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Early Childhood Education and Care is an expanding sector for those with a passion for the care and education of young children up to the age of 5 years. The sector is demanding higher qualifications and training from educators to ensure consistently high standards of education and care for children placed in these services. This can be achieved by completing the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.
When completing the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care you will:
- Learn to interact and foster the development of young children
- Work within legal requirements
- Ensure children's health and safety is prioritised
- Work with children of different backgrounds and cultures
- Provide support to children in different child care environments
- Undertake work placement to apply the practical skills and knowledge you have learned
Students are required to obtain a Working with Children Check before attending work placement.
This qualification is directly aligned with priority industry areas where the jobs are today, and into the future. As part of the state government Lower fees, local skills initiative, from 1 January 2020 through to 31 December 2021 you'll only pay half the course fees, capped at $1,200; or $400 (plus resource fee) if you're aged 15—24 or eligible for a concession. Find out more.
This course is part of the Lower fees, local skills initiative where you'll only pay half the course fees from until December 2021 capped at $1,200; or $400 if you're aged 15—24 or eligible for a concession. Find out more
Only course fees are half price. You may be required to pay other fees that apply to your course.
^ You will pay half price for the course fees on the Lower fees, local skills qualifications, however other fees may apply such as for resources that are specifically needed for your course.
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Entrance Requirements
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Course requirements
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Study requirements
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Important information
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Job Opportunities
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Further study
School Leaver | Non-School Leaver | AQF |
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OLNA or NAPLAN 9 Band 8 | C Grades in Year 10 English and Maths or equivalent | Certificate I or Certificate II |
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This course is available as a traineeship.
Entrance requirements for traineeships
You must be employed in a training contract by an appropriate organisation to study an apprenticeship or traineeship.Â
In a traineeship you also gain hands-on skills and work experience, and improve your employment prospects, while earning a wage. On successful completion you will gain a nationally recognised qualification which can lead to rewarding career options. The difference between a traineeship and an apprenticeship is that a traineeship can be either a full time or part time employment based training arrangement, usually for a nominal duration of 12 months or more, generally in a non-trade related area.Â
To find out how to arrange a traineeship and study at South Metropolitan TAFE, please contact the Jobs and Skills Centre(opens in a new tab) closest to you.
Work placement is a requirement for this course
Work placement is mandatory for completion of this course. SM TAFE will arrange a suitable work placement within industry for you which will involve your attendance at a workplace.
[Other instructions will follow for work placement such as gaining police clearance etc]
Attendance in class
This is a full-time course. You will need to attend approximately 740 hours of class, over 4 days a week for the first 10 weeks then one day of class and 4 days of placement for a further 10 weeks.
At-home study
As well as the in-class component, you will need to complete approximately 10 hours of additional study each week outside of class hours, including private study, assignment preparation, and research.
You will need to have the basic technical requirements for at-home study. If you don’t have access to a computer and WiFi at home, we recommend using our library computers during library hours.
Students will be expected to access to online learning resources with either a laptop or an iPad. The purchase or an eBook or text is required.
Work placement
Please be aware that industries and employers have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic which has meant that some work placements have been cancelled, put on hold or student places significantly reduced. While every effort is being made to work with our industry partners to secure work placements during this unprecedented time, there may be delays in students being placed. As a result of these delays some students may take longer than the expected time to complete their course. Lecturing staff will keep all students up to date and will inform students if this may affect them and cause a delay in finishing their course.
What you need for your first day of class
On your first day you should bring your SM TAFE confirmation enrolment receipt, your student ID and stationery (pen and notepad).
Students will be expected to access to online learning resources with either a laptop or an iPad. The purchase or an eBook or text is required.
- Students must be proficient in written and spoken English, as the course requires communication with other students, lecturers and workers/clients in industry.
- Students must have the ability to set aside between four and five days per week for attendance at classes, work placement and study.
- Students will be required to provide personal care such as nappy changing or toileting for babies and children.
- A Working with Children Check (WWCC) must be obtained prior to attending the mandatory work placement. This form will be issued and completed at your orientation.
Please note this list should be used as a guide only as job titles and qualification requirements may vary between organisations.
SM TAFE actively promotes the employment availability of course graduates to key industry partners and organisations. We also seek expressions of interest from organisations for the placement of our students into work experience. In addition, this course involves work placement, giving you further opportunity to develop relationships with potential employers. We endeavour to assist students into a career pathway, but please be aware that employment is not guaranteed by us.
To access free career planning and job search assistance, visit the Jobs and Skills Centres page.
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Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
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Certificate IV in School Age Education and Care
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Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
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Certificate III in Education Support
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Certificate IV in Education Support
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Certificate III in Community Services
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Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability)
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Certificate IV in Community Services
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Certificate IV in Ageing Support
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Certificate IV in Disability
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Certificate IV in Mental Health
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Certificate IV in Youth Work
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Diploma of Community Services
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Diploma of Youth Work
Study options and next steps
Click on your preferred study mode below to get started with your application or enrolment.