Overview
Turn your passion for working with children into a career with a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care CHC30121 at Victoria University Polytechnic.
This course covers the fundamentals of childhood development and caring for children. You’ll gain the skills and expertise to provide quality education for children in a range of environments.
Through classroom learning and two practical placements in early-childhood education and childcare centres, you’ll learn to plan experiences focused on supporting children’s development.
This childhood education course is the minimum requirement to work in the early childhood education and care sector. It is a prerequisite for entry into the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care CHC50121. You will develop skills in:
- effective interaction and communication with children
- appropriate care for babies, toddlers and children
- nutrition
- first aid, health and safety
- working legally and ethically.
Available in Melton
The Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care CHC30121 is now offered in Melton. Classes are delivered at the Melton Library & Learning Hub. Placements will be arranged by VU staff in a Children’s Education and Care service in the local Melton area.
Practical learning & placement
Everything you learn at Victoria University Polytechnic has direct links to the real world. You will develop practical skills through our supportive workplace learning model and be job-ready when you graduate.
Our practical children’s services lab, located at Werribee Campus, will provide you the opportunity for hands-on learning in a simulated early childhood environment. You’ll consolidate your skills during two practical placements in daycare settings, so you can put theory into practice.
Industry connections
Our partner network includes schools and community and government organisations, particularly in Melbourne’s north and west. Victoria University Polytechnic students are known for their capability in the workplace, and placements can lead to employment.
You’ll learn from teachers who have valuable industry contacts and the latest industry-standard skills and knowledge. You’ll also develop links with industry and professional experience through:
- placements
- guest speaker presentations
- scenario-based learning and assessments.
Study support
Victoria University Polytechnic is a supportive place to study. We have a range of academic support programs that can help you if you're struggling with your studies.
We can help you with your assignments and assessment tasks, maths, writing skills and English language support, as well as showing you effective ways to study and manage your time and preparation. Our study support programs include:
- workshops and study groups
- student mentors and peer learning
- maths and writing resources.
We also have disability support services and counselling services available to all students.
Libraries & computer facilities
Our campus libraries have photocopying, computing and printing facilities as well as electronic and print resources.
You'll also have access to a rich collection of online resources at any time of the day or night, including:
- databases
- e-learning content for courses
- student email
- student software packages
- social networking tools.
On campus, we make sure that all of our students have access to digital resources. We offer:
- excellent WiFi networks
- more than 4000 computers (PCs and Apple Macs) across our campuses
- a central IT helpdesk for technical help.
Information sessions
There's never been a better time to study early childhood education. Join an information session to find out more about the course structure, industry connections, placement opportunities and pathways to further study.
Course e-Brochure
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Create an e-brochureCareers in early childhood education
This industry-focused certificate will prepare you for a rewarding career in children’s services. Our graduates find employment in a variety of education and care settings such as:
- homes
- childcare centres
- community services
- education programs.
Potential job titles include:
- early childhood educator
- outside school hours care assistant
- playgroup supervisor
- recreation assistant
- family day care worker
- nanny
- childhood educator/assistant.
Find out about employment growth and salaries for childcare workers and out of school hours care workers on the government job-data site, Labour Market Insights. Demand for childcare professionals in Melbourne’s west is set to remain high, with large population growth in the area.
You may choose to undertake further study, going on to our Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care CHC50121.
Nationally recognised training
This course is nationally recognised training.
Course structure
To be awarded CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, a student must successfully complete a total of seventeen (17) units of competency, comprising of:
- Fifteen (15) core units, and;
- Two (2) elective units of which:
- at least one (1) unit must be selected from the CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care qualification, and;
- one (1) unit may be selected from any endorsed training package or accredited courses – this unit must be relevant to the work outcome.
All electives chosen must support the overall integrity of the AQF level of this qualification and contribute to a valid, industry-supported vocational outcome as well as be approved by the Polytechnic.
VETDSS
Students who complete these units of study as part the VET Delivered to Secondary Schools (VETDSS), will be issued a Statement of Attainment.
Please note, this program is subject to approval by the VCAA for 2023 delivery.
Recognition of Prior Learning and/or Credit Transfers:Previous completion of units at the Polytechnic or any other Registered Training Organisation and/or previous attainment of skills and knowledge may be credited towards this course. Units must satisfy the completion rules of the qualification and be assessed as appropriate by the Polytechnic.
Course structure and units
VU Polytechnic delivers the electives listed in the ‘course structure and units’ below. These electives have been selected based on industry needs, graduate pathways and/or student and teacher feedback. Alternative suitable electives are only available via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer (CT).
Core units
Standard Delivery - ELECTIVE UNITS
ELECTIVE UNITS - Imported
VETDSS Program
Core units
Elective units
ELECTIVE UNITS - Imported
Learning outcomes
This qualification reflects the role of workers in a range of early childhood educational settings who work within the requirements of the Education and Care Services National Regulations and the National Quality Standard. They support the implementation of an approved learning framework and support children's well-being, learning and development. Depending on the setting, educators may work under direct supervision or autonomously. Under the Education and Care Services National Law (2011) the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) publishes lists of approved early childhood education and care qualifications and information regarding regulatory requirements.
Vocational Education Delivered to Secondary Schools (VETDSS)This qualification forms part of the credit suite specified by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) and may contribute towards the satisfactory completion of the Victoria Certificate of Education (VCE) Vocational Major (VM) or the Victoria Pathways Certificate (VPC).
Admission & pathways
Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.
Applicants for this course will need to have met the academic requirements and prerequisites for this course outlined below.
Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.
Entry requirements
As part of the application process, applicants must complete a Pre-training Review (PTR) and undertake a literacy and numeracy (LN) assessment to determine suitability for admission and identify support needs.
Students will be required to demonstrate they have the capacity to work with children and families in the highly demanding field of early childhood as set out by the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) and the Education and Care Services National Regulations by participating in an interview. This may be conducted individually or as a group, at the discretion of the Polytechnic. Further information can be found at: https://www.acecqa.gov.au/.
Practical Placement:
For employment and practical placement purposes, this vocational sector typically requires
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a current and satisfactory Police Record Check
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Working with Children Check
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Immunisation
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In response to Victoria's Roadmap announced in September 2021, all students must have any COVID-19 vaccine prior to the commencement of placement. Students will be required to provide evidence prior to the commencement of placement. If students are not compliant with this requirement they are not eligible to undertake a placement and this will mean that they will not be able to progress within their course.
Failure to provide the required documents in the timeframe specified by the Course Coordinator means you will be unable to undertake practical placement in a workplace and therefore not eligible to progress in this course.
The following are suggested sites you could visit to obtain these checks:
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Police Record Check - http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=274
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Working with Children Check - http://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/
It is an industry expectation that those engaging with young children in an early childhood setting are fully immunised. Any students electing not to disclose their immunisation status, conscientious object to vaccinations or have a contraindication, must contact the placement coordinator to discuss the impact this may have on their capacity to undertake placement. Incomplete immunisation may impact your course progression due to a lack of appropriate placement opportunities.Information about the immunisations can be found online at https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/immunisationd
Find out if you meet the entry requirements, including English language and academic requirements.
Pathways from VU courses
There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.
Find out more about pathways and credits.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.
You may be able to complete your qualification sooner through formal recognition of your existing skills. This is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
To receive RPL, we assess your previous work, education and life experiences against recognised qualifications. Applications for RPL can be made prior to enrolling.
Call us on 1300 TAFE VP (1300 823 387) to discuss RPL options with the course manager.
How to apply
Prior to enrolment, all applicants will be required to complete a literacy and numeracy assessment to assist with determining eligibility and to identify learning support needs.
We are currently accepting international applications, and we welcome you to apply for this course.
Click 'apply' to begin, and we will guide you through the application process.
If you have questions, please get in touch:
- Phone: +61 3 9199 1164
- Email: [email protected]
- Online: enquiry form
Information and fees listed above are for non-resident students. Fees are accurate at the time of viewing and will be subject to annual increases. Some courses require students to purchase equipment or clothing that they will need in the course. These equipment or clothing costs are not included in the course fees listed above – check your Letter of Offer for an estimate on non-tuition-fee-related expenses.
VU takes care to ensure the accuracy of this course information, but reserves the right to change or withdraw courses offered at any time. Please check that course information is current with the Student Contact Centre.
