Course outline
Quality early childhood education and care supports healthy early childhood development and prepares children for primary school.
This course is designed to prepare you to work effectively in regulated children’s education and care services in Australia. You’ll learn how support children’s wellbeing and development using an approved learning framework to guide your practice.
Much of your time during this course will be spent on placements within children’s services. You’ll watch and learn from other professionals. You’ll practice using your discretion and judgment when carrying out your work in the context of established policies and procedures.
We’ll equip you to create to social, physical, personal, creative and cognitive learning opportunities.
Learn skills such as:
• supporting the holistic learning and development of children
• working effectively in children’s education and care
• developing experiences to support children’s play and learning
• providing first aid in an education and care setting
• identifying and responding to children and young people at risk
• following basic food safety practices.
This course will prepare you for roles such as early childhood educator, education assistant and outside school hours care worker. You may work independently or under the guidance of others, although in some contexts that guidance may not be onsite.
On successful completion of this qualification, you may choose to continue your studies with the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.
Facilities
Our Mt Helen and Wimmera campuses offer modern classrooms and learning areas. In addition, we have a fully equipped and operating Children’s Centres at our Mt Helen and SMB campuses, which offers quality programs for children aged six weeks to five years. Students are able to observe educators and participate in other learning opportunities at these centres.
Hear from our students
"Not having the financial burden of studying took pressure off my family and knowing that the qualification would pretty much provide guaranteed employment at the end was great."
"I love having the opportunity to build relationships with the children in my care and create a supportive environment where they are safe to take risks and explore their environment and their abilities. For me, every day is challenging and engaging in a different way."
Career opportunities
- Early Childhood Educator
- Education Assistant
- Outside School Hours Care Worker
Course content
The course content below provides all possible units related to the course. If the course has various streams, the units you are required to study will depend on your chosen stream.
Contact hours
This course is delivered in a Hybrid model on Tuesdays and Thursdays of structured classes from 9:30 am to 3:30 with an additional day of optional supervised learning support on Wednesdays 9:30 am to 3:30 pm
We recommend that approximately 10 hours per week should be put aside for these activities/ time commitments outside of class.
Work integrated learning
Please note that there is a mandatory industry work placement for this course of 160 hours. Federation TAFE will arrange this for you.
Entry requirements
For all TAFE applications, pre-training review questions and a literacy and numeracy review are part of the application process.
All applicants are required to
- attend an interview
- hold a valid Police Check
- hold a valid Working With Children Check (WWCC)
- hold a valid NDIS check
Please note the Police Check and Working With Children Check (WWCC) will be at your own expense.
If enrolling as a Trainee, all Trainees must have a signed training contract between employer and trainee lodged with an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN). Information on Government employment incentives/subsidies and wages is also available from AASN's.
How to apply
For information in relation to the University and students rights and responsibilities please refer to the VET Information Guide.
Applicants need to demonstrate the literacy and numeracy skills required to undertake this course through a test as part of the application process. The test will be conducted through Federation College prior to commencement of training. Feedback will be provided to the applicant on their results and types of support, if necessary, available to them.
Direct application: Yes
Federation University code: LBA
National course code: CHC30121
Fees and scholarships
Tuition Fees
The tuition fees you will pay depends on your eligibility for a Victorian Government subsidised place under the Skills First Program.
Find out more about eligibility here.
| Concession Government Subsidised Place | Standard Government Subsidised Place | Full Fee Place (Not eligible for government subsidy) |
|---|---|---|
| $1,040 | $5,199 | $13,584 |
*Fees displayed are estimates for the total course and may change depending on individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees are subject to change annually.
Visit our fees and charges page for more information.
Important Information
Direct Debit Payment Plans are available for eligible students to help manage the payment of tuition and material fees throughout the enrolment year (excluding Diploma/Advanced Diploma tuition fees).
Students accessing government-subsidised training under the Skills First Program need to be aware that enrolling in a qualification may affect their ability to access future government-subsidised training.
Free TAFE: Under the Victorian Government Free TAFE initiative, some courses have free tuition for eligible students, however material fees (if applicable) will be payable by the student. Free TAFE is subject to availability and eligibility requirements.
Further information on fees, payments and refunds is available here.
Scholarships
Our scholarships and grants can help with your study costs. Explore our scholarships to find an opportunity that's right for you.
Recognition of prior learning
If what you have learned at work, from other courses, units, from life experience or training provided at work is relevant to this course, you may be entitled to gain unit credits or exemptions. The University is obliged to recognise the AQF qualifications and statements of attainment issued by other registered training organisations. For further details contact Federation University on 1800 333 864.
Pathways/alternate entry
Successful completion of this program provides a direct pathway into the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.
Additional information
A range of student services are available at most campuses. For further information on these services or for course information, please contact us on 1800 333 864.
The commencement of all courses is subject to available funding and enrolment quotas.
All information contained in this course overview including the availability of courses and fees, is correct at the time of being published, however the University reserves the right to alter any course, procedure or fee. Students should check for any amendment prior to enrolment.
CRICOS Provider No.00103D
Please note: This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding to eligible individuals.
National RTO Code: 4909