CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
Next intake
July 2025Location
Geelong City CampusWorkplace
Workplace
Information Sessions
Course description
This qualification is for those wanting to work as an educator in early childhood settings in children’s services in Australia. Educators at this level are responsible for designing and implementing curriculum for children as part of the approved learning framework and for maintaining compliance in other areas of the children’s services setting. They may have responsibility for supervision of volunteers or other educators.
Early childhood educators work in long day care centers, family day care, pre-schools or kindergartens.
Our trainers are all experienced Early Childhood Educators who are up to date with current industry standards and practices. Upon completion of this course, you will graduate with the skills and knowledge to succeed and lead in the early childhood sector, which currently has increased demand for qualified educators.
International student applications are encouraged.
All applicants must hold the following qualification - CHC30113/CHC30121 – Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.
Work placement/industry experience
A mandatory course component is a practical placement in a registered education and care service. Minimum 280 hours of work placement. (organised by The Gordon). Placement is not paid work and students will not receive payment for undertaking practical placement. You must have a valid Working with Children Check. Some centres may require you to have immunity to COVID-19 and whooping cough. You may be required to travel up to an hour to attend placement in regional or metropolitan centres.
Possible career outcomes
- Early childhood educator
- Out-of-school hours educator or coordinator
- Family daycare operator
- Team, group or program leader
- Educational leader
- Early childhood service director or coordinator
Applications & attendance
How to apply
- Follow our instructions for how to apply for a course.
- Apply online by selecting an intake from the Applications & attendance table below.
If you need help, visit Customer Service or request application support via email.
Submission of an application does not guarantee a place in the course.
Apprenticeship and traineeship applicants
To become an apprentice or trainee, you will first need to find an employer willing to employ you. An Australian Apprenticeship Support Network Provider can assist you with this and will also start your application and enrolment process. Find a local provider here
| Intake | Applications | Attendance | Classes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 July Geelong City Campus |
Open: 1 Apr 2025 Close: 1 Jul 2025 |
Blended | Full Time Tue/Thur/6-9:30pm;Sat/mthly/oncamp/9-3pm | Apply |
| 2025 Full Year Workplace |
Open: 27 Jan 2025 Close: 31 Jul 2026 |
Workplace | Part Time Flexible |
Class times are indicative and may change before the course starts. Students may need to complete some self-paced learning and assessments outside class, varying by course and skill level, or may be required to attend classes both on campus and online.
Follow the link for more information on attendance mode definitions and offer timing.
An application doesn't guarantee a place in the course.
Many courses have limited spots and may fill quickly, so apply early and ensure your application is fully completed, as only successful applicants will receive offers, issued as soon as possible. If numbers are low, intakes or courses may be cancelled.
Additional attendance information
This is an online course, however it is a mandatory requirement for students to attend onsite face to face sessions once a month.
Entrance requirements
- Entry to this qualification is open to applicants 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
- Applicants must be working in a regulated Early Childhood Education and Care Centre of Kindergarten for a minimum of 15 hours per week.
- You must reside in Victoria to access Victorian Government Subsidised Fees and any incentive such as Free TAFE. Full fees apply to all non-Victorian residents.
Work Placement requirements
- Students are required to hold a current Working with Children Check.
- Students may be required to have vaccinations depending on placement requirements.
Apprenticeship and traineeship requirements
Apprenticeship and traineeship applicants must be currently employed under a training contract and referred by their employer.
Personal Learning Requirements
There are personal learning requirements for each qualification at The Gordon. These are essential personal capabilities and skills required to successfully complete the course and be ready to work in the industry.
Please review the requirements here and consider any challenges you may have in meeting them. When applying for your course, please let us know what support you may need.
Pre-training review
Each student must complete a pre-training review as part of their application. The outcome of your pre-training review assists our teachers and trainers to better understand your capabilities prior to training and enables you to be matched to the right program. Your literacy and numeracy skills will be evaluated and you may be required to undertake a separate assessment. Follow this link for more information about literacy and numeracy skills.
In order to prepare for your LLN, you may wish to attempt some practise tests in which you will find similar questions (with solutions too). These practice tests are not VSL approved but may be similar in question type and level of difficulty to what may be asked in the VSL approved LLN. Click here for practice tests. Please note, the VSL approved LLN cannot be resat within 3 months of undertaking it.
Units & assessments
| Core | Code | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Analyse information to inform children's learning | CHCECE047 | 75 |
| Embed environmental responsibility in service operations | CHCECE049 | 73 |
| Facilitate compliance in a children's education and care service | CHCECE044 | 110 |
| Foster holistic early childhood learning, development and wellbeing | CHCECE042 | 200 |
| Foster positive and respectful interactions and behaviour in children | CHCECE045 | 60 |
| Implement strategies for the inclusion of all children | CHCECE046 | 65 |
| Nurture creativity in children | CHCECE043 | 80 |
| Plan and implement children's education and care curriculum | CHCECE048 | 180 |
| Reflect on and improve own professional practice | CHCPRP003 | 120 |
| Work in partnership with children's families | CHCECE050 | 70 |
| Elective Units | Code | Hours |
| Develop and use emotional intelligence | BSBPEF502 | 60 |
| Respond to grievances and complaints about the service | CHCECE053 | 40 |
| Support the learning and development of teams and individuals | BSBHRM413 | 40 |
Please note that the listed electives are delivered by The Gordon but you may not need to complete all of these units to successfully complete this qualification. If you have previously completed any of the units of competency relevant to this course, you may be eligible for Credit Transfer (CT). Any previous relevant experience may qualify you for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Find out more about CT or RPL here.
Assessment is based on:
- Hands-on work
- Workplace tasks
- Written assignments
- Industry placement
- Team projects
Fees
This course is eligible for Free TAFE!
Eligible Victorian students who elect to use their Free TAFE opportunity will not incur any tuition fees. Material and resources fees still apply. Follow the link for further information and to check the eligibility criteria.
| Fees | Rate | Unit | Indicative Course Hours | Indicative Tuition | Indicative Gov Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Tuition | AUD $6.08 | per hour | 1288 | AUD $7,831.00 | AUD $8,892.00 |
| Full Fee Tuition | AUD $12.30 | per hour | 1288 | AUD $15,842.00 |
| Add the costs below to your relevant tuition fee | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resources | AUD $375.00 | Charged at enrolment | |||
| Education Levy | AUD $193.20 | Charged at enrolment | |||
| Administrative Fee | AUD $250.00 | Once | Charged at enrolment | ||
All fees and charges are correct at time of publication but may change without notice. The student tuition fees are indicative only. Additional fees may apply. Where GST is applicable to any courses or materials, the fee displayed is inclusive of the GST.
Which fee will I pay?
Your fees will be charged according to your eligibility for government funding. For more information, visit our Fees & Payments pages.
Fee help
Payment plans may be available for eligible students who need assistance to manage their fee payments.
If you are eligible for a VSL, you may be able to access a payment plan for any non-tuition costs and tuition over the VSL Course Cap.
VET Student Loans (VSL)
VET Student Loans are available for eligible students for tuition fees ONLY up to the VSL Course Cap.
VET Student Loan (VSL) Course Cap
$18,838
Further study options
Many Gordon courses offer pathways to higher qualifications within The Gordon and in some cases, to university degrees. Your Gordon course may provide credit points which could reduce further study time. Follow the link to find more information about pathways, or contact Customer Service.