Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

The Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care is a two-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, and how to keep children safe and well. Expect units on child development, observation and assessment, curriculum planning, health and safety, and working with families and communities. You also learn the compliance side of the job: the National Quality Framework, the Early Years Learning Framework, and your obligations under child protection law.

How the course is structured

Australian diplomas are made up of units of study, each carrying credit points. Most providers run two semesters a year, though some use trimesters. You complete a set number of core units plus electives, and you need to pass all of them to graduate. The diploma includes a practical placement component, usually several weeks in a registered early childhood service, because you cannot learn to work with young children from a textbook alone. Your placement is assessed, and you build a portfolio of observations and learning experiences you have planned and delivered.

What you actually learn

You learn to watch children and work out what they are ready for next. You plan experiences that build language, numeracy, social skills and physical development through play. You learn to set up indoor and outdoor environments that meet safety and supervision requirements, and to respond to incidents, allergies and medical conditions. You also practise the paperwork that goes with the job: daily records, incident reports, portfolios of children's learning, and communication with families. Group management, working in a team, and professional ethics round out the course.

Who it suits

This diploma suits people who want to work directly with children and lead a room or a small service. It is also a pathway to further study, such as a bachelor degree in early childhood education, which can lead to teacher registration. If you are an international student, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is running, and after you finish you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream. English requirements for international applicants are usually IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall, though teaching and health courses often ask for 7.0–7.5. Check the official course page for the exact entry requirements, placement hours and unit list, because these can change.

• Early childhood educator in long day care, preschool or kindergarten services
• Room leader or lead educator in an early learning centre
• Family day care educator or coordinator
• Outside school hours care assistant or coordinator
• Nanny or in-home child carer
• Education support worker in early intervention services

These roles are found across Australia in private and community-run childcare centres, preschools, kindergartens, and family day care schemes. The diploma also gives you credit towards a bachelor degree in early childhood education if you want to become a registered teacher later.