Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

Who is this qualification for?

If you are ready to grow your skills and take on leadership responsibilities within the Education & Care Sector, the Diploma is your next step. This qualification is designed for educators who are already working in early learning or returning to the sector and looking to progress in their career.

It will help you move from supporting programs to shaping them. Graduates often move into leadership roles such as:

Room/Team Leader
Educational Leader
Practice and Pedagogy Leader
Centre Director/Manager
Out of School Hours (OSHC) Coordinator
OSHC Manager
Family Day Care Coordinator

What will I gain out of this qualification?

You will learn how to guide teams, design meaningful learning experiences, and create environments where children and educators thrive:

Lead curriculum planning using approved learning frameworks

Create safe, engaging and inclusive learning environments

Support children’s holistic development and wellbeing

Foster positive behaviour and guide respectful relationships

Work in genuine partnership with families and community

Mentor educators and contribute to strong team culture

Maintain service quality and meet compliance requirements

Reflect on your practice and boost your professional growth

How long will the course take?

Most students complete the Diploma in around 18 months. If you want to move faster, you can. If you need more time, we will work with you to create a study plan that fits your life and meets any workplace or funding requirements.

You will have up to 24 months to complete your studies. More time may be available in special circumstances.

Course Structure

To achieve the CHC50125 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, you’ll complete a total of 17 units: 15 core units and 2 elective units chosen by us in Cple.

To make your learning simple and manageable, this qualification is grouped into modules that connect theory with practical workplace tasks.

Your trainer will guide you through each stage and support you with assessments.

Module: Maintain Safe Environments

CHCECE041 Maintain a safe and healthy environment for children Participate in workplace health and safety
The unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge to monitor and maintain health and safety in the areas of individual health, hygiene, infectious disease, supervision, risk management, incident and emergency management. It includes the ability to contribute to the ongoing improvement of workplace health and safety policies and procedures.

Module: Compliance in Early Childhood

CHCECE044 Facilitate compliance in an education and care service
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to facilitate legislative, regulatory and National Quality Framework compliance in an education and care service.
CHCECE049 Embed environmental responsibility in service operations
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to develop, implement and evaluate a sustainability management plan and support children’s environmental responsibility.
CHCECE053 Respond to grievances and complaints about the service
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to effectively resolve grievances and complaints about the service.

Module: Foster Holistic Development

CHCECE042 Foster holistic early childhood learning, development, and wellbeing
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to foster and enhance the holistic learning, development and wellbeing of children from birth to six years of age. It includes the ability to use detailed knowledge of different developmental domains and developmental theory and how these domains link to support holistic development.

Module: Planning and Curriculum

CHCECE043 Nurture creativity in children
This module builds your skills to plan, deliver, and evaluate curriculum that supports children’s learning and development. You will learn how to nurture creativity through play, art, movement, and digital experiences, analyse information about children’s learning, and use this insight to guide meaningful curriculum planning over time.
CHCECE047 Analyse information to inform children’s learning
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to gather and analyse information about children’s learning to inform practice.
CHCECE048 Plan and implement children’s education and care curriculum
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to plan, implement and evaluate curriculum over a period of time to foster children’s learning and development.

Module: Behaviour and Inclusion

CHCECE045 Foster positive and respectful interactions and behaviour in children
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to develop guidelines that foster positive and respectful interactions and behaviour, and to monitor and support children’s learning, development and wellbeing in this area.
CHCECE046 Implement strategies for the inclusion of all children
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to promote inclusion and diversity and to plan, implement and monitor individual support strategies.

Module: Partnerships with Families

CHCECE050 Work in partnership with children’s families
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to establish relationships with families, connect with the local and broader community and promote opportunities for collaboration and sharing of information with families to support effective education and care for children.

Module: Developing Emotional Intelligence

BSBPEF502 Develop and use emotional intelligence
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to develop and use emotional intelligence to increase self-awareness, selfmanagement, social awareness and relationship management in the workplace

Module: Managing Team Effectiveness

BSBHRM413 Support the learning and development of teams and individuals
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to determine individual and team development needs and to facilitate the development of the workgroup
BSBTWK502 Manage team effectiveness
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to lead teams in the workplace and to actively engage with the management of the organisation.

Module: Reflective Practice

CHCPRP003 Reflect on and improve own professional practice*
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to evaluate and enhance own practice through a process of reflection and ongoing professional development.

*NOTE: If you completed the CHC30121 Certificate III with Cple, you will gain credit transfer for this unit in the Diploma.

Funding options

If you are not eligible for government funding, this course is available on a fee-for-service basis.

The total course cost is
$3,850.00 , with no upfront payment required. You pay unit by unit as you progress, making study more manageable and affordable.

Click here to learn more about costs per unit.

Entry Requirements

Pre-Requisite Qualification Requirements 

Hold the CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and (or its equivalent successor)
OR
Hold the CHC30113 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
OR
Hold an Australian Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care OR Diploma or Certificate III in Children’s Services, AND one of the following:
Hold the CHCSS00147 Entry into Diploma Skill Set
OR
Demonstrate at least 12 months of cumulative employment (full-time equivalent) within the last 5 years in a regulated education and care service in Australia, supported by verifiable evidence.

Digital and access requirements

A computer, tablet or laptop with a webcam for virtual assessments through Microsoft Teams
A working internet connection
Business software such as Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint (or equivalent)
An active email account for communication and scheduling

Work placement

Workplace learning is essential for this qualification. All modules include assessments that need to be completed in a regulated early learning service.
The qualification requires a minimum of 280 hours of practical experience which can be completed in your current workplace or through a placement. If you are not currently employed in a regulated education and care service, we will help you explore your options.

Pre-enrolment skills assessment

Before you start, we’ll assess your Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Skills through a pre-enrolment skills assessment. This helps us understand the support you may need during your studies.
For a Diploma qualification, you’ll need Level 4 skills in learning, reading, writing, oral communication, and numeracy as outlined in the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF).

If you do not meet these levels, we will guide you through your support options. You will also receive a practice assessment to help you prepare.