Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

High Skilled Training and Education Australia (HSTAEA) offers the nationally recognised CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (CRICOS Course Code: 110285M) with high quality course materials and premier student support. We deliver training that meets the needs of our students and employers.

You are viewing information for domestic students.

National code CHC50121
Delivery Face-to-face and vocational placement
Duration This course is designed to be completed in four academic terms consisting of up to 44 weeks (excluding holidays).
Expected study hours Typical learners are expected to spend up to 1,390 hours depending on existing knowledge, skills, and experience.
Structure All learners will be assessed through the following methods:
  • Credit transfer
  • Observation: during on-the-job or role play/simulation
  • Questioning: may include self-assessment, verbal answers, written questionnaires, activity modules or interview
  • Structured activities: may include Projects, Case studies, presentations, role play, demonstration, progressive tasks
  • Third-party

Note: Please read the HSTAEA Student Handbook and other policies and procedures including Refund Policy, Complaints and Appeals Policy, RPL Procedure prior to enrolling.

Where can it take your career?

The CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care is the latest nationally accredited qualification for individuals who want to be in a range of early childhood education settings and work within the requirements of the Education and Care Services National Regulations and the National Quality Standard.

Participants in this program are typically individuals:

  • who want to gain knowledge, practical skills, and experience in early childhood education
  • who want to learn how to design and implement a curriculum in early childhood education and care services.
  • who are unemployed, seeking work and/or employed, seeking to upgrade skills/qualification
  • who have completed a CHC30113/CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.

What will you learn?

This course is designed to develop your expertise in early childhood education and care. Among others, you will learn to:

  • Maintain a safe and healthy environment for children
  • Foster holistic early childhood learning, development, and wellbeing
  • Develop and use emotional intelligence
  • Manage and promote diversity
  • Lead the work team.

What are the entry requirements?

  • Are 18 years or older
  • Have sound language, literacy, and numeracy skills* (at least Year 10 English, or equivalent) to be assessed using HSTAEA’s Pre-enrolment LLN assessment tool
  • Have basic computer skills
  • Have a current Working with Children Check, or be eligible to obtain this requirement**

*Learners who do not meet the LLN requirements of the course may still enrol into the course provided the enrolment has been endorsed by the trainer and corresponding additional support strategies have been put in place.

**Students who do not have their Working with Children Check prior to enrolment must apply for and obtain this requirement prior to vocational placement as required by this course.

What resources are needed?

What are the course units?

Upcoming course dates

You are viewing dates for domestic students.

No upcoming dates have been set for this course for domestic students, but you can still enquire directly to express your interest!

To pursue the Diploma program, you will need to have a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

Vocational Placement

Learners are required to undertake a minimum of 280 hours of vocational placement within a regulated children’s education and care service in Australia. This must occur after the student has satisfactorily completed all the other units/subjects in this qualification.

Learners have the option to:

  • look for a vocational placement provider themselves. (HSTAEA to check suitability of the workplace.)
  • request HSTAEA to assist in looking for a suitable vocational placement provider.
  • choose among HSTAEA’s network of childcare providers for their vocational placement.

Learners are recommended to decide on their vocational placement providers as soon as enrolment is confirmed to ensure that enough slots are available in each provider and to allow sufficient time for HSTAEA and the workplace partners to make the necessary preparations.

Several units included in this course require direct observation by the assessor.

What are the qualification pathways?

Learners may also consider additional training to complement your skills in early childhood education and care, with courses such as:

  • CHC50221 Diploma of School Age Education and Care*
  • TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment*
*This course is not currently offered by HSTAEA.

Is Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) available?

HSTAEA has a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy, to ensure that an individual’s prior learning, achieved through formal and informal training, work experience or other life experiences, is appropriately recognised. This recognition may assist students to progress faster through a unit of competency or allow the student full credit.