Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

The Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care is a one-year qualification that prepares you to work with children from birth to five years in Australian early learning services. You will study how children grow and learn, how to plan and run a play-based curriculum, and how to keep children safe and well. The course covers child development, observation and assessment, working with families, inclusion and diversity, and the legal and ethical rules that shape early childhood practice. You will also learn how to respond to children who need extra support and how to work within the National Quality Framework.

This diploma is delivered over one year. It is made up of units of study, each with a set number of credit points, and you will need to complete all required units to graduate. Assessment is practical as well as written. You will spend time in real early childhood settings on professional placement, where you work alongside experienced educators and put your skills into practice under supervision. That placement is a core part of the course and gives you the hours you need for registration and employment.

By the end, you will be able to design and deliver learning experiences, document children's progress, build respectful relationships with families, and work as part of a team in a centre or family day care. You will also know how to meet workplace health and safety requirements, including first aid, and how to follow child protection procedures. The diploma sits at the diploma level on the Australian Qualifications Framework, which means it is a practical, job-ready qualification that also gives you a pathway into further study, such as a bachelor degree in early childhood education, with credit for your completed units.

This course suits people who enjoy working with young children and want a hands-on career in early childhood education and care. It is a good fit if you are starting out, changing careers, or already working in the sector and want a formal qualification. International students should check the English language requirements for their visa and for the course, and confirm all details, including tuition, intake dates and placement arrangements, on the official CRICOS register and with the provider. While you study, your student visa lets you work up to 48 hours per fortnight once your course has started. After you finish, you may be able to apply for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, depending on your circumstances.

• Early childhood educator in long day care, preschool or kindergarten
• Family day care educator
• Outside school hours care assistant
• Nanny or in-home child carer
• Early childhood room leader or lead educator (with experience)
• Education support worker in early years settings

These roles are found in Australian early learning centres, community preschools, family day care schemes and occasional care services. The diploma also gives you a pathway into further study, such as a bachelor degree in early childhood education, which can lead to teacher registration and higher-level roles.