Overview
Gain the skills and qualifications to work confidently and effectively in children’s services, by studying for a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care CHC50121 at Victoria University Polytechnic.
This practical childcare course will prepare you for a rewarding career providing education and care to children during their formative years.
During the early-childhood diploma, you will gain expertise in providing activities and care to children, with an emphasis on play-based learning. By facilitating learning and play, you will help children to achieve important developmental outcomes.
To build your confidence, you'll get real childcare experience during five work placements, and gain important practical skills during a first aid course.
By the end of your early-childhood diploma, you will be a skilled, qualified early-childhood educator with expertise in:
- childhood development (aesthetic, creative, physical)
- planning for children with additional needs
- networking and family partnerships
- first aid, health and safety.
Entry to this qualification is open to individuals who hold one of the following qualifications:
- CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
- CHC30113 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.
For further information, refer to Admission Requirements below.
Available in Melton
The Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care CHC50121 is now offered in Melton. You are required to attend evening online classes and one Saturday per month at the Melton Library & Learning Hub. Placements can be completed at your workplace in a Children’s Education and Care service.
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 children’s services practical labs, located at our Werribee, St Albans, Footscray Nicholson and Sunshine campuses, will provide you the opportunity for hands-on learning in a simulated early childhood environment. You’ll consolidate your skills during five 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.
Learning advice
VU’s Learning Hubs are welcoming spaces where you can improve your study and employability skills.
Our students can attend Learning Hubs at one of five VU campuses. We offer maths, writing, careers and English-language advice, and show you effective ways to study and manage your time.
Our programs include:
- workshops
- drop-in sessions
- peer mentoring
- maths and writing resources
- resume and career guidance.
We also have accessibility support services and counselling services available for all students.
Library & 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.
Indicative course timetable information: Domestic full-time students will study four days per week (four days of workshop and scheduled e-learning tasks), 9.30am – 3.30pm*
*Subject to change
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 diploma will prepare you for a rewarding and varied career in children’s services. With this nationally recognised qualification, you’ll be able to work at a high level in early-childhood education and care. You’ll be confident to work in roles that require designing and developing curriculum and supervising staff.
Our graduates find work in preschools, childcare centres and family-daycare centres. Potential job titles include:
- children's services coordinator
- family-daycare coordinator
- team leader or room leader in a service
- early-childhood educator
- playgroup coordinator
- assistant director of early childhood services
- early-childhood educator – team leader
- reliever in early-childhood programs
- nanny.
Demand for childcare professionals in Melbourne’s west is set to remain high, with large population growth in the area. Find out about employment growth for:
Nationally recognised training
This course is nationally recognised training.
Course structure
To be awarded CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, a student must successfully complete a total of fifteen (15) units of competency, consisting of:
- Twelve (12) core units, and;
- Three (3) elective units, of which:
- two (2) must be selected from the elective units listed below, and;
- up to one (1) unit may be selected from any endorsed training package or accredited course 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 and must be in accordance with the packaging rules specified in CHC Community Services Training Package as well as be approved by the Polytechnic.
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
Elective units
Learning outcomes
This qualification reflects the role of early childhood educators who are responsible for designing and implementing curriculum in early childhood education and care services. In doing so, they work to implement an approved learning framework within the requirements of the Education and Care Services National Regulations and the National Quality Standard. They may have responsibility for supervision of volunteers or other staff.
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 here: www.acecqa.gov.au.
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
Entry to this qualification is open to individuals who:
- hold a CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care or
- CHC30113 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.
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: 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;
- Immunisation and;
- 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 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/immunisation
Local admission requirements for Traineeship applicants:
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.
•Must have an active employer •Must have an active Epsilon number prior to commencing the course.
Note, part time or Traineeship students who are employed in the workplace may have reduced placement requirements to provide. Please discuss with Course Coordinator or at time of application.
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.
Pathways from other institutions
If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.
Bendigo Kangan Institute, Australia
You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.
Melbourne City Institute of Education, Australia
You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.
Bendigo Kangan Institute, Australia
You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.
Melbourne City Institute of Education, Australia
You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of 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.
Pathways to further study
On completion of this course you will be guaranteed entry into the following degree and in some cases receive credit for your study:
You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.
You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.
Find out more about our study pathways to VU
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
- 21 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.
