Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
CHC50121
Length
1Year (full time)
2 Years (part time)
Location
Study Mode
Online Classes & Face to face Workshops
On Campus & Online
Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care - CHC50121
Course Overview
The Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care is the recognised pathway to become a fully qualified Early Childhood Educator. Following the introduction of Three-Year-Old Kindergarten, Early Childhood Educators are in demand more than ever across Victoria, with an estimated 6000 educators needed by 2029.
Students undertaking this course will gain skills in:
- Best practice and quality assurance
- Planning for children with additional needs
- Networking
- Effective communication
- Family partnerships
- Childhood development (aesthetic, creative, and physical)
- Music program
- Health and safety.
Prospective students must pride themselves on being empathetic, patient, and accountable, with the ability to problem-solve and engage with adults.
This course is currently available as part of the Free TAFE scheme but is subject to eligibility requirements and may change in the future.
Careers & study pathways
Where can this course take me?
Roles graduates may be eligible for include:
- Nominated Supervisor/Director of Service
- Educational Leader
- Early Childhood Educator
- Playgroup Leader
- Family Day Care Provider or Coordinator
- Nanny/Au Pair
Further study
After graduating, participants might like to undertake further study at a university level in a Bachelor of Early Childhood/Early Learning or Primary Teaching.
Course details
Upcoming dates and times
Choose a location below to learn more about when this course is offered and on which days you’ll need to attend.
Shepparton - Fryers Street
(5 commencing soon)
Open From: 29-Jan-2025 - Traineeship - Part time - Various - Online Classes & Face to face Workshops
Term 2 - Starts On: 28-Apr-2025 - Workplace - Part time - Various - Online Classes & Face to face Workshops - Applications Close: 07-Apr-2025
Term 3 - Starts On: 21-Jul-2025 - Workplace - Part time - Various - Online Classes & Face to face Workshops - Applications Close: 30-Jun-2025
Starts On: 21-Jul-2025 - Full time - Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday - 9.00am - 3.30pm - On Campus & Online - Applications Close: 30-Jun-2025
Term 4 - Starts On: 06-Oct-2025 - Workplace - Part time - Various - Online Classes & Face to face Workshops - Applications Close: 15-Sep-2025
Study units
Take a look at some of the subjects you’ll be studying when you take this course.
This course requires a total of 15 units: 12 core and 3 elective.
Core units
12 unit(s)
- 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
3 unit(s)
- BSBHRM413 Support the learning and development of teams and individuals
- BSBPEF502 Develop and use emotional intelligence
- CHCECE053 Respond to grievances and complaints about the service
Attendance & commitment
General public blended delivery | 1-year course length | Full-time study load
Students are expected to:
- Attend campus 2 days a week and virtual class 1 day per week - 6 hours a day.
- Spend approximately 15 hours per week working through their course materials, research, revision, and completion of assessments.
- Attend a minimum of 80% of scheduled classes.
- Attend industry excursions 3 x per year.
- Complete 280 hours of placement, as outlined in the placement details below.
Workplace online delivery | 1-year course length | Full-time study load
Students are expected to:
- Attend virtual classes 1 day per week (1 hour per class).
- Attend monthly workshops on campus (approx. 8 throughout course duration).
- Spend approximately 19 hours per week working through their course materials, research, revision, and completion of assessments.
- Meet with their trainer at their place of work at least 4 times per year.
- Be employed in industry for a min. of 2 days per week (15 hours minimum).
- Complete their 280 mandated hours of placement requirements in their workplace (this is included in normal employment hours).
Traineeship online delivery | 2 years course length | Full-time study load
Students are expected to:
- Attend virtual classes for 1 hour each week.
- Spend approximately 10 hours per week working through their course materials, research, revision, and completion of assessments.
- Attend a minimum of 80% of scheduled classes.
- Meet with their trainer at their place of work at least 4 times per year.
- Complete their 280 mandated hours of placement requirements in their workplace (this is included in normal employment hours).
Placement details:
- Placement is organised by GOTAFE.
- Placement occurs in two blocks. Each block lasts for 4 weeks (38 hours per week) in a regulated Early Childhood and Care Service. Hours will vary and may range between 6am-6.30pm, depending on the service requirements.
- Students may need to travel (up to approximately 50km away) throughout Victoria (at their own cost).
- During their placement students will be required to undertake the role of an Early Childhood Educator and their skills and knowledge will be assessed by a GOTAFE trainer.
- A GOTAFE polo shirt is to be worn during placement.
Assessment methods
Assessment methods may include:
- Written questions
- Portfolios
- Projects
- Written reports
- Workplace observations
Before you begin
Entry requirements
GOTAFE entry requirements
Before being accepted into this course applicants must:
- Complete a Basic Key Skills Builder (BKSB) online test to ensure the required literacy & numeracy levels for the course are met.
- Undertake a Pre-training Review by interview to ensure the course suits their needs and aspirations, and that they are likely to complete the course successfully.
- Have completed a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30113 or CHC30121).
- Students will be required to hold a valid Working With Children Check (Volunteer).
- Students will be required to provide a Police Check with no disclosable outcomes (dated within 6 months).
- Prospective Traineeship or Apprenticeship students are required to apply through an Apprenticeship Network Provider with their employer to organise their apprenticeship contract before applying for this course.
Inherent requirements
Participants will need the physical and psychological stamina to carry out:
- Lifting children.
- Repetitive bending down to children's level.
- Lifting and moving child-sized furniture.
- Role modelling and engaging in physical activity.
- Maintaining adult hygiene.
- Demonstrating empathy, patience, and resilience required for working with babies and young children in a range of situations.
Student resources
Students must have:
- A laptop/computer with internet access.
- Access to a digital camera or video camera for visual and audio assessment tasks.
- General stationery (pens, pencils, rulers).
- GOTAFE polo shirt is required to be worn during placement (available for purchase at the induction) along with black shoes and black pants.
Recommended textbooks:
- Programming & Planning in Early Childhood Settings, Cengage, Docker et al.
- Child & Adolescent Development for Educators Cengage Bergin et al.
Enrolment
Please note: Eligible individuals who wish to access a government-subsidised place, must participate in a Pre-training Review. This will consider your:
- Aspirations/career goals
- Educational attainment and capability
- Literacy and numeracy skills
- Suitability for Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer
Skills recognition / Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Skills Recognition is an assessment only process that may result in credits towards a part or full qualification. There is no formal training involved, although you may choose to complete further training as a result of the assessment process.
You can apply for Skills Recognition before you enrol in the qualification you are seeking. You can apply for Skills Recognition through one or both of the following processes:
- Credit Transfer for formal training that might be equivalent to a new qualification or partial qualification.
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for people who have relevant and current skills and knowledge that they have gained through non-formal or informal learning i.e. work or life experience.
Fees and payments
This course is available as part of the Free TAFE scheme for eligible students.
Fees and costs
GOTAFE offers a range of payment options to help you pay your tuition fees, so you can get on with your studies.
This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding to eligible individuals.
Please note that the fees on this webpage, for this particular course:
- are correct at the time of publishing for those enrolling in 2025 and may change without notice.
- will be discussed with applications as part of the application process to ensure it is understood what is being paid for and which fee rates they may be eligible for.
Course Fees consist of three different components:
- Student Tuition Fee - covers the costs of training and assessment. These fees vary across courses and are calculated based on a rate per nominal hour enrolled in. The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Circumstances may include:
- an individual’s eligibility for Victorian (Skills First) and Commonwealth government-funded training
- an individual’s eligibility for concession rates on Victorian (Skills First) and Commonwealth government-funded training
- ineligible individuals who are required to pay the full fees for tuition and other costs.
- Material Fee - where applicable, cover the costs of classroom consumables, handouts and booklets, e-Learning resources and associated license access fees and excursions.
- Student Services Fee (SSF) – contributes to the provision of student engagement, learning and support services. SSF is a non-refundable annual fee that does not apply to short-course participants.
Additionally, some courses require students to purchase or supply textbooks, kits, tools, uniforms and personal protection equipment. Some specific materials may be purchased through the GOTAFE Bookshop. A full list with associated costs will be provided to you at your course information session, induction session, or during the pre-training review interview.
GOTAFE offers a range of payment options to help you pay your fees.
Learn more about fees, charges, refunds and payment options
Student support
As an enrolled student at GOTAFE you may access a wide range of academic support services to assist you to meet the academic challenges of your course from our Learning Support Unit.
Learning support
A free and confidential service to help you build the foundation skills you need to be successful at TAFE. Improve your english language, maths and/or writing skills; enhance your computer, exam and study skills.
Learn more about our learning support services
Library
Our library team are passionate about supporting students to achieve their study goals. They have subject guides, referencing help, and online resources to assist you with you assessments.
Find how to reach out to our library in Shepparton
Jobs and study options
Our Skills and Jobs Centres can assist and talk through options for courses, careers, assistance with job applications and more.
Reach out to our Skills and Jobs Centres
Contingent Study Arrangements
Where a situation arises that prevents campus attendance (such as COVID restrictions, natural disasters, etc.) and it is deemed an appropriate response in protecting the health and safety of staff, students, and visitors, this course will adapt to alternative training arrangements, possibly using online methods of teaching and/or communication while students engage from home with their Trainers. Any required practical components of the course will be moved to a more appropriate time.
Whether you need support with time management, your mental health, grief and loss, a diagnosed disability, financial hardship, or any other challenge life throws your way, we are here to help.
Support for personal issues
We have a dedicated team to ensure students have the help they need with personal issues impacting studies such as homelessness, family problems & setting up payment plans.
Find out how the Student Experience Team can help you
Disability support
Get access to the supports and adjustments you need for your disability or medical condition to be successful in your studies.
Seek support from our Equitable Learning Advisors
Counselling services
We offer free counselling services to help you work through life's challenges including grief and loss, mental health or relationships.
Learn about our Student Wellbeing Advisors
Koorie Unit
The Koorie Unit is a culturally safe space on our Shepparton Fryers Street Campus for all Koorie students enrolled and studying through GOTAFE, or with one of our education partnering organisations.
Refer to the Student Handbook for information regarding Learner’s Rights Student Handbook.
Further information is provided at course induction.
This course is government accredited and has national recognition.
Browse other courses
Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30121)
The Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care is the recognised qualification to seek work as an entry-level Early Childhood Educator.
Certificate IV in Disability Support (CHC43121)
Learn the skills to provide training and support that empowers people with disabilities to achieve greater levels of independence, self-reliance, community participation, and wellbeing.
Disability Work - Behaviour Support (CHCSS00124)
This short course reflects the skill requirements for workers wanting to develop the ability to assist people with disability who display behaviours of concern.
