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 study how children grow and learn, how to plan and run a play-based curriculum, how to keep children safe, and how to work with families and other educators. The course mixes classroom learning with time in a real service, so you practise routines, observations and documentation while a qualified educator supervises you.

This diploma sits at the diploma level of the Australian Qualifications Framework. It is normally delivered over one year of full-time study, usually across two semesters, and is made up of units of study that each carry credit points. You complete a set number of core units and may choose electives. A supervised professional placement in a registered early childhood service is a standard part of the qualification. It gives you direct contact with children and the daily work of a room, and it is where most students build the confidence to lead activities and write learning stories.

You will learn to design experiences that match each child's stage of development, support inclusion, and follow the National Quality Framework and the Early Years Learning Framework. Assessment is practical: you plan and present activities, keep records, reflect on your own practice, and show you can work within workplace policies and legal and ethical requirements. Skills you take away include observing and documenting children's learning, communicating with families, working in a team, and responding to children's health, safety and wellbeing needs.

This course suits school leavers, career changers, and people already working in childcare who want a formal qualification. It also suits international students who want to study in Australia and gain work experience in the sector. English requirements are set by the college and by the Department of Home Affairs for the Student visa; check the official course page and the CRICOS register for the exact entry requirements, tuition and start dates. While you study, your visa normally allows up to 48 hours of work per fortnight, and on completion you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, depending on your circumstances.

• Early childhood educator in long day care, preschools and kindergartens across Australia.
• Room leader or lead educator in an early learning centre.
• Family day care educator running a small home-based service.
• Outside school hours care educator in before and after school programmes.
• Nanny or in-home carer for families.
• Education support worker in early intervention or inclusion settings.

These roles are found in the education and care sector, which employs educators in every state and territory. The diploma can also be a step towards further study, such as a bachelor degree in early childhood education, which may lead to teacher registration.