Course Overview
Prepare for a rewarding career as a qualified early childhood educator with the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
This nationally recognised qualification will equip you with the advanced skills needed to nurture, teach, and guide young children through their vital early years of learning and development. This Diploma is recognised by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) and is listed in their National Quality Framework.
You’ll gain the knowledge and practical experience to design, implement, and evaluate educational programs for children from birth to five years. Graduates of this qualification are in high demand across childcare centres, preschools, and early learning settings.
Who's It For?
This course is suited to educators who already work with young children and want to take on leadership roles, such as room leader or centre director. It is designed for people who hold a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care or a related children's services qualification and have recent experience working in a regulated education and care service.
It is also relevant for those starting a new career or building on existing experience in childcare, education, or support services.
Job Outcomes
Potential career outcomes could include:
- Room Leader
- Centre Director
- Early Childhood Educator
What You'll Learn
Studying this Diploma will enable you to:
- Design, implement, and evaluate educational programs for children from birth to five years
- Foster inclusion, diversity, and respectful environments for children and staff
- Manage compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements in childcare services
- Lead and support teams of educators
- Build strong partnerships with families
- Apply evidence-based practices to improve outcomes for children and families
- Promote sustainability and environmental responsibility within early childhood services
Recognition
Study Method
- OnlineOnline delivery - online course content with the exception of assessments and work placement
- 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
- VirtualVirtual Delivery - Live and interactive classroom-style learning conducted completely online
Duration Study Load
Full-time study of the course takes approximately 12 months. Students have up to five (5) years from the date of enrolment to complete the course.
The course can be studied on a full-time, part-time, or self-paced basis.
Delivery
The Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care is delivered fully online. Students can study from home and progress at their own pace, supported by experienced trainers and a dedicated student support team.
Students can elect to complete practical components through alternate means, such as a one-on-one or small group session with a private assessor. Private assessors are available in numerous regional areas across Australia. Students can also complete practical components by video recording a demonstration of their skills.
Entry Requirements
Entry to this qualification is open to individuals who hold:
- CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, OR
- CHC30113 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.
Alternatively, individuals may hold:
- An Australian diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care, OR
- An Australian diploma or certificate III in Children's Services,
AND
- Demonstrate at least 12 months of cumulative employment (full-time equivalent) within the last 5 years in a regulated education and care service in Australia, supported by verifiable evidence, OR
- Hold the CHCSS00147 Entry into Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.
Course Features
Flexible online learning — study from home at your own pace
Experienced trainers and a dedicated student support team
Unlimited access to the Institute's Toll Free Study Assistance Line (1300), 9am–5pm EST Monday to Friday, staffed by degree-qualified education advisers
Access to the My AIPC Student Portal for e-learning, workbook downloads, activity uploads, and the Knowledge Base
Private assessors available in numerous regional areas across Australia for practical components
Option to complete practical components via video recording
Student Support Centres located in Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast & Northern Rivers, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth
Work Placement
A minimum of 280 hours of work placement is mandatory. This provides real-world experience in an early learning environment, allowing students to apply theory into practice under professional supervision.
The work placement involves an average of 12 hours per week in the workplace, with some time spent at home completing activities that contribute to assessment.
Students can arrange placement through their existing service or through private assessors available in numerous regional areas across Australia.
Professional Recognition
NRT – Nationally Recognised Training.
This Diploma is recognised by the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) and is listed in their National Quality Framework. Education and care services are required to have diploma-qualified educators within their staffing mix.
Assessment
An Assessment Book is completed for each topic, and a work placement is completed as part of this course. Progress through the course is achieved by completing each unit's assessment book and the work placement.
Additional Information
The information included in the course outline is indicative of the final curriculum but may not necessarily contain all units necessary for completion of the course. Industry regularly reviews this qualification and the Institute is required to incorporate any changes specified during this review process.
AIPC has been delivering education for over 30 years and focuses on developing caring professionals through quality education and training in the human services sector.
Subjects
About Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors
The Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors (AIPC) is Australia’s largest and longest-established educator of Counsellors. Our specialist training programs include our acclaimed Diploma of Counselling, Bachelor of Counselling, and Master of Counselling. All our programs are government and industry-accredited.
We are an organisation founded on the principle of enabling people to help others. At the very heart of our logo, designed three decades ago, is the statement “Caring for people.” That’s the core of what we do, and that’s why our work matters.
RTO Provider Number: 0670 | Institute of Higher Education: Provider ID PRV12083.
