Early Childhood Education and Care
Certificate III in
Overview
Preston, Epping
Preston
6 months full time / available part time
6 months full time / available part time
February, April, July
February
Make a real difference
Early childhood education and care is a sector is an area of increasing demand due to population growth and growing recognition of the importance of childrens’ development. This is an in-demand skill set, and employment in this industry has increased over time, with further projected increases across the next five years. Melbourne Polytechnic’s Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care will help you take your love of teaching and working with children and turn your hand to a career where your skills will be valued. If you enjoy nurturing, learning and caring for children, this is the career for you.
Learn to nurture young minds
Melbourne Polytechnic’s Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care is designed to develop your understanding of issues relevant to the children’s services sector and enhance your practical skills to deliver high quality care and education to young children. You will learn first aid, how to care for babies and toddlers and how to support childrens’ holistic development. This course has a 210-hour workplace requirement, usually undertaken over a six week period.
You’ll learn by doing, under the guidance of Melbourne Polytechnic’s industry-experienced teachers through real-world situations, including conducting a playgroup for local children. You will gain experience by setting up play, preparing and serving food safely and observing the children.
Graduate with an industry-recognised qualification
Graduates will be qualified to seek employment in the field of children’s services, caring for young children up to the age of six in a variety of child care settings. You may work as an assistant educator in Early Learning Centres, kindergartens, primary out-of-school care, nannying and occasional care, usually run at leisure centres, gyms or local councils.
Career Pathways
Where will this take me
On completion, you may seek employment in the field of children's services, caring for young children up to the age of six in a variety of child care settings. Jobs include room leader, centre coordinator, or a nanny for private clients- Childcare Centre Room Leader
- Childcare Centre Coordinator
- Childcare Assistant
- Nanny
Pathways
Students may continue to study and enrol in our CHC50113 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care and then a Bachelor of Education (Early Years).Akolda Bil
"It means future to me. All I was doing before this was working in small jobs, or jobs that aren't going to get me far in life, so studying is a huge deal to me. It got me where I am now.... Studying gave me a path to go somewhere in my life."
Course Details
How you learn
- Flexible
- Practicum
- Classroom
Class Schedule
Part-time available by negotiation.
Assessment Methods
Assessment for each competency will be through a combination of on-the-job (practicum) and off-the-job tasks. Off-the-job assessment is a combination of class exercises, assignments and practical demonstrations
Units of Study
The hours displayed are nominal, actual classroom hours delivered may differ. Please contact us for the latest student contact hours information.
| Code | Subject | Elective | Hours |
| CHCECE011 | PROVIDE EXPERIENCES TO SUPPORT CHILDREN'S PLAY AND LEARNING | Core | 40 |
| CHCLEG001 | WORK LEGALLY AND ETHICALLY | Core | 55 |
| CHCECE004 | PROMOTE AND PROVIDE HEALTHY FOOD AND DRINKS | Core | 35 |
| CHCECE005 | PROVIDE CARE FOR BABIES AND TODDLERS | Core | 60 |
| CHCECE012 | SUPPORT CHILDREN TO CONNECT WITH THEIR WORLD | Core | 40 |
| CHCECE007 | DEVELOP POSITIVE AND RESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIPS WITH CHILDREN | Core | 70 |
| HLTAID004 | PROVIDE AN EMERGENCY FIRST AID RESPONSE IN AN EDUCATION AND CARE SETTING | Core | 20 |
| HLTFSE001 | FOLLOW BASIC FOOD SAFETY PRACTICES | Core | 30 |
| CHCECE010 | SUPPORT HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN IN EARLY CHILDHOOD | Core | 70 |
| CHCPRT001 | IDENTIFY AND RESPOND TO CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE AT RISK | Core | 40 |
| HLTWHS001 | PARTICIPATE IN WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY | Core | 20 |
| CHCECE002 | ENSURE THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF CHILDREN | Core | 63 |
| CHCECE001 | DEVELOP CULTURAL COMPETENCE | Core | 70 |
| CHCECE003 | PROVIDE CARE FOR CHILDREN | Core | 70 |
| CHCDIV002 | PROMOTE ABORIGINAL AND/OR TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER CULTURAL SAFETY | Core | 25 |
| CHCDIV001 | WORK WITH DIVERSE PEOPLE | Core | 40 |
| CHCECE013 | USE INFORMATION ABOUT CHILDREN TO INFORM PRACTICE | Core | 40 |
| CHCECE009 | USE AN APPROVED LEARNING FRAMEWORK TO GUIDE PRACTICE | Core | 70 |
Recognition of Prior Learning
You can seek Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) where your work experience or qualifications of an advanced and related nature have been undertaken. RPL is individually assessed based on evidence submitted by the student to the teaching department. Applications for RPL will be assessed by relevant Melbourne Polytechnic trainers, academics and where appropriate, industry experts.
Studying at Melbourne Polytechnic
Student Services
We're here to make sure that your transition to student life at Melbourne Polytechnic is fun and as easy as possible
Services & support
Student Life at Melbourne Polytechnic
Our Student Life at Melbourne Polytechnic (SLAM) team run the fun stuff on campus: things like movie nights, bake sales, cook-offs, career expos, spring markets, and much more.
Student Life at Melbourne Polytechnic
Specialist Training Facilities
Melbourne Polytechnic has a large range of specialist training facilities in health and community, construction, hospitality, education and more.
Specialist Training Facilities
Scholarships
One of the most common misconceptions about scholarships is that you have to be 'top in your class' to apply. Melbourne Polytechnic scholarships are awarded on a range of criteria such as merit, your area of study and personal circumstances.
ScholarshipsFees & Costs
Free TAFE
Free TAFE places are limited for this course in 2020. Please call 9269 8400 and we can advise you whether Free TAFE places are still available.
Free TAFE for priority courses cover the cost of tuition fees for students who are eligible. Materials and amenities may still apply.
Please note that the Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative will pay your tuition fees for only one course. Once you have commenced in a tuition-free priority course, you are not eligible for further tuition-free places again, even if you do not finish your first tuition-free priority course.
Displayed course fees are indicative only. There are many variables that impact the total amount of your full course costs including qualification for government subsidies, concessions or recognition of prior learning. Tuition fees do not include the cost of student amenities or material costs.
To find out if you’re eligible for a Government subsidy we recommend you contact us help you find out.
Melbourne Polytechnic offers a range of payment options to help you pay your tuition fees, so you can get on with your studies.
Fees displayed are effective for new applications received on or after 1 November 2019. Tuition fees do not include textbooks, course materials or overseas student health insurance and visa fees.
After initial deposit, international students are able to pay tuition fees in installments, four times per year.
For more detailed information please read the International Student Fees.
Materials and Amenities cost
Lists of required materials, books and timetables will be provided at course induction or class enrolment by the teaching department. Lists of required materials, books and timetables will be provided at course induction or class enrolment by the teaching department.Attend an Info Session
Requirements
Local applicants are encouraged to attend an information session where they will need to perform a written task and undertake a pre-training review.Applicants should be over 18 years old on commencement of the course and hold a Working with Children Check (WWC).
Academic: Australian Year 12 equivalency
English: Academic IELTS 5.5 with no individual band below 5.0, Pearson PTE Academic 42 overall with no individual communicative skill below 36, or Melbourne Polytechnic recognised equivalency.
English language ability equivalent to IELTS 5.5 (Academic) level.
Other: Applicants must provide a 300-500 word written statement outlining any experience in they have in this sector (voluntarily, informally, or by paid employment) and the reasons why they want to study this course.
Applicants will need to provide a Working with Children Check (WWC) and a police check
Next Steps
We're really excited for you to join the Melbourne Polytechnic community and we look forward to supporting you on your education journey.
The first step to enrolling is completing the application short form. You'll then receive a link to complete a few more personal details.
It is a mandatory government requirement for all prospective students to complete an online literacy and numeracy assessment. Once you are ready to enrol, you will be invited to attend of our Skills and Job Centres, or come to campus to complete your enrolment in person.
For certificate-level courses, you can pay by weekly or fortnightly direct debit using our Tuition Payment Plan. Read more about TPPs here.
If you need assistance with your application and the next steps, you can contact one of our Education and Course Advisors on 03 9269 8400 or follow a step-by-step guide to enrolling for vocational education local students.
All future international students will need to complete the short application form. After this, you will be redirected to the full enrolment application form and provide further documentation and forms specifically for International Students. Following this, you will be contacted by a member of the International Office who will support you in the next steps.
You'll find a step-by-step guide to enrolling for international admissions here
If you'd like to speak to one of our International Office staff directly, call +61 3 9269 8400
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