CHC50121 - Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
Overview
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. Educators 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 be responsible for supervising 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 course.
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Study Experience
- Fast-Tracked Course
- Flexible Online Study
- Clustered Course Units
- Experienced Teaching Team
- Seamless Pathway
- Study Now, Pay Later
“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 |
|---|---|
| CHCECE046 | Implement strategies for the inclusion of all children |
| CHCECE045 | Foster positive and respectful interactions and behaviour in children |
| CHCECE047 | Analyse information to inform children’s learning |
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 |
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 |
|---|---|
| CHCECE046 | Implement strategies for the inclusion of all children |
| CHCECE047 | Analyse information to inform children’s learning |
| CHCECE045 | Foster positive and respectful interactions and behaviour in children |
CLUSTER 4 PLANNING AND PEDAGOGY
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
|---|---|
| CHCECE043 | Nurture creativity in children |
| CHCECE048 | Plan and implement children’s education and care curriculum |
| CHCECE042 | Foster holistic early childhood learning, development and wellbeing |
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 |
|---|---|
| CHCECE049 | Embed environmental responsibility in service operations |
| CHCECE045 | Foster positive and respectful interactions and behaviour in children |
| 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 |
| CHCECE043 | Nurture creativity in children |
| CHCECE048 | Plan and implement children’s education and care curriculum |
| CHCECE050 | Work in partnership with children’s families |
| CHCECE042 | Foster holistic early childhood learning, development and wellbeing |
| CHCPRP003 | Reflect on and improve own professional practice |
| CHCECE046 | Implement strategies for the inclusion of all children |
ELECTIVE UNITS
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
|---|---|
| CHCINM002 | Meet community information needs |
| CHCECE053 | Respond to grievances and complaints about the service |
| CHCMGT003 | Lead the work team |
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-funded training programs, such as Certificate 3 Guarantee and Higher Level Skills, require students to contribute to the cost of their education through a co-contribution fee. This fee varies depending on the course and the student's eligibility for a concessional rate. Additional costs, such as uniforms and course resources, may also apply. More details on eligibility and exemptions can be found on How to Apply for TAFE Certificates and Diplomas.
Starting the 1st of July 2025, the Queensland Government is updating its TAFE subsidy offerings. Students commencing from this date will need to be reassessed, potentially requiring additional documentation to maintain their funding. Those who do not provide the necessary documents, or are no longer eligible, may lose their subsidy and continue as full-fee-paying students. For more information visit Paying for TAFE and review Important Changes to TAFE Subsidies from July 2025.
If you are unsure of your eligibility or wish to discuss your options further, please connect with us on 13 27 86.
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.
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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
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