The Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care CHC50121 addresses the skills and knowledge required to provide care for individuals and groups of children, and to plan activities facilitating their leisure and play, enabling them to achieve their developmental outcomes. This newly updated qualification reflects the role of early childhood educators who are responsible for designing and implementing curriculum that meets the requirements of an approved learning framework and for maintaining compliance in other areas of service operations. They use specialised knowledge and analyse and apply theoretical concepts to diverse work situations. They may have responsibility for supervision of volunteers or other educators.
Learn new skills including
- Manage team effectiveness
- Maintain a safe and healthy environment for children
- Foster holistic early childhood learning, development and wellbeing
- Nurture creativity in children
- Implement strategies for the inclusion of all children
- Design and implement the curriculum to foster children’s learning and development
- Develop and use emotional intelligence
- Develop and implement policy
- Work in partnership with children’s families
Employment opportunities with this qualification include:
- Early Childhood Educator
- Centre Manager
- Team Leader
- Children’s Services Coordinator
- Child Development Worker
Course outcomes include
- Completion of a nationally recognised industry qualification
- Experience providing care in a childcare facility
This qualification can be completed through a traineeship pathway. Please contact Natalie Thornberry at natalie@nbmc.nsw.edu.au or call 9970 1053 for further information. New entrant traineeship: $0.
Course entry requirements
- Successful completion of CHC30115 or CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education & Care.
- Telephone or personal meeting with our Training Coordinator who will provide course information and answer your questions to ensure this is the right course for you before you enrol.
- Current Working with Children Check. Visit Office of the Children’s Guardian for more information on obtaining a WWCC.
- Unique Student Identifier (see information below).
- Successful completion of an NBMC English language, literacy and numeracy quiz to determine that you have appropriate skills to successfully complete the course.
- Reasonable level of fitness required to work with children.
- Full COVID vaccination is no longer required to work in Early Childhood Education and Care under a Public Health Order. It is currently determined by each individual centre’s policy as to whether they will accept non-vaccinated students to complete work placement.
- Basic computer skills. If you require basic computer training, please ask us about our Essential Computer Skills course.
What you need to know about this course
- The College offers day or evening courses. See below for class options.
- Course delivery mainly on campus – some sessions may be offered via Zoom.
- The course is delivered using a blended learning model which includes timetabled classroom/virtual classroom attendance, weekly flexible directed self study hours and 280 work placement hours.
- Students will need to allow regular weekly hours (approx 15) throughout the course for directed self study for the completion of learning and assessment tasks.
- If attending the theory component of the course by virtual classroom, there will be some training sessions when you will need to attend the campus for practical skills training.
- The course is delivered in the College’s fully equipped training room by our qualified and industry experienced trainer/assessor.
- Work placement hours will differ to normal class hours – practicum work experience delivered in an approved regulated centre birth – 5 years. Working hours in a centre can contribute to work placement hours required.
- 15 units of competency must be successfully completed to achieve this qualification. These are listed in the pop up list located above the class options below.
- A timetable will be provided on course commencement detailing theory, practical and work placement training sessions.
- There are no classes during school holidays or on Public Holidays.
- On Campus study during COVID-19 – please click here to learn about the additional safety measures being taken at College Campuses to help protect everyone on site.
- The resources for this course will be delivered via our NBMC learning management system, CANVAS. Training to use CANVAS will be provided at the beginning of the course. Once access to the course resources is provided, students can either print them and bring them along to class, or access them electronically via their personal laptop. Students enrolling must have access to the following:
- A laptop / computer
- The internet
- A scanner, or a scanner app downloaded on their smart phone
About work placement
- A minimum of 280 hours of work placement hours in a regulated Early Childhood Education and Care setting aged birth – 5 years. Within the 280 hours the student is required to undertake a minimum of:
-40 hours - 0-2 years
-40 hours - 2-3 years
-40 hours - 3-5 years
-The remaining 160 hours can be completed in the student’s preferred aged group within in the regulated service
- Anyone in child-related work (including student placements and volunteers) MUST have a current Working with Children Check (students/volunteers free). Visit Office of the Children’s Guardian for more information on obtaining a WWCC.
- The college will arrange a suitable workplace for students if you are not currently working in the industry.
- Work placement provides you with the opportunity to respond to situations and circumstances that cannot be replicated in a simulated environment.
- Your trainer will visit you regularly during work placement hours to guide and support you as well as assess practical skills.
Are there Assessments?
- Competency based assessment of each unit of competency in the course will be conducted through a mix of assessment methods including case studies, theory tasks, projects and practical demonstration.
- Some units of competency require assessment of practical skills during work placement.
- You will receive clear assessment instructions and an opportunity will be provided for resubmission of assessments if required.
Pathway to Further Training
The Diploma of Early Childhood Education & Care CHC50121 can provide a pathway to a Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood Education.
Eligibility for “NSW Fee Free” Training – LIMITED PLACES AVAILABLE
The NSW and Federal Governments have signed an agreement to deliver more fee free vocational education places in NSW in 2025 for priority qualifications including the Diploma of Early Childhood Education & Care – training to commence between 1 January and 30 June 2025. Note: There are very limited fee-free places available and cannot be guaranteed. If you wish to apply for a fee free position, it is recommended that you do so as soon as possible after 1 November 2024
To be eligible you must be:
- an Australian Citizen/Perm Resident/NZ citizen/humanitarian visa holder or a partner visa holder whose sponsor is a humanitarian visa holder
- aged 15 years or older, and
- live or work in New South Wales, and
- no longer be at school or equivalent (excluding registered home schooled)
If you meet the above criteria, along with the Course Entry Requirements, you can apply to study this course fee free (includes course resources).
Course cost
If you do not meet the above eligibility criteria the cost for this course is: $10000 – please contact the College for payment options.
College Trainers
All NBMC Trainers/Assessors are current industry professionals with the required qualifications to deliver and assess this course. Trainers draw upon and share their own experiences in the industry to ensure that the training delivered to you is current and relevant. For information about individual trainers, please click on the trainer name in the class details below for the trainer’s bio.
Student Support
Please advise our Training Coordinator at your initial telephone or personal meeting if you require additional support in your learning. This will allow a support plan to be devised before you commence your course.
Why study at Northern Beaches & Mosman College?
Enjoy smaller class sizes, a personalised relationship with your trainer, face-to face teaching sessions and qualifications that include real life work experience, when you choose to study at the three-campus Northern Beaches & Mosman College (NBMC).
With campuses available across the Northern Beaches and Lower North Shore in Narrabeen, Brookvale and Mosman, the College offers increasing numbers of accredited and vocational qualifications. Students include those looking to upskill, to change career direction and school leavers keen to step onto a career pathway. Courses on offer can lead directly to employment and/or go towards future learning opportunities.
The NSW Department of Education has recognised our organisation as a High Performing Provider.
Virtual Classroom using Zoom
Zoom is easy to use video conferencing software with a simple set up. You will be able to see your trainer and classmates and interact as though you were in the same room, all from the comfort of your own home!
This is what you need to join a Zoom classroom:
- Understanding the basics of using Zoom – see our free Zoom tutorial by clicking here.
- Access to a computer, iPad/tablet or smartphone; and
- A webcam* so that you can be seen by the trainer; and
- A microphone* so that you can participate in the class and be heard by the trainer; and
- A good Internet connection.
*If you have a laptop computer a webcam and microphone is usually built into the top of the screen frame. Smartphones and iPad/tablets also contain cameras and microphones.
Once you have watched our free tutorial and experimented with Zoom, if you still have questions, we are offering free Q & A Zoom sessions with one of our experienced trainers. See our Zoom page for available dates by clicking here.
National Recognition
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) - is a process of acknowledging previously completed qualifications, skills, knowledge or experience relevant to your course. This may reduce the amount of learning required, reduce your course fees and allow you to achieve your qualification faster. Any student who believes they may be eligible for RPL should discuss this with our Training Coordinator on enrolment.
Unique Student Identifier (USI)
From 1 January 2015 it is a requirement of the Federal Government that all students undertaking nationally recognised training will need to obtain a Unique Student Identifier (USI). This involves an easy online application. See USI Fact Sheet for information on how to apply for a USI go to the Unique Student Identifier (USI) Website for additional information.
Please ensure when completing your enrolment information, that the details relating to your name are identical to those on the identification evidence (eg passport or driver’s licence) used when creating your USI, eg no abbreviations or nicknames should be used. Once created, it is important that you keep a record of your USI and access to your accredited training records in a safe place. You will need this information for any future enrolments into accredited training in Australia. Please contact the College on 9970 1000 if you require assistance.
- Commence the enrolment process by completing the application below.
- Contact Natalie Thornberry on 9970 1053 or email natalie@nbmc.nsw.edu.au for further information.
Training in priority qualifications is fee-free and fully funded by the NSW and Commonwealth Governments
