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.

Professional Placement

160 hours of unpaid industry experience in Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care 280 hours of unpaid professional placement in Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.

Professional placement is 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.

You must also have a 'Working with Vulnerable People Check' before undertaking any professional placement with children. Students must complete National Child Safety Training prior to commencing professional placement in an early childhood service. 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 in the field by completing hands-on unpaid industry placement arranged by CIT.
  • Use CIT's industry network to connect you with employment opportunities.
  • Course Details
    Course/s

    Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care | CHC30125
    CRICOS: 119569D

    Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care | CHC50125
    CRICOS: 118566D

  • Course Duration
    Duration

    TOTAL CIT PACKAGE:

    Certificate III: 1 year – 2 semesters full-time (16 week duration). A minimum of 20 hours per week.

    Diploma: 1 year – 2 semesters full-time (16 week duration). A minimum of 20 hours per week. Includes a professional placement.

    For both courses you will also need to complete approx. 8 hours per week of independent and self-directed learning to practise and develop your skills.

  • Course Intake
    Intake

    2026 Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (July)

    2027 Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (July)

  • Course Campus
    Campus

    CIT Bruce

  • Course Fees
    Fees*

    Tuition Fees:

    2026:

    Certificate III $8,490 per semester (Total qualification tuition fee $16,980)

    Diploma $8,490 per semester (Total qualification tuition fee $16,980)

    2027:

    Certificate III $8,770 per semester (Total qualification tuition fee $17,540)

    Diploma $8,770 per semester (Total qualification tuition fee $17,540)

    Extra Fees:

    Certificate III: Material fees: $181.50, Uniform costs: $41.50.

    Working with Vulnerable People Check: $157 approx.

  • *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 tuition and material fee increases may occur annually in line with CIT's fee pricing review. 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.

    Literacy Skills Information:
    We suggest that you will need Australian Core Skills Framework literacy levels of at least 3 across reading, writing, learning, oral communication and, depending on your course of study, numeracy skills to successfully complete this course. If you do not have this level, you can still enrol and seek support to improve your skills, or you may prefer to begin with the lower level course.

    English requirements:
    Students must also meet one of the following English requirements:

    • IELTS 6.0 (no band score less than 5.5)
    • PTE Academic - 50 (minimum of 42 in each band)
    • Cambridge English test (C1 Advanced and B2 First) - 169

    Applicants who will not be studying on a student visa and who hold a suitable temporary visa for the full duration of the offered course will be required to meet Australian Core Skills Framework literacy levels of at least 3 in Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital skills (LLND) or equivalent.

    Transition Information

    Qualifications at CIT are regularly updated or replaced to meet current industry needs and maximise your employment opportunities. If this occurs while you are part way through a qualification, you may need to vary your learning to meet the new national requirements. CIT will aim to make this as smooth as possible for you.

    Additional Information

    You will be required to have a 'Working with Vulnerable People Check' before undertaking any professional placement with children.

  • Course Subjects - Certificate III

    Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care | CHC30125 - 17 subjects

    Core: complete all 15 subjects

    • CHCECE030 Support inclusion and diversity
    • CHCECE031 Support children's health, safety, and wellbeing
    • CHCECE032 Nurture babies and toddlers
    • CHCECE033 Develop positive and respectful relationships with children
    • CHCECE034 Use an approved learning framework to guide practice
    • CHCECE035 Support the holistic learning and development of children
    • CHCECE036 Provide experiences to support children's play and learning
    • CHCECE037 Support children to connect with the natural environment
    • CHCECE038 Observe children to inform practice
    • CHCECE054 Encourage understanding of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples' cultures
    • CHCECE055 Meet legal and ethical obligations in children's education and care
    • CHCECE056 Work effectively in children's education and care
    • CHCPRT025 Identify and report children and young people at risk
    • HLTAID012 Provide First Aid in an education and care setting
    • HLTWHS001 Participate in workplace health and safety

    Electives: complete 2 subjects

    • CHCDIV001   Work with diverse people
    • CHCPRP003   Reflect on and improve own professional practice
  • Course Subjects - Diploma

    Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care | CHC50125 - 15 subjects

    Core: complete all 12 subjects

    • 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

    Credit applies for the following subject on completion of Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care:

    • CHCPRP003 Reflect on and improve own professional practice

    Electives: complete 2 subjects

    • BSBSTR501 Establish innovative work environments
    • CHCECE051 Promote equity in access to the service

    Credit applies for the following subject on completion of Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care:

    • CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people
  • Likely Job Outcome

    Certificate III: Early childhood educator, family daycare educator.

    Diploma: Children's Service Director/Manager, Authorised Supervisor (Children’s Services), Early Childhood Educator, Children's Advisor, Team Leader (Children's Services).

  • 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 could 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 qualifications are nationally recognised and accredited by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA). This means graduates may be able to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) at Australian universities and receive credit towards a degree. Credit may be available even when there is no formal credit transfer agreement, but it is not guaranteed.

    Credit Transfer to the University of Canberra (UC)

    Students who complete the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care CHC50125 may receive credit towards the following UC degrees:

    Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to Five) (EDB001.1)

    • 24 credit points granted towards the 72-credit-point degree

    Bachelor of Early Childhood and Primary Education (326JA.4)

    • 24 credit points granted towards the 96-credit-point degree