- This course is delivered with Skills First Funding for eligible individuals
- This course is only available to Australian or New Zealand Citizens or Permanent Residents.
Course Overview
This qualification reflects the role of educators in early childhood education and care who work in regulated children’s education and care services in Australia. They support children’s wellbeing and development in the context of an approved learning framework. Educators use a range of well-developed skills and knowledge using discretion and judgment when carrying out their work in the context of established policies and procedures.
They may work independently or under the guidance of others, though in some contexts that guidance may not be on-site. Early childhood educators work in long daycare centres, family daycare, pre-schools or kindergartens. To achieve this qualification, the individual must have completed a total of at least 160 hours of work in a regulated children’s education and care service in Australia as detailed in the Assessment Requirements of units of competency. The total number of hours may be applied collectively across all units of competency that include the requirement for workplace hours.
Campus Locations
Job Outcomes
Potential career outcomes could include:
- Early Childhood Educator
- Family Day Care Educator
- Kindergarten Assistant
- Childcare Assistant
- Playgroup Supervisor
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
The course is delivered over 36 weekly classes — classes are generally 9.30 am-2.30 pm. In addition, you will complete 160 hours of practical placement and approximately 15 hours of self-paced learning each week.
It is expected that the course could take 12 months to complete — this can vary from person to person.
Delivery
The two following delivery modes are available:
- Real-time virtual classroom delivery: Training is conducted online through our learning management system.
- Face to face delivery: Dandenong – we also run classes at other hired locations in different suburbs. Please contact the enrolment coordinator to discuss your preferred location.
Our enrolment coordinator will discuss the most suitable delivery mode for you.
- Class sessions are planned once a week to ensure that you have a mixture of practical and theoretical components and those classes cater for a wide variety of learning styles.
- Additionally, workplace practices and environments will be regularly simulated and used to conduct skills-based assessments in accordance with unit requirements.
- Homework tasks may include research, readings from related textbooks and continuing to work on assessment tasks. Students are provided with the learning resource for each unit to support their learning.
Entry Requirements
- The ability to travel to and from placements – placement hours can be early starts
- Access to a computer or smart device and the internet to complete your studies and the ability to access websites and undertake online research and assessments
- Obtain a Working with Children Check (WWCC) before commencing your placement
- The required Language, Literacy and Numeracy skills to complete a Certificate Ill level course. This will be assessed in your pre-training review during enrolment
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 you to complete 160 hours in the workplace. A workplace trainer will visit you in the workplace to observe and assess competency in skills towards the end of your placement hours.
Assessment
- Theory questions and quizzes
- Projects, assignments and case studies
- Log book of hours completed during placement
- Practical demonstrations in simulation and the workplace
- Oral questions
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), Recognition of Current Competency (RCC) and Credit Transfer (CT) are available
Testimonials
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"I loved the course with MCFE; the materials were great, and the trainer was so understanding and helpful. I have never worked in the industry before, so it was daunting to begin with – but I was given all the skills and confidence I needed for when I started my placement."Louise Carson
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)