A course or degree in early childhood education & care can be your pathway to the most rewarding career as an Early Childhood Educator. Early childhood is that period when the child is in the juvenile stages of development from birth to the age of eight years. This stage is very crucial, as children learn and develop skills and behaviour in ways that tend to have long-lasting effects on how children mature and enter their adolescence and adulthood.
Many nations across the globe are stressing on higher-level standards of quality ECE for which they are making efforts Usually a child under three years of age is enrolled in ECE but the trend of four-year-olds attending some sort of care is also seen growing in the current times.
Throughout the course, you’ll be taught to develop skills in play pedagogy, safety, health and overall well-being, documentation, planning, sustainability education, understanding a child’s behaviour, diversity and inclusion, and teaching strategies.
A part of your training will also include interacting with babies, toddlers, and preschoolers in a myriad of early childhood education settings. The course will prepare you to become a competitive, skilled, and transformative early childhood educator. You’ll also learn the importance of play-based learning, where children engage in activities that facilitate learning and development while encompassing elements of play.
Need for Early Childhood Educators:
The formative years in the life of a child are very crucial, Australian education system has realized this and are focussing on it. International Students easily fit into this role as they bring with them their own diverse background and culture which in turn increases the exposure to children. While working during ECE on student visa, 40 hours is what you are allowed to and more so during the term breaks – now this enables you hands on experience in the sector while studying. And by the time your course completes, you already have hands on training in the market which increases your chances of permanent job in the sector.
Courses in Early Childhood Education:
- Certificate III in Early Childhood Education And Care
- Diploma of Early Childhood Education (1.5 years)
- Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education
- Bachelor in education in Early Childhood (3-4 years)
- Master of Teaching in Early Childhood (2 years full time)
CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
Packaging Rules
Total number of units = 17
- 15 core units
- 2 elective units, consisting of:
- 1 unit from the list below
- 1 unit from the electives listed below, elsewhere in the CHC Community Services Training Package, or any other current Training Package or accredited course.
The selection of electives chosen must be guided by the job outcome sought, local sector requirements and the complexity of skills appropriate to the AQF level of this qualification.
| Core Units | |
| CHCECE030 | Support inclusion and diversity |
| CHCECE031 | Support children’s health, safety and wellbeing |
| CHCECE032 | Nurture babies and toddlers |
| CHCECE033 | Develop positive and respectful relationships with children |
| CHCECE034 | Use an approved learning framework to guide practice |
| CHCECE035 | Support the holistic learning and development of children |
| CHCECE036 | Provide experiences to support children’s play and learning |
| CHCECE037 | Support children to connect with the natural environment |
| CHCECE038 | Observe children to inform practice |
| CHCECE054 | Encourage understanding of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples’ cultures |
| CHCECE055 | Meet legal and ethical obligations in children’s education and care |
| CHCECE056 | Work effectively in children’s education and care |
| CHCPRT001 | Identify and respond to children and young people at risk |
| HLTAID012 | Provide First Aid in an education and care setting |
| HLTWHS001 | Participate in workplace health and safety |
| Elective Units | |
| BSBSTR401 | Promote innovation in team environments |
| BSBSUS411 | Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices |
| CHCDIV001 | Work with diverse people |
| CHCECE039 | Comply with family day care administration requirements |
| CHCECE040 | Attend to daily functions in home-based child care |
| CHCPRP003 | Reflect on and improve own professional practice |
| CHCSAC009 | Support the holistic development of children in school age care |
| HLTFSE001 | Follow basic food safety practices |
CHC50121 – Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
Packaging Rules
Total number of units = 15
- 12 core units
- 3 elective units, consisting of:
- 2 units from the electives listed below
- up to 1 unit from the list below, elsewhere in the CHC Community Services Training Package, or any other current Training Package or accredited course.
The selection of electives chosen must be guided by the job outcome sought, local sector requirements and the complexity of skills appropriate to the AQF level of this qualification.
| Core Units | |
| BSBTWK502 | Manage team effectiveness |
| CHCECE041 | Maintain a safe and healthy environment for children |
| CHCECE042 | Foster holistic early childhood learning, development and wellbeing |
| CHCECE043 | Nurture creativity in children |
| CHCECE044 | Facilitate compliance in a children’s education and care service |
| 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 |
| CHCECE048 | Plan and implement children’s education and care curriculum |
| CHCECE049 | Embed environmental responsibility in service operations |
| CHCECE050 | Work in partnership with children’s families |
| CHCPRP003 | Reflect on and improve own professional practice |
| Elective Units | |
| BSBHRM413 | Support the learning and development of teams and individuals |
| BSBOPS502 | Manage business operational plans |
| BSBPEF502 | Develop and use emotional intelligence |
| BSBSTR501 | Establish innovative work environments |
| CHCDIV003 | Manage and promote diversity |
| CHCECE051 | Promote equity in access to the service |
| CHCECE052 | Plan service and supports for children and families |
| CHCECE053 | Respond to grievances and complaints about the service |
| CHCECE057 | Use collaborative practices to uphold child protection principles |
| CHCINM002 | Meet community information needs |
| CHCMGT003 | Lead the work team |
| CHCPOL002 | Develop and implement policy |
| CHCPOL003 | Research and apply evidence to practice |
| CHCSAC010 | Foster holistic learning, development and wellbeing for school age children |
Job Opportunities:
Graduates of Early Childhood Care can easily find employability in multiple ways which include:
- Early Childhood Educator
- Childcare worker
- Carer outside school hours
- Kindergarten Teacher
- Special Needs worker
Pathway to Australia:
Early Childhood Teaching along with Secondary school teaching falls under the Immigration Border Protection Medium to Long Term Strategic Skills Lists (MLTSSL). Now, this would mean if you are qualified as an Early Childhood Teacher you qualify to apply under independent general skilled migration which translates to Permanent Work Visas.
