How long does the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care take?

12 months, full-time or part-time, or sooner.

What are the entry requirements?

You need a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30125 or equivalent), plus a Working With Vulnerable People Check including a national police check.

What roles can the Diploma lead to?

It can lead to roles such as Room Leader, Centre Manager or Director, Program Leader, Educational Leader and Children's Services Coordinator.

What is the difference between the Certificate III and the Diploma?

The Certificate III is the entry-level qualification to work in early childhood; the Diploma is advanced, preparing you for leadership and management roles.

CHC50125

Diploma of Early
Childhood Education & Care

The advanced qualification for room leaders and senior educators.

CHC50125 · Nationally Recognised Training

Course overview

CHC50125 builds on the Certificate III to prepare you to plan, implement and manage programs in early childhood services, with a focus on leadership, compliance and duty of care.

At a glance

Course at a glance

12 months

Full-time/part-time, or sooner

15 units

12 core + 3 elective

280 hours

Work placement

Entry

Cert III in ECEC required

How it's delivered

Delivered on the job over around 12 months (or sooner) as an employer-sponsored pathway – your trainer visits you one-on-one in your workplace. Structured training is combined with supervised work placement, including at least 280 hours in an approved early childhood education and care service. Ask us about eligibility.

Units within this course

Core subjects

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 an 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 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
BSBTWK502 Manage team effectiveness

Elective options

CHCDIV003 Manage and promote diversity
CHCMGT003 Lead the work team
BSBHRM413 Support the learning and development of teams and individuals

What you’ll learn

Skills for real care work

Before you start

Entry requirements

Entry pathways — you need ONE of the following

Hold CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (or its equivalent successor)

Hold an Australian Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care or an Australian Diploma in Certificate III in Children's Services and demonstrate at least 12 months of cumulative employment (full-time equivalent) within the last five years in a regulated education and care service in Australia, supported by verifiable evidence

Hold the CHCSS00147 Entry into Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

All applicants also need

✓Working With Vulnerable People Check (incl. national police check)

Where it can lead

Career outcomes

A recognised pathway into senior early-childhood roles.

Ready to enrol?

Ask us about start dates, eligibility and paid traineeship options – or call 1300 53 50 20.

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