Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

Want a rewarding career working with children?

This course will equip you with the knowledge and skills to gain entry-level employment in the early childhood education and care sector.

You will gain the skills and knowledge to support the development and care of children from birth to pre-school.  You will learn how to implement an approved learning framework within the requirements of the Education and Care Services National Regulations and the National Quality Standards.

Through on-campus study and work placement, you will gain hands-on and practical skills in areas including: caring for babies and children up to 12 years old, responding to children and people at risk, effective interaction with children, providing nutritional food, childhood development, sustainable practices, first aid and work health and safety procedures.

This course also provides a pathway and meets the entry requirements to complete the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.

Through a combination of on-campus study and work placement, you will gain practical on-the-job knowledge and skills you need to support the implementation of a learning framework, and support children’s wellbeing, learning and development.

You will develop practical skills and knowledge in:

• caring for babies and children up to 12 years old
• developing positive and respectful relationships with children
• providing experiences to supports children's play and learning
• responding to children and young people at risk
• effective interaction with children
• childhood development
• sustainable practices
• effective interaction with children
• first aid
• work health and safety procedures

Two days a week on campus with additional virtual classes* as required, plus one day a week on placement
(minimum 160 hours).

*Virtual classroom - a live online teaching and learning environment where teachers and students can present course materials, engage, interact, and work in groups together.

This course equips you to work across a range of age groups by providing care for babies, toddlers and children. Job roles include:

• Childhood Educator Assistant
• Outside School Hours Aide
• Preschool Assistant
• Nanny

Following the completion of this course, you may choose to continue study in the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.

Completion of the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care meets the entry requirements and provides credits for the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care at South West TAFE. 

You will be required to complete a minimum of 160 hours of practical placement in a regulated early childhood service during this course. Placement is usually 1 day per week.

We will arrange this placement for you.

Why don’t you come along to our next course info session to find out everything you need to start your learning journey? You can chat with our teachers, tour our facilities, learn more about the course, find out about the application process and get your questions answered by our course experts. 

Find the next info session near you

This qualification is superseded and course updates are occurring.

To ensure course content is relevant and industry-specific, industry is constantly having input into this training package. The course code, title, units, and content may change in the future and you may be enrolled in the new qualification. Further information will be provided on our website, upon enrolment and/or during the course of your training.

You must be at least 17 years of age turning 18 in the year of completion, provide a Working with Children Check and obtain a police check.

To be eligible for this qualification you must successfully complete 17 units; 15 core and 2 elective.

To successfully meet the requirements for the First Aid (HLTAID012) unit you must be able to demonstrate the physical capabilities required to follow the DRSABCD principles, in line with ARC guidelines including:

• performing at least two minutes of uninterrupted single rescuer CPR (five cycles of both compressions and ventilations) on an adult resuscitation manikin placed on the floor
• performing at least two minutes of uninterrupted single rescuer CPR (five cycles of both compressions and ventilations) on an infant resuscitation manikin.

Core Units

Elective Units

This course involves accredited units.  You will be required to complete assessment tasks to demonstrate your underpinning knowledge, skills and attributes to meet the course outcomes.  A combination of written, oral and practical assessment strategies will be used in either a classroom, online or workplace environment. 

Where units require demonstration of skills in a workplace environment, you will have the opportunity to do this either in your own workplace (where appropriate), through a practical placement, or by using one of the Institute's simulated workshops/classrooms.  Detailed information about the types, conduct and dates of assessments will be provided in advance.  You will also be provided with information about the opportunity for reassessment and appeal.

Here's an outline of fees and costs associated with your course.

Your fees each year can be made up of 3 different elements.  Everyone has different circumstances that can affect what you pay and how much you pay. :

1. Tuition fees - charged as an hourly rate that varies from course to course. A large portion of the tuition is subsidised by the Victorian Government for eligible students.
2. Resource and/or materials costs - covers the cost of materials and other incidentals. This fee will vary according to the course being undertaken.
3. Booklist items - such as textbooks, equipment and stationery recommended for your course

Tuition fees

There are 4 different rates of tuition fees. Only one will apply to you (depending on your eligibility and circumstances). 

1. Government Subsidised Fee - you could be eligible for a government-subsidised rate under the Skills First funding depending on your age, educational history, and citizenship or residency status. If you are eligible, the government will contribute to the cost of your training.
   Find out more about subsidised training
   
   
2. Government Subsidised Concession Fee - If you are eligible for a Skills First government-subsidised place and hold a current healthcare or pension card, that you can provide at enrolment, you may be eligible for the concession rate. Note, the concession rate is not applicable to Diploma level courses.
   Find out more about concession rates
   
   
3. If the course is a Free TAFE course or part of the Free TAFE Pathways Program - Eligible students will not pay course tuition fees for the duration of their enrolment in this course, however, there may be some consumable/material fees for the course (find out more below). Any resource or material costs, or booklist items for this course are listed in the table below.
   Find out more about Free TAFE
   Find out more about Free TAFE Pathways Programs
   
   
4. Full fee - If you are not eligible for a Skills First government-subsidised place, exemption, concession or are enrolling in a course that isn't government-subsidised, you may be required to pay the full fee rate.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT FEES AND ELIGIBILITY

The fees listed below are indicative only. The course fees published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Course fee funding is made available to eligible individuals by the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments. If funding is utilised, this may affect opportunities to access additional funding in the future. An accurate quote for this course will be provided during the enrolment process.

Students who are eligible for Free TAFE place will not pay course tuition fees for the duration of their enrolment in this course, however, there may be some consumable/material fees for the course (find out more below). The consumable fees for this course are listed in the above table.

Find out more about Free TAFE courses and eligibility or contact our Customer Service team.

A Free TAFE Pathways Program is a group of courses that complement each other to help you continue to train for the career and industry you may wish to work in. For eligible students, these courses are tuition fee free. Depending on the course, you may still be required to pay material fees. The consumable fees for this course are listed in the above table.

Find out more about the Free TAFE Pathways Program and eligibility or contact us.

Some courses require specific resources or materials necessary for your study eg: tools of the trade, excursions, etc. Final costs will be determined upon enrolment.

Once we have processed your enrolment form, you will receive an email with your invoice.

You have three options when organising your payment:

1. Upfront payment - can be made over the phone with EFTPOS

2. Payment plan - can be directly debited from your bank account or via a VET Student Loan (for diploma or advanced diploma courses only)

3. Paid by employer, school or job network agency - if your fees are being paid by your employer, school or job network agency, you will need to complete an Authority to Invoice form.

Payments will need to be arranged within five(5) business days of receiving the email containing your invoice.

We also offer a range of scholarships each year which you may be eligible to apply for to assist with course fees.

There are five simple steps to apply for a course with us.

1. Apply - complete a short online application form. Once this form is submitted we'll send you a thank-you email.
2. Literacy and Numeracy Assessment - we will assess whether you need to undertake a Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) assessment and email it to you if required.
   If you are not required to undertake this assessment, you will skip to step 3.
3. Chat to our team - your teacher or course specialist will contact you to discuss the course in more detail and ensure the right units of study are selected for you.
4. Enrol – you will be sent an email to accept your offer for the course. By accepting, you will be directed to verify your details and submit your enrolment for processing.
5. Pay - once we’ve completed your enrolment, we will send you an invoice to arrange payment of your course fees.

If you need any assistance with applying, contact our team on 1300 648 911 or visit your nearest campus.

Not sure which course is right for you? South West TAFE will help you find your way.

Our Careers Coaches at the Skills and Jobs Centre is here to support you. Whether you’re exploring career options, transitioning from school to the workforce or looking to study after school we’re here to help you.

As a SWTAFE student, you can access a variety of support services that will enhance your study experience and help you complete your studies successfully. For more information about any of these services, visit our student page.