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 learn how children grow and develop, how to plan and run a play-based curriculum, how to keep children safe, and how to work with families and other educators. Subjects cover child development, observation and assessment, curriculum planning, health and safety, inclusion, and legal and ethical responsibilities. You also learn how to document children's learning against the Early Years Learning Framework, which is the national curriculum document used in Australian services.

How the course is structured

Australian diplomas are made up of units of study, each carrying credit points. Most providers run the course over two years across semesters or trimesters, with a mix of classroom units and practical units. The course includes a set number of hours of professional experience placement in a registered early childhood service, where you work alongside qualified educators, take part in routines, and plan and lead activities under supervision. Assessment is usually a mix of written tasks, practical demonstrations, projects and placement observations. Because the course is listed on CRICOS, it is available to international students studying in Australia. The exact unit list, credit points and placement hours vary by provider, so check the official course page.

Skills you build

You learn to observe children and record what you see, plan experiences that match each child's stage, set up indoor and outdoor environments, manage group routines, respond to behaviour, and support children with additional needs. You also build the practical skills employers ask for: talking with families, keeping accurate records, following workplace health and safety, and working as part of a team. English language skills matter in this field because you write observations, talk with parents and follow regulations. International applicants usually need IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall, or an accepted equivalent such as TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic or Cambridge C1 Advanced. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa. While studying, a student visa generally allows up to 48 hours of work per fortnight during the term.

Who this suits

This diploma suits school leavers, career changers and people already working in early childhood who want a formal qualification. It is also a pathway to a bachelor degree in early childhood education, with credit for prior study often available. If your goal is to become a registered early childhood teacher, you will need to continue to a degree and then meet the registration requirements of your state or territory. Graduates of this diploma work as educators and room leaders, and some go on to run or manage a service. The qualification sits at diploma level on the Australian Qualifications Framework. Confirm entry requirements, fees, intake dates and placement arrangements with Solis College or Athena College Australia, and check the CRICOS register for the current course details.

• Early childhood educator in long day care, preschool, kindergarten and occasional care services across Australia.
• Room leader or lead educator, responsible for planning and running a room and guiding other educators.
• Family day care educator, running your own approved home-based service.
• Outside school hours care educator in before-school, after-school and vacation care programmes.
• Inclusion support educator, working with children who need additional support.
• Service supervisor or assistant director, once you have experience and take on management duties.

Employers include long day care centres, community preschools, private and not-for-profit providers, local government children's services, and family day care schemes. Some graduates continue to a bachelor degree in early childhood education to become registered teachers.