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Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
Build a solid career in education with the skills and knowledge you need to inspire and support children as a Childhood Educator in a classroom or community education setting, with Open Colleges’ CHC30113 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.
Occasional Care Educator at a service operating an Early Childhood service at the same premises
Operator of a Family Day Care service
Course Description
The CHC30113 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care will prepare you for a future career in an early childhood setting, helping educators to provide a healthy, safe and caring environment for children. The course will give you the skills to communicate and work collaboratively with educators and colleagues, as well as to support the holistic wellbeing, health and safety of all children. You will master the skills that you need to effectively help children learn and become confident and involved learners. During your studies, you will also learn how to support children with behavioural issues.
The course will train you to navigate and comply with all the current legal and industry related requirements, policies and procedures. You will become adept at supporting planned education programs in early childhood settings, as well as assisting with the organisation of classrooms and community education centres.
During you journey through this course you will also have the opportunity to learn about the ‘Early Years Learning Framework’ and how you can support children in their development.
Why study this course?
The CHC30113 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care offers the best of both worlds: the flexibility of online learning, with a practical 120 hours of work placement in a real classroom of your choosing, so you can practice and perfect what you learn.
The CHC30113 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care is perfect for people who are wanting to start a career in early childhood settings, as well as for those who are already working in the area but who need to formalise their qualifications to take the next step in their career.
This course involves work placement that currently needs to be undertaken in Australia. More information available in our FAQs
If you are an existing worker or have experience in the related industry, please inform our enrolment consultants during your enrolment conversation as you may be eligible to enrol as an existing worker and may be able to complete your studies faster.
Potential career outcomes
Educator in a center-based service
Family Day Care Educator
Mobile Early Childhood Service Educator
Occasional Care Educator at a service operating an Early Childhood service at the same premises
You will need to have completed year 10, or equivalent. Equivalency can be demonstrated by one of the following:
A qualification at Certificate II level or higher OR
2 years of industry experience in a role that requires the use of written documentation and communication.
Minimum age
You will need to be at least 18 years old.
English
This course involves reading and undertaking a range of written assessments, as well as engaging in online forums and discussions. Furthermore, the delivery mode relies on the extensive use of written communication. As such, entry to the course requires the successful completion of English to Year 10 level.
If you haven't successfully completed English at Year 10 level, you can demonstrate equivalency through one of the following:
Successful completion of a Nationally Recognised Training qualification at Certificate II level or higher; or
2 years relevant industry experience in a role that requires the use of written documentation and communication
Open Colleges recognises that not all people are able to read, write and perform calculations to the same standard. See the Language, Literacy and Numeracy Considerations section for more information on tools, resources and support services provided to you by Open Colleges.
Computing
You will need access to a computer and the internet and have basic computing skills. Minimum specifications for your computer are:
All users:
Microsoft Office 2010 or equivalent
Broadband internet connection
2GB of RAM
CD-ROM or DVD drive
Adobe Reader XI or equivalent
Adobe Flash Player 10 or higher.
Access to printer and associated software
Access to scanner and associated software
Digital imaging software
File compression software.
Windows users:
Microsoft Windows 7 or higher (Windows 8 recommended)
1 Ghz or faster processer (2GHz recommended)
Mac OS users:
Mac OSX v10.5 or higher (Mac OSX v10.6 recommended)
1 Ghz or faster processer (2GHz recommended)
Skills
To successfully complete this course, you will require basic computing skills. This includes:
Creating, saving and editing Microsoft Office documents.
Accessing and searching the internet.
Downloading and saving documents from websites.
Uploading documents through websites.
Participating in online discussions.
Compressing image files.
Connecting digital cameras and downloading and storing images.
Physical requirements
Students will need to be reasonably physically fit to undertake the work placement as the tasks and activities associated with the work placement may involve manual lifting and other physical activities.
Language, Literacy and Numeracy
Our free online assessment tool can help give you an idea of the language, literacy and numeracy skills needed to study a VET course. This tool can also help you determine your learning level and help you plan your future studies. You can access the Language, Literacy and Numeracy tool here.
Open Colleges may make changes to the course from time to time to reflect changes introduced to the relevant Training Package or other regulatory requirements. Please download the course guide for current information about the course and its status.
Module 1
CHCLEG001
Work legally and ethically
Identify and respond to legal requirements
Identify and meet ethical responsibilities
Contribute to workplace improvements
Module 2
CHCECE009
Use an approved learning framework to guide practice
Identify learning frameworks
Apply the learning framework
Module 3
CHCECE001
Develop cultural competence
Reflect on own cultural identity and biases
Identify and develop cultural competency
Research Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities
Support individual cultural identities
Create environments to support children’s cross-cultural understanding and relationships
Support the implementation of inclusive learning experiences
Support children in developing confidence and strength in personal and cultural identity
Module 4
CHCDIV002
Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
Identify cultural safety issues in the workplace
Model cultural safety in own work
Develop strategies for improved cultural safety
Evaluate cultural safety strategies
Module 5
CHCPRT001
Identify and respond to children and young people at risk
Implement work practices which support the protection of children and young people
Report indications of possible risk of harm
Apply ethical and nurturing practices in work with children and young people
Module 6
CHCECE002
Ensure the health and safety of children
Support each child’s health needs
Provide opportunities to meet each child’s need for sleep, rest and relaxation
Implement effective hygiene and health practices
Supervise children to ensure safety
Minimise risks
Contribute to the ongoing management of allergies
Contribute to the ongoing management of asthma
Module 7
CHCECE005
Provide care for babies and toddlers
Promote safe sleep
Provide positive nappy-changing and toileting experiences
Promote quality mealtime environments
Create a healthy and safe supporting environment
Develop relationships with babies and toddlers
Develop relationships with families
Module 8
CHCECE003
Provide care for children
Provide physical care
Promote physical activity
Adapt facilities to ensure access and participation
Help children with change
Settle new arrivals
Module 9
CHCECE007
Develop positive and respectful relationships with children
Communicate positively with children
Interact positively with children
Support and respect children
Maintain the dignity and rights of children
Module 10
CHCECE004
Promote and provide healthy food and drinks
Promote healthy eating
Plan food and drinks that are nutritious and appropriate for each child
Maintain food safety while carrying out food-handling activities
Module 11
CHCECE010
Support the holistic development of children in early childhood
Support physical development
Support social development
Support emotional development
Support cognitive development
Support communication development
Create an environment for holistic learning and development
Module 12
CHCECE013
Use information about children to inform practice
Gather information about the child through observation
Gather information about the child from secondary sources
Record observations appropriately
Use observations and information collected to contribute to program planning
Module 13
CHCECE011
Provide experiences to support children's play and learning
Create an environment for play
Support children’s play and learning
Facilitate children’s play, learning and physical activity
Module 14
HLTWHS001
Participate in workplace health and safety
Follow safe work practices
Implement safe work practices
Contribute to safe work practices in the workplace
Reflect on own safe work practices
Module 15: Electives
Choice of 3 electives
MODULES 15-20
Electives
Choice of three electives:
CHCPRT003 Work collaboratively to maintain an environment safe for children and young people*
CHCECE006 Support behaviour of children and young people
CHCECE012 Support children to connect with their world
CHCECE014 Comply with family day care administration requirements
CHCECE015 Attend to daily functions in home based child care
BSBSUS301 Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices
​​*This unit requires 120 hours of work placement in a child protection service. You should only select this elective if you are currently employed in a child protection service.
HLTAID004
Provide an emergency first aid response in an education and care setting
HLTAID004 Provide an emergency first aid response in an education and care setting**
**Open Colleges does not provide this unit. You will need to provide a current Education and Care First Aid Certificate
to satisfy competency for this unit.
If you choose to pay your course fees up-front in full, you’ll benefit from a 15% discount (unless otherwise advertised).
Pay 50% Deposit
If you choose to pay 50% of your course fees up-front, you'll benefit from 50% of the standard (or advertised) discount.
Payment Plan
Pay for your course in weekly or fortnightly instalments. By paying in instalments, you can schedule your payments around your regular outgoings and get ahead without breaking the bank. Open Colleges payment plans are interest-free.
zipMoney Payment Plan
If you need a little more flexibility in your finances, and want to pay off your course fees over a longer period of time, we can assist by organising zipMoney to pay your course fees directly to us on your behalf, and you pay this loan back to ZipMoney over a period of agreed time with them. zipMoney provides you flexible options of selecting a 24, 36 or 48 months interest-free payment plan (dependant on which course you are enrolling into) to suit your lifestyle, giving you more flexibility than ever before.
BPAY®
With BPAY®, you’re able to pay quickly and securely, 24/7 through your Internet, mobile or phone banking service. You can choose when, how much and from which account to pay from - whatever works for you. BPAY® is only available when paying in full. Call an Enrolment Consultant to find out more.
BPAY® is a trademark of BPAY Pty Ltd ABN 69 079 137 518. Check if BPAY® is right for you by reading the terms and conditions available from your Financial Institution.
Claire has been a Trainer/Assessor at Open Colleges for 3 years. Prior to this, she spent 17 years as a Childcare Educator in many different roles. She has specialised in Family Day Care, and sustainability – running a successful Family Day Care business for over 6 years. Claire completed her Certificate IV in Training and Assessment online with Open Colleges and understands the pressures of juggling family, full time work and online study. Claire is a passionate advocate for Family Day Care and is looking forward to sharing her experience and knowledge with students.
Eliana Vogiatzis
Eliana has over 25 years of experience within the Early Childhood Education industry. She has successfully undertaken senior roles within Long-Day Childcare Centres and in Out of School Hours Care services, having served in Directorial roles for some 15 years.
Eliana is passionate about the industry and equally so about helping students reach their potential, whether they be an Early Childhood student or someone who is interested in becoming a part of the next generation of Early Childhood Education Professionals.
Georgina Antoune
Georgina has over 25 years’ experience in Early Childhood Education.
Throughout her years, she has occupied a variety of roles, including University Supervisor, owner/operator of her own early childhood service and teaching the Certificate III and Diploma of Early Childhood with Open Colleges over the last 5 years.
As a tertiary qualified Early Childhood Educator, she is committed to delivering a high-quality service for children, families and staff. Her passions include inclusivity – particularly working with children with additional needs, and mentoring others about the value of the early years for young children.
Lyndal Wilkins
Lyndal holds a Bachelor of Teaching as well as a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. She has over 15 years’ experience working with educators, children and families and in early childhood education, and has also continuously furthered her qualifications and professional development. Throughout her career Lyndal has undertaken numerous roles. Most recently she worked as an educational leader and mentor in services- up skilling early childhood educators in curriculum planning and working with the Early Years Learning Framework.
Opilla Thambiran
Opilla has been working in the Early Childhood Industry for 23 years working in variety of services in both the Illawarra and Sydney including setting up new services, family grouped and aged grouped centres. She has worked with all age groups preferring to work with the babies and toddlers, although these age groups are very challenging. She found them the most rewarding seeing them learn and develop forming bonds and attachment with their peers and educators.
Throughout these years, Opilla has seen many changes, beliefs and theories on how children learn and develop throughout their lives she has experience in being room leader in all rooms, 2IC, working with and being a part of projects with academics from Macquarie University throughout her working life. In 2014 she decided to pass on her passion and love of the industry, gaining her Certificate IV in assessment and training and began teaching Certificate III and Diploma in Children Services to International students and domestic students.
Tricia Ellerbeck
Tricia has been involved in the childcare industry for the past 26 years and has extensive experience working in a range of different early childhood education and care settings including Long Day Care, both private and corporate, as a Director and Approved Provider, Family Day Care as support Coordinator and Early Childhood consultant and OOSH/OSHC services as a Coordinator and Compliance Officer and more recently as a Regional manager.
Passionate about sharing her knowledge, skills and abilities, Tricia has spent the past 9 years, fulfilling roles with Tafe and other RTO’s, to support students studying Certificate III and the Diploma of ECEC, in both SA and NSW.
Tricia holds an Advanced Diploma of Children’s Services and a Certificate IV in Training & Assessment.
Victoria Brett
Victoria has had many years in early childhood education. She holds a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and near completion of Bachelor of Education (Birth to Five Years).
Victoria is passionate about early childhood education and volunteers regularly assisting children living on the margins with education programmes and support.
Open Colleges is the preferred provider of this course for:
Littlehubs is a child care platform that’s creating a smarter way for families to access flexible and trusted child care. At Littlehubs, carers receive casual and one-off bookings through the app, while managing everything from school pick-up to extra-curricular activities and homework for the families. Littlehubs offers carers consistent work, while connecting them with like-minded families in their community.
The course contains a minimum of 120 hours of work placement
Your Work Placement will need to be conducted in a registered child care facility, supervised by a qualified staff member. You will also need to secure your own Work Placement, however Open Colleges can provide advice and direction through our Work Placement Support Team.
There are a number of statutory checks required by workplaces, such as a Working with Children Check. These may vary by state. In addition, individual workplaces may impose additional requirements on students undertaking work placement. You will be responsible for the costs of any such checks or requirements. Please see the Workplace Assessment Guide for details on the individual statutory requirements for your state or territory.
You will also need to complete a First Aid Certificate to demonstrate competency for HLTAID004 Provide an emergency first aid response in an education and care setting at your own cost prior to completing your course.
Your work placement will need to be completed in Australia, and you will be responsible for the costs of any travel, accommodation, statutory checks or other requirements related to your work placement.
During your placement an Open Colleges workplace assessor will visit you to observe you performing some of your tasks.
Course Details
Requirements
Subjects
Payment Options
Trainers
Industry Connections
Work Placement
