Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

The Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care is a one-year qualification for people who want 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 documentation, working with families, inclusion and diversity, health and safety, and the legal and ethical side of early childhood work. You will also learn how to lead a room and support other educators.

How the course is structured

Australian diplomas are made up of units of study, each with a set number of credit points. At this level, the course is practical and competency-based, so you will spend time in both the classroom and in early childhood services. You will complete a supervised professional placement, which is a required part of the diploma. Placement gives you real hours with children, and you will be assessed on the job. The course is delivered over one year, and the exact units and placement hours are set out in the official course information.

What you will learn

You will learn to plan and implement a curriculum that follows the Early Years Learning Framework. You will practise observing children, writing learning stories, and using those records to plan next steps. You will learn how to set up indoor and outdoor environments that encourage play and exploration. You will also cover first aid, child protection, food safety, and how to work with families from different backgrounds. By the end, you should be able to take responsibility for a group of children and work as part of a team.

Who this course suits

This diploma suits people who enjoy working with young children and want a hands-on qualification. You might be starting out in the field, or you might already work in a service and want to move into a room leader or lead educator role. It also suits people changing careers. If you are an international student, you will need to meet the English requirement and the Student visa conditions, including the work limitation of 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session. After you finish, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, depending on your circumstances. Check the official CRICOS page for the most current details on fees, entry requirements and course structure.

• Early childhood educator in long day care, preschools and kindergartens
• Room leader or lead educator responsible for a group of children and a team
• Family day care educator running your own home-based service
• Outside school hours care educator working with primary-aged children
• Nanny or in-home carer employed by families
• Education support worker in early intervention services

These roles are found across Australia in private and community early learning centres, government-funded preschools, and not-for-profit organisations. The diploma is the standard qualification for room leader positions in many services.