Payment Plans Available
This course does NOT have access to government funding.
But we do have interest-free payment plans for only $78 per week for 50 weeks.
Course Overview
Are you passionate about offering children the best opportunities for their individual development?
Our CHC50121 – Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care course is designed to train students in all aspects of childcare, from providing for care to babies, toddlers and children including assisting with routines, facilitating play to planning and implementing programs that support children’s development.
Some of the advanced skills you will learn in this course is how to make sure a facility follows the regulations of the National Quality Framework , management and leadership, health and safety management and develop and implement curriculum and programs for children including those with additional needs. The course has an ideal balance of theory and practical skills to ensure your confidence to advance in the workplace.
Campus Locations
Job Outcomes
Potential career outcomes could include:
- Early Childhood Educator
- Family Day Care Educator
- Room leader
- Senior educator
- Manager or Director of family daycare or long daycare
Recognition
Study Method
- BlendedBlended delivery - both online course content and partial face to face requirements
- In-classIn class delivery - predominately face to face course content conducted at a specific location
- OnlineOnline delivery - online course content with the exception of assessments and work placement
- VirtualVirtual Delivery - Live and interactive classroom-style learning conducted completely online
Locations
- Victoria
- Melbourne
- Caroline Springs
- Clyde
- Dandenong
- Fawkner
- Hoppers Crossing
- Werribee
- Melbourne
Duration Study Load
We have several options for how you can undertake this course:
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Class-Based Model
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Classroom based: Face-to-Face Theory + Practical Skills (Average duration 12 months)
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Blended: Online Zoom classes + Practical Skills (Average duration 12 months)
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Enhanced Blended: Online Zoom classes + Practical Skills (Average duration 15 months)
Self-Paced Model (available from April 2025)
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Self-Paced Model: Online Theory + Practical Skills (Average duration 10-15 months)
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Must be working in a centre in the role of an Educator to undertake the self-paced model (Family Day will not be suitable)
Traineeship
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Blended: Monthly Online Zoom classes + Practical Skills in the Workplace (Average duration 18 months)
Class-Based Models
These are delivered in the classroom or via live Zoom.
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29 X 5-Hour Theory Sessions (Enhanced Blended Model has 37 sessions with extra support)
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280 hours of practical placement (can commence in group 3)
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2 X 2 Hour Assessor Workplace Visit
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Recommended 15 hours of self-paced learning per week
Self-Paced Model
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Self-paced theory – study plans available for a 9-month fast track or 14-month standard duration
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280 hours of practical placement (can commence after all theory assessments & skills have been completed)
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2 X 2 Hour Assessor Workplace Visit
RPL and credit transfer can further reduce the duration of the course. The course structure and duration have been informed by both the learner cohort needs and industry feedback.
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Delivery
This course is divided into 4 groups plus practical placement.
Group 1 – Compliance
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5 theory assessments
Group 2 – Professional Practice
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5 theory assessments
Group 3 – Development and Relationships
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3 theory assessments
Group 4 -Program Development
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3 theory assessments
Practical Placement
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Complete 280 hours in a regulated children’s service
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2 assessor workplace visits towards the end of your placement hours
Onboarding Session – Self-paced students
To commence your course you will book an onboarding session with an Education Support trainer. In this session, they will show you how to use the systems, navigate our learning management system, submit assessments, and seek help. They will explain your desired study plans and provide you access to your first group of units.
Self-Paced Students – Booking Practical Skills Sessions
Practical skills sessions will generally always be held at our West Melbourne Campus, only 400 meters from North Melbourne train station. Generally skills sessions will be programmed during the Victorian school holidays, however, additional sessions may be available throughout the term.
You can only attend the class if you have completed all theory assessments for the group.
Student Support Class-based
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Assessment feedback is provided by your assessor via Canvas our LMS when assessments are submitted
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In-class support with your trainer
Student Support Self-paced
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Onboarding session at commencement
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Assessment feedback is provided by your assessor via Canvas our LMS when assessments are submitted
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You can request 2 x 1 -hour Zoom help session per group of units with a trainer for extra support
Entry Requirements
- Must have completed the CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care or CHC30113 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
- Availability to attend classes and placement (this course is not self-paced)
- Complete a pre-training review & language literacy and numeracy test (entry AQF level 4)
- Confident in the ability to use digital resources (email, online research, digital assessments, Zoom)
- Access to a computer and the internet (online classes will require cameras and microphones)
- Obtain a Working With Children Check (WWCC) prior to undertaking placement
- Ability to travel to and from placement
Work Placement
Practical placement is on-the-job training that you undertake during your course. This is a fantastic opportunity to practice the skills you are learning in the classroom in a supported manner.
This course requires 280 hours of practical placement at a regulated children’s service. Placement times will generally be Monday to Friday between 6.00am and 6.00pm, however, these could differ between centres.
You will require your own mode of transport to get to and from shifts. You should meet current industry vaccination requirements.
At the end of your placement, a trainer and assessor will conduct workplace visits and observations.
MCFE can provide support to help you find a placement, if after 3 attempts you have not found a suitable school. MCFE placement schools will be within Metro Melbourne and limited to schools we have regular contact with.
Travel Fees
Fees are charged for practical placement visits greater than 50km from head office address West Melbourne. Visits are limited to Victoria locations.
This excludes classes delivered in regional areas, specifically to regional students.
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$3 per kilometre over 50 kilometres from head office address. Charged for travel 2 ways.
Plus, if applicable
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Visits 300 kilometers plus from head office address extra $150 accommodation fee
Recognition Of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), Recognition of Current Competency (RCC) and Credit Transfer (CT) are available. Costs may apply, refer to the statement of fees and charges on our website.
Assessment
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16 x theory assessments (short answer, multiple choice, case studies and projects)
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Logbook of 280 hours of practical placement
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Workplace Tasks /Project
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Workplace Observations (Completed by your assessor in the workplace visit)
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), Recognition of Current Competency (RCC) and Credit Transfer (CT) are available.
Students that use AI in their assessments risk withdrawal, please refer to our student handbook.
Materials
All learning content and assessments are on Canvas our Learning Management System (LMS).
Testimonials
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"I loved the flexibility of the course and having classes on Saturday made sure it didn’t interfere with my business in family day care and my family commitments. Our tutor was very knowledgeable and always ready to help"Kashmere RatuDiploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (Melbourne Only)
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"I’ve been working in the industry full time since the day after I finished my course. Without MCFE I wouldn’t be working in my dream career."Crystelle O’tooleDiploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (Melbourne Only)
Subjects
About Melbourne College of Further Education
Melbourne College of Further Education (MCFE) is a small and trusted RTO with over 20 years’ experience in training, supporting and inspiring students to succeed in their chosen pathway. We believe in real skills for real jobs, we take the extra time to customise our course materials and create new and innovative ways of delivering course content.
As a Registered Training Organisation [RTO] qualifications completed with MCFE are recognised nationally. Qualifications achieved through the Australian VET system are also very highly regarded internationally. Our mission is to provide pathways into industry to contribute to a successful, skilled and innovative workforce.
MCFE offers high quality training both face to face and via a blended online model, offering students options to undertake our courses in a way that best suits their lifestyle.
Our trainers are dedicated and highly qualified with extensive practical industry experience and committed to providing quality outcomes to our students and ensuring that all training is both engaging and an enjoyable experience.
Our student support team are extremely passionate and committed to helping students succeed. They are always on hand to help with any questions and provide students with the support they may need to complete the course satisfactorily, especially if circumstances change.
Melbourne College of Further Education is a trading name of iAscend Polytechnic (RTO 21340)
