Early Childhood Education and Care

Working with children is an incredibly rewarding career path, and many job opportunities exist in this high-demand profession.

Learn about children through observation, discussion and practical experience. Nurture your understanding of child development and behaviour, and build your skills and abilities in educating and caring for children. The Diploma will enhance your skills and enable you to lead teams, manage programs, and design and implement curriculum for children in early childhood education and care centres.

Industry Placement

With 480 hours of unpaid industry experience fully coordinated by CIT, you will have the skills and confidence to be ready for employment. The professional work placements take place at different early childhood education and care services and often leads to casual or part-time employment opportunities.

(120 hours of unpaid industry placement each semester. Certificate III – 240 hours. Diploma – 240 hours.)

You must also have a 'Working with Vulnerable People Check' before undertaking any professional placement with children. Information will be provided on enrolment.

Why study at CIT?

  • Modern on-campus childcare facility.
  • Learn from passionate and experienced early childhood educators.
  • Pathways into education and teaching degrees at university.
  • Gain professional experience by completing 120 hours of unpaid industry placement each semester.
  • Use CIT's industry network to connect you with employment opportunities.
  • Course Details
    Course/s

    Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care | CHC30113
    CRICOS: 081245G

    Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care | CHC50113
    CRICOS: 082380D

  • Course Duration
    Duration

    TOTAL CIT PACKAGE: 2 years
    Certificate III: 1 year Diploma: 1 year

  • Course Intake
    Intake

    2022 Semester 1 (February) only

    2023 Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (July)

  • Course Campus
    Campus

    CIT Bruce

  • Course Fees
    Fees*

    Tuition Fees:

    2022: $7,250 per semester

    2023: $7,450 per semester

    Extra Fees:

    Certificate III: Material fees: $165, Uniform costs: $34.

    Diploma: Material fees: $26, Uniform costs: $34.

  • *Please note - Course fees are listed in $AUD and are based on a semester rate. Total course cost will vary depending on semester start date. Small fee increases may happen annually in line with CIT's fee pricing review. 2022 and 2023 fees are subject to change.

  • Entry Requirements

    Academic requirements:

    • Year 12 Certificate (or equivalent)


    Students over the age of 20 may be eligible for adult entry with relevant practical work or other professional experience. Please refer to Entry Requirements for more information.

    English requirements:

    • IELTS 6.0 (no band score less than 5.5)
    • TOEFL iBT - 60
    • PTE Academic - 50 (minimum of 36 in each band)
    • Cambridge English test (C1 Advanced and B2 First) - 169
  • Course Subjects - Certificate III

    Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care | CHC30113 - 18 subjects

    Core: complete all 15 subjects

    • CHCLEG001 Work legally and ethically
    • CHCECE001 Develop cultural competence
    • CHCECE002 Ensure the health and safety of children
    • CHCECE003 Provide care for children
    • CHCECE004 Promote and provide healthy food and drinks
    • CHCECE005 Provide care for babies and toddlers
    • CHCECE007 Develop positive and respectful relationships with children
    • CHCECE009 Use an approved learning framework to guide practice
    • CHCECE010 Support the holistic development of children in early childhood
    • CHCECE011 Provide experiences to support children's play and learning
    • CHCECE013 Use information about children to inform practice
    • CHCPRT001 Identify and respond to children and young people at risk
    • HLTAID004 Provide an emergency first aid response in an education and care setting
    • HLTWHS001 Participate in workplace health and safety
    • CHCDIV002 Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety

    Electives: complete 3 subjects

    • CHCECE006 Support behaviour of children and young people
    • CHCECE012 Support children to connect with their world
    • CHCECE026 Work in partnership with families to provide appropriate education and care for children
  • Course Subjects - Diploma

    Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care | CHC50113 - 28 subjects

    (Subjects completed in the Certificate III will not need to be completed again)

    Core: complete all 23 subjects

    • CHCECE001 Develop cultural competence
    • CHCECE002 Ensure the health and safety of children
    • CHCECE003 Provide care for children
    • CHCECE004 Promote and provide healthy food and drinks
    • CHCECE005 Provide care for babies and toddlers
    • CHCECE007 Develop positive and respectful relationships with children
    • CHCECE009 Use an approved learning framework to guide practice
    • CHCECE016 Establish and maintain a safe and healthy environment for children
    • CHCECE017 Foster the holistic development and wellbeing of the child in early childhood
    • CHCECE018 Nurture creativity in children
    • CHCECE019 Facilitate compliance in an education and care service
    • CHCECE020 Establish and implement plans for developing cooperative behaviour
    • CHCECE021 Implement strategies for the inclusion of all children
    • CHCECE022 Promote children's agency
    • CHCECE023 Analyse information to inform learning
    • CHCECE024 Design and implement the curriculum to foster children's learning and development
    • CHCECE025 Embed sustainable practices in service operations
    • CHCECE026 Work in partnership with families to provide appropriate education and care for children
    • CHCPRT001 Identify and respond to children and young people at risk
    • HLTAID004 Provide an emergency first aid response in an education and care setting
    • HLTWHS003 Maintain work health and safety
    • CHCDIV002 Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
    • CHCLEG001 Work legally and ethically

    Electives: complete 5 subjects

    • BSBLED401 Develop teams and individuals
    • CHCECE011 Provide experiences to support children's play and learning
    • CHCECE010 Support the holistic development of children in early childhood
    • CHCECE013 Use information about children to inform practice
    • CHCMGT003 Lead the work team
  • Likely Job Outcome

    Certificate III: Early childhood educator, Outside school hours assistant, family daycare worker, Preschool assistant.

    Diploma: Early childhood worker, team leader, educational leader, director/manager, outside school hours coordinator.

  • Teaching Methods and Assessment

    Delivery will be through an integrated on the job/off the job strategy which will be based on adult learning principles. Students study as members of a class group (on the job), reinforced learning through eLearn, as well as being placed in a registered Children’s Education and Care setting where students have the opportunity to apply and practice knowledge and skills. Students will be required to demonstrate competency in their learning off the job as well as on the job.

    Methods of assessment include direct observation in the workplace and workplace simulation, a portfolio of notes and annotated evidence, reports, presentations and written or oral questioning.

  • Pathways to Further Study

    CIT’s credit transfer arrangements can reduce the time and fees required to complete a bachelor degree at university. If you successfully complete your CIT qualification and gain entry into the university below, you will receive the following:

    Australian Catholic University (ACU)

    If you complete the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC50113) you can receive:

    • 80 credit points (8 units) towards ACU’s Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to Five Years)
    • 60 credit points (6 units) towards ACU’s Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary) *Without a religious strand
    • 30 credit points (3 units) towards ACU’s Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary) *With a religious strand
    • 10 credit points (1 unit) towards ACU’s Bachelor of Education (Primary)

    University of Canberra (UC)

    • If you complete the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC50113) you can receive 24 credit points (1 year) towards UC’s Bachelor of Early Childhood and Primary Education (326JA.2)
    Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (1 year)
    PLUS
    Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (1 year)
    = 2 years of study
    ▼
    Optional degree pathway available