Program Overview

Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

The Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care is a nationally recognized training program that equips students with the skills and qualifications to work confidently and effectively in early childhood education. This program is designed for individuals who are passionate about play-based learning and want to make a difference in the lives of children from birth to six years old.

Overview

The Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care is a one-year full-time program that includes five work placements, first aid training, and lessons in childhood development, planning for children with additional needs, networking and family partnerships, and children's health and safety. Students who complete this program will gain guaranteed entry into a bachelor degree at Victoria University.

Entry Requirements

To be eligible for this program, applicants must hold a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care. International applicants must complete a Pre-training Review and demonstrate a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 with no band less than 5.5. Students must also provide a current and satisfactory Police Record Check, Working with Children Check, and immunization records.

Course Structure

The Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care consists of 15 units, including 12 core units and 3 elective units. The core units cover topics such as managing team effectiveness, maintaining a safe and healthy environment for children, and fostering holistic early childhood learning and development.

Core Units

• Manage team effectiveness
• Maintain a safe and healthy environment for children
• Foster holistic early childhood learning, development, and wellbeing
• Nurture creativity in children
• Facilitate compliance in a children's education and care service
• Foster positive and respectful interactions and behavior in children
• Implement strategies for the inclusion of all children
• Analyze information to inform children's learning
• Plan and implement children's education and care curriculum
• Embed environmental responsibility in service operations
• Work in partnership with children's families
• Reflect on and improve own professional practice

Elective Units

• Develop and use emotional intelligence
• Support the learning and development of teams and individuals
• Respond to grievances and complaints about the service

Fees and Scholarships

The tuition fee for international students is AU$9,540 per semester. Victoria University offers scholarships to support international students, and applicants can apply for a credit transfer or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to reduce their tuition fees.

Careers

Graduates of the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care can pursue careers as early childhood coordinators, family-daycare coordinators, team leaders or room leaders in a service, early-childhood educators, playgroup coordinators, assistant directors of early childhood services, or nannies.

Further Studies

Students who complete this program can progress to a bachelor degree in Early Childhood Education or Early Childhood Education and Leadership, with guaranteed entry and potential credit points for prior learning.