CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

This course covers the fundamentals of childhood development and caring for children. You'll gain the skills and expertise to provide quality education for children in a range of environments.

Through classroom learning and two practical placements in early-childhood education and childcare centres, you'll learn to plan experiences focused on supporting children's development.

This childhood education course is the minimum requirement to work in the early childhood education and care sector. It is a prerequisite for entry into the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care CHC50121. You will develop skills in:

• effective interaction and communication with children
• appropriate care for babies, toddlers and children
• nutrition
• first aid, health and safety
• working legally and ethically.

This industry-focused certificate will prepare you for a rewarding career in children's services. Our graduates find employment in a variety of education and care settings such as:

• homes
• childcare centres
• community services
• education programs.

Potential job titles include:

• early childhood educator
• outside school hours care assistant
• playgroup supervisor
• recreation assistant
• family day care worker
• nanny
• childhood educator/assistant.

Find out about employment growth and salaries for childcare workers and out of school hours care workers on the government job-data site, Labour Market Insights. Demand for childcare professionals in Melbourne's west is set to remain high, with large population growth in the area.

You may choose to undertake further study, going on to our Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care CHC50121.

To be awarded CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, a student must successfully complete a total of seventeen (17) units of competency, comprising of:

• Fifteen (15) core units, and;
• Two (2) elective units of which:

• at least one (1) unit must be selected from the CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care qualification, and;
• one (1) unit may be selected from any endorsed training package or accredited courses - this unit must be relevant to the work outcome.

All electives chosen must support the overall integrity of the AQF level of this qualification and contribute to a valid, industry-supported vocational outcome as well as be approved by the Polytechnic.

Recognition of Prior Learning and/or Credit Transfers:Previous completion of units at the Polytechnic or any other Registered Training Organisation and/or previous attainment of skills and knowledge may be credited towards this course. Units must satisfy the completion rules of the qualification and be assessed as appropriate by the Polytechnic.

Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

You may be able to complete your qualification sooner through formal recognition of your existing skills. This is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

To receive RPL, we assess your previous work, education and life experiences against recognised qualifications. Applications for RPL can be made prior to enrolling.

Call us on 1300 TAFE VP (1300 823 387) to discuss RPL options with the course manager.

Before starting your application, please read through the step-by-step VU Polytechnic application process to make sure you have all the necessary documents and information ready to successfully complete your application.

Before applying, you should consider whether you also want to apply for:

• Credit transfer/Recognition of prior learning (RPL): If you have significant experience or studies elsewhere you may be eligible for credit for some units of your course and not have to undertake them.