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.
Need some advice?
Request a call back from one of our experienced Victoria University Polytechnic course advisers to get your questions answered.
Request a call backTAFE resources
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Free TAFE
No tuition fees for eligible students. - Fee subsidies
Careers 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).
Fees & scholarships
Fee type for this course: VET
Fee type definitions
The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a government subsidised place or a full fee-paying place.
Students who enrol in a:
- government subsidised place pay subsidised tuition fees (the government contributes the rest), and may be required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee along with any material fees
- full fee-paying place pay the full fee tuition rate (which includes Student Services and Amenities Fee and any material fees).
Calculate your VET course fees.
Find out more about:
- the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF)
- ways to pay your fees
- important fee dates
- how to apply for a VE/TAFE refund
Scholarships & assistance
Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.
We can help with fee assistance and advice.
Admission & pathways
Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.
If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs.
Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.
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.
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/.
VETDSS (Vocational Education and Training Delivered to Secondary Students):
Applicants are expected to have literacy and numeracy skills at Year 10 or Australian Core Skills Framework Level 3 literacy and Level 2 numeracy and will be assessed through consultation with the relevant school.
The VCAA has determined that Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) is an appropriate and valuable component of all VCE VET programs the VCAA mandates SWL under the following situations:
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where a period of work placement is mandated for the award of the qualification, or
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where the Assessment Conditions from a Unit of Competency contain a statement regarding the requirement to demonstrate skills in a workplace.
The SWL requirements are expressed in hours and weeks, and where possible should be spread across the duration of VCE VET programs. CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care VETDSS program requires 20 days of SWL / practical placement across the two years of the course. (10 days per year)
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, and;
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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:
Police Record Check - http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=274
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/immunisation
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.
Available start dates:
- 17 July 2023
Before you apply
Before starting your application, please read through the step-by-step VU Polytechnic application process to make sure you have all the necessary documents and information ready to successfully complete your application.
Before applying, you should consider whether you also want to apply for:
- Credit transfer/Recognition of prior learning (RPL): If you have significant experience or studies elsewhere you may be eligible for credit for some units of your course and not have to undertake them.
Apply direct to VU
Apply direct to VU using our admission centre, submit applications for one or more courses, track and save your progress and upload additional information.
Already a VU student?
If you are already a VU student, apply direct to VU using our Admissions centre to transfer into this course. Remember it’s best to be accepted into your new course before withdrawing from your current one.
After you apply
- It’s important to check for emails from us (which may go to your spam/junk folder).
- Complete any requests for information by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered
Enquire now – TAFE
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Contact VU Polytechnic
Please note that if changes to this course occur, VU will notify students as soon as possible.
At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.
