
CLUSTER 3 INCLUSIVE PRACTICES
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
|---|---|
| CHCECE045 | Foster positive and respectful interactions and behaviour in children |
| CHCECE046 | Implement strategies for the inclusion of all children |
| CHCECE047 | Analyse information to inform children’s learning |
CLUSTER 4 PLANNING AND PEDAGOGY
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
|---|---|
| CHCECE043 | Nurture creativity in children |
| CHCECE042 | Foster holistic early childhood learning, development and wellbeing |
| CHCECE048 | Plan and implement children’s education and care curriculum |
CLUSTER 5 SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
|---|---|
| CHCECE049 | Embed environmental responsibility in service operations |
| CHCINM002 | Meet community information needs |
CLUSTER 6 LEADERSHIP
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
|---|---|
| CHCMGT003 | Lead the work team |
| BSBTWK502 | Manage team effectiveness |
CLUSTER 7 COMPLIANCE
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
|---|---|
| CHCECE044 | Facilitate compliance in a children’s education and care service |
| CHCECE053 | Respond to grievances and complaints about the service |
RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING (RPL)
Duration:RPL only - no training occurs.
RPL involves an assessment process of an individual’s previously obtained skills and knowledge that has been achieved outside the formal education and training system. The duration is dependent on evidence collection by the candidate and approval of evidence by the CQUniversity assessor.
Please refer to information on the CQUniversity website - Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit
CORE UNITS
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
|---|---|
| CHCECE041 | Maintain a safe and healthy environment for children |
| CHCECE047 | Analyse information to inform children’s learning |
| CHCECE044 | Facilitate compliance in a children’s education and care service |
| BSBTWK502 | Manage team effectiveness |
| CHCECE048 | Plan and implement children’s education and care curriculum |
| CHCECE043 | Nurture creativity in children |
| CHCECE042 | Foster holistic early childhood learning, development and wellbeing |
| CHCECE045 | Foster positive and respectful interactions and behaviour in children |
| CHCPRP003 | Reflect on and improve own professional practice |
| CHCECE046 | Implement strategies for the inclusion of all children |
| CHCECE049 | Embed environmental responsibility in service operations |
| CHCECE050 | Work in partnership with children’s families |
ELECTIVE UNITS
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
|---|---|
| CHCMGT003 | Lead the work team |
| CHCECE053 | Respond to grievances and complaints about the service |
| CHCINM002 | Meet community information needs |
MIXED MODE
| Intake | Locations |
|---|---|
| January, 2024 | Mixed Mode |
| February, 2024 | Mixed Mode |
| March, 2024 | Mixed Mode |
| April, 2024 | Mixed Mode |
| May, 2024 | Mixed Mode |
| June, 2024 | Mixed Mode |
| July, 2024 | Mixed Mode |
| August, 2024 | Mixed Mode |
| September, 2024 | Mixed Mode |
| October, 2024 | Mixed Mode |
| November, 2024 | Mixed Mode |
This course has no residential schools.
The course is organised to reflect the learning and work activities that take place within a regulated education and care service, with a mandatory work placement of 280 hours.
Within this time allocation, students can demonstrate the required vocational placement tasks and skills for other units as required for the qualification.
From consultation with the industry, students are recommended to complete additional hours of Vocational Placement, to what is listed on the training package, to achieve this qualification, which is inclusive of the 280 hours required for unit CHCECE048.
From consultation with the industry, students are recommended to complete 336 hours of Vocational Placement within this course, which is inclusive of the 280 hours required for unit CHCECE048.
A total number of 280 hours may be applied collectively across all units of competency that include the requirements of workplace hours within this qualification.
Requirements
Entry to this qualification requires students to have successfully completed and hold a CHC30113 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care or CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care qualification.
CQUniversity requirement: completion of bksb (Basic Key Skills Builder) online literacy and numeracy assessment before enrolment, unless the student has completed an equal or higher-level course.
The requirement to complete vocational placement component for the duration of the qualification of 280 hours in a regulated children's education and care service in Australia. Placement is to be organised by the student, CQUniversity will assist where required.
The requirement to successfully obtain a Working With Children Check relevant to your state in Australia.
Access to a computer, Internet and intermediate computer skills. 24 hour CQUniversity computer labs are available on selected campuses.
Fees & Scholarships
Fee for Service/ Full Fee
Fee for Service/Full Fee occurs when the full tuition fee is charged to students. This may occur when the course is not included in government subsidy program/s or the student is not eligible for a government subsidy. These students are obligated to cover the entire cost. Learn more about Paying for TAFE.
Co-Contribution and Co-Contribution Concessional Fee
Some government subsidies, such as Higher Level Skills (HLS), will require the individual to contribute to the cost of their training through a co-contribution fee. Government subsidies are subject to eligibility.
The fee will vary based on the course chosen and the eligibility of the student for a concession rate. The co-contribution fee represents the total cost to the student for tuition. There are other costs that the student may have to pay, including but not limited to uniforms and course resources. This will vary depending on the training. If you are required to pay Co-Contribution Fees, you may be eligible for partial or full exemption, you can find more information on Apply for TAFE Certificates and Diplomas.
This is a Fee-Free TAFE course thanks to the Australian and Queensland Governments. Students who have completed the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30121) qualification through Fee-Free TAFE may enrol in the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC50121) under Fee-Free TAFE. Eligibility and conditions apply.
This course is included in the Australian Government’s VET Student Loan (VSL) program, assisting eligible students pay tuition fees. Refer to the VET Student Loan webpage for more information, eligibility and census date calendar. A VET student loan gives rise to a VETSL debt that continues to be a debt due to the Commonwealth until it is repaid.
At CQUniversity, we believe that studying should be for everyone. No matter your situation, we know that everyone needs a helping hand from time to time, and we are proud to offer scholarships, bursaries and stipends.
Our scholarships could help you pay for things like relocation, living on campus, laptops and technology, childcare, study and living expenses, travel and more
How to apply
How to Apply
Check what you need to do to apply to study this course.
Your application options
Follow these steps
Start Your Application
Our easy-to-use online application system will guide you through the process of applying for a TAFE course. If you need help along the way with your application, talk with one of our Student Advice team members by calling 13 27 86.
