Early Childhood Education and Care
Diploma of
Overview
Preston
Preston
18 months full time / available part time
18 months full time / available part time
Applicants should be over 18 years old on commencement of the course and hold a Working with Children Check (WWC).
Australian Year 12 equivalency. Academic IELTS 5.5 with no individual band below 5.0. Working with Children Check (WWC) and a Police Check.
February, July
February
Contribute to the next generation of learners
If you’re interested in creating educational programs to aid the learning and development of young children, Melbourne Polytechnic’s Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care will provide the skills you need. Australia’s early childhood education and care sector is growing and expected to continue expanding over the next five years. Early childhood educators are in demand, so it’s a great time to pursue a career with excellent job prospects and the opportunity to undertake meaningful, rewarding work. This is an industry where you can make a positive impact on the lives of children and grow a great career at the same time.
Learn to shape learning
Melbourne Polytechnic’s Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care provides the skills and knowledge to plan and operate educational programs for children based upon their skills and interests. This will follow the National Quality Framework which includes the Early Years Learning Framework. You will learn the best practice and compliance skills that underpin the National Quality Standards. You will learn in Melbourne Polytechnic’s dedicated Early Childhood facilities, working with industry-based instructors that share their professional insights. You’ll get out of the classroom and into practical learning with a 455-hour workplace requirement. Alternatively, if you pursue the industry stream you can complete your placement hours in your own workplace across a range of age groups.
Graduate ready to change lives
You’ll graduate ready to take on a role in the exciting and challenging world of early childhood education. You may seek employment in the field of children’s services or caring for young children in a variety of childcare settings. You might find work as a room leader, centre coordinator, kindergarten program coordinator, out-of-school carer or a nanny for private clients.
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.- Long Day Care
- Nanny
- Occasional Carer
- Out of School Hours Carer
Pathways
Students may continue to study and enrol in our Bachelor of Education (Early Years). Students who have successfully completed the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care will receive six credits for RPL.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
Full time Group: This course has a 455-hour workplace requirement. This is taken by working 35 hours per week for 13 weeks. Students are required to have 7 hours per day of direct contact with children during this placement.
Industry Group: You will be able to complete your placement hours in your own workplace across a range of age groups.
- Flexible
- Practicum
- Classroom
Class Schedule
Industry Group:
1 year
Prerequisites are:
- Already hold a current Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
- Be working in a registered early learning program a minimum of 2 days per week
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 |
| CHCDIV001 | WORK WITH DIVERSE PEOPLE | Core | 40 |
| CHCDIV002 | PROMOTE ABORIGINAL AND/OR TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER CULTURAL SAFETY | Core | 25 |
| CHCECE001 | DEVELOP CULTURAL COMPETENCE | Core | 70 |
| CHCECE002 | ENSURE THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF CHILDREN | Core | 63 |
| CHCECE003 | PROVIDE CARE FOR CHILDREN | Core | 70 |
| CHCECE004 | PROMOTE AND PROVIDE HEALTHY FOOD AND DRINKS | Core | 35 |
| CHCECE005 | PROVIDE CARE FOR BABIES AND TODDLERS | Core | 60 |
| CHCECE007 | DEVELOP POSITIVE AND RESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIPS WITH CHILDREN | Core | 70 |
| CHCECE009 | USE AN APPROVED LEARNING FRAMEWORK TO GUIDE PRACTICE | Core | 70 |
| CHCECE011 | PROVIDE EXPERIENCES TO SUPPORT CHILDREN'S PLAY AND LEARNING | Core | 40 |
| CHCECE016 | ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN A SAFE AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT FOR CHILDREN | Core | 50 |
| CHCECE017 | FOSTER THE HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT AND WELLBEING OF THE CHILD IN EARLY CHILDHOOD | Core | 240 |
| CHCECE018 | NURTURE CREATIVITY IN CHILDREN | Core | 80 |
| CHCECE019 | FACILITATE COMPLIANCE IN AN EDUCATION AND CARE SERVICE | Core | 120 |
| CHCECE020 | ESTABLISH AND IMPLEMENT PLANS FOR DEVELOPING CO-OPERATIVE BEHAVIOUR | Core | 50 |
| CHCECE021 | IMPLEMENT STRATEGIES FOR THE INCLUSION OF ALL CHILDREN | Core | 50 |
| CHCECE022 | PROMOTE CHILDREN'S AGENCY | Core | 80 |
| CHCECE023 | ANALAYSE INFORMATION TO INFORM LEARNING | Core | 70 |
| CHCECE024 | DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT THE CURRICULUM TO FOSTER CHILDREN'S LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT | Core | 170 |
| CHCECE025 | EMBED SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES IN SERVICE OPERATIONS | Core | 60 |
| CHCECE026 | WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FAMILIES TO PROVIDE APPROPRIATE EDUCATION AND CARE FOR CHILDREN | Core | 70 |
| CHCLEG001 | WORK LEGALLY AND ETHICALLY | Core | 55 |
| CHCMGT003 | LEAD THE WORK TEAM | Core | 100 |
| CHCPRP003 | REFLECT ON AND IMPROVE PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE | Core | 120 |
| CHCPRT001 | IDENTIFY AND RESPOND TO CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE AT RISK | Core | 40 |
| HLTAID004 | PROVIDE AN EMERGENCY FIRST AID RESPONSE IN AN EDUCATION AND CARE SETTING | Core | 20 |
| HLTFSE001 | FOLLOW BASIC FOOD SAFETY PRACTICES | Core | 30 |
| HLTWHS003 | MAINTAIN WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY | Core | 40 |
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
A list of required materials and any texts will be distributed to you at the commencement of the course. 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 do not need to have completed the Certificate III qualification in order to enrol in this Diploma course.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 recognised equivalency
Other: Applicants must provide a 300-500 word written statement outlining any experience in child care (voluntarily, informally, or by paid employment) and the reasons why they want to study this course
You 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 Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas, you may be eligible for a VET Student Loan. Read more about them 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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