3 Best Early Child Care Courses in Australia (Ranked!)

3 Best Early Child Care Courses in Australia (Ranked!)

With the demand for childcare professionals rising, having the right qualifications can open doors to fulfilling career opportunities and long-term job security.

Some of the best courses to enrol in to get started in a career in child care include Certificate III in early childhood education and Care, Diploma in early childhood education and Care, and Certificate III in early childhood education and Care (Family Daycare).

A reputable and recognized qualification will equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge and enhance your employability in a thriving industry. 

Suppose you have been dreaming of a rewarding career in early childhood education and Care; you are in luck.

Today we’ll present a comprehensive list of Australia’s top 3 early childcare courses. We will provide an overview of each course, including the duration, career opportunities it offers, prerequisite requirements, and other relevant details. 

By the end of this post, you’ll clearly understand the best courses to pursue in early childhood education and Care. 

Let’s dive in!

1. Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

     

If you’re eager to embark on a rewarding career in early childhood education and care, Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care is an excellent starting point. 

This nationally recognized qualification equips you with the essential knowledge and skills to provide quality care and contribute to the development and education of young children.

Duration and work placement

The course typically spans up to 18 months and includes 160 hours of work placement. 

This hands-on experience allows you to apply what you’ve learned in a real childcare setting, honing your practical skills and gaining valuable industry experience.

Course overview

This online course will delve into a wide range of topics that are crucial for providing effective care and promoting the holistic development of children.

Some of the key areas covered include:

• Providing care for children
• Child development
• Planning and implementing educational programs
• Health and Safety

Career opportunities

• Child Care Assistant
• Early Childhood Educator
• Long Day Care Educator
• Kindergarten Assistant

Prerequisites and entry criteria

To enrol in the Certificate III course, you’ll need to meet the following requirements:

• Parent or Guardian approval for students under 18 years old.
• Permanent Australian residency or equivalent.
• Access to computing and internet facilities.
• Mandatory work placement requires access to a regulated education and care service provider and a qualified supervisor.

It’s important to note that a Working with Children Check is also mandatory for this course to ensure the safety and well-being of children in your care.

Upon completion, you will be issued a CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, which opens for you doors to a fulfilling career in child care.

Check our Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care course page to get started.

2. Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

This Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care equips you with the advanced knowledge and expertise needed to excel in leadership roles and significantly impact young children’s lives.

You will learn everything that a Certificate III holder does, but you will delve deeper into the National Quality Standards and the EYLF. 

At the end of the course, you will have learned how to educate and engage children of all ages in accordance with government standards.

Duration and work placement

The Early Childhood Education and Care Diploma is typically completed in 18 months. It includes 280 hours of work placement, allowing you to use your knowledge in a real-world childcare setting under the supervision of qualified supervisors.

Course overview 

In this diploma course, you will explore various topics that deepen your understanding of child development, educational frameworks, and leadership in early childhood education. 

Some key areas covered in the course include:

• Developing teams and individuals
• Implementing approved learning frameworks
• Child development and observation
• Ensuring compliance and health and safety

Career opportunities

With a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care, you will have a wide range of work opportunities in the early childhood education sector, including:

• Lead Educator
• Childcare Director
• Educational Leader
• Group Leader

Prerequisites and entry criteria

To enrol in the Diploma course, you will need to meet the following requirements:

• Hold a Certificate 3 in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30121 or CHC30113).
• Obtain parent or guardian approval if you are under 18 years old.
• Be a permanent Australian resident or equivalent.
• Fulfil mandatory work placement requirements, including access to a regulated education and care service provider and a qualified supervisor.

Once you complete this course, you will earn the CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, a nationally recognized qualification that opens doors to diverse and rewarding career opportunities.

You can even decide to start your own childcare business if you want.

Visit our Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care course page to get started.

3. Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (Family Day Care)

Suppose you have a passion for working in a home environment and providing personalized care to children. In that case, Certificate 3 in Early Childhood Education and Care (Family Day Care) is the perfect course for you.

This specialized qualification prepares you for a fulfilling career as a Family Day Care Educator, where you can offer children a nurturing and educational experience in a home-based setting.

Duration and work placement

Like Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, this family daycare course typically lasts up to 18 months. It includes 160 hours of work placement, allowing you to gain hands-on experience in a regulated family daycare service.

You must also have access to a qualified supervisor with a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care or equivalent.

Course overview

Throughout this course, you will gain the necessary knowledge and expertise to provide high-quality care and facilitate the development of children in a family daycare environment.

Key areas covered in the curriculum include:

• Providing care for children
• Holistic development of children
• Building relationships with families
• Compliance and regulations

Career opportunities

Upon successful completion of the course, you will have various career opportunities, including:

• Family Day Care Educator
• Early Childhood Educator
• Childcare Assistant
• Kindergarten Assistant

Prerequisites and entry criteria

To enrol in this specific Certificate III course, you must meet the following requirements:

• Obtain parent or guardian approval if you are under 18 years old.
• Be a permanent Australian resident or equivalent.
• Fulfil mandatory work placement requirements, including access to a regulated family day care service provider and a qualified supervisor.
• Working with Children Check is also mandatory to ensure the safety and well-being of children in your care.

Once completed, you will be awarded the CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (Family Day Care). 

This recognized qualification opens doors to a fulfilling career as a Family Day Care Educator, where you can positively impact the lives of kids in a home environment.

Get started with Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care Family Day Care course. 

Other alternatives

Regarding early childhood education courses in Australia, a few other alternatives are worth considering. It’s important to highlight that the courses discussed above are among the top picks for individuals seeking highly focused comprehensive training and excellent career prospects. 

Nevertheless, let’s briefly explore a few other options available in the market.

Bachelor of Early Childhood Education

This four-year teaching degree is designed specifically for individuals who aspire to become Early Childhood Teachers or Kindergarten Teachers. 

The curriculum provides comprehensive training in pedagogy, curriculum development, and child psychology. 

While this program offers a higher level of qualification, it may require a more significant investment of time and financial resources compared to our courses.

However, our courses excel in terms of flexibility, online learning options, and strong employment opportunities upon graduation.

Certificate 3 in Early Childhood Education and Care and Diploma Program in Early Childhood Education and Care

This combined Certificate III and Diploma program is similar to our offering and provides individuals with the necessary skills and expertise to work in various early childhood education roles. 

However, our courses excel in terms of comprehensiveness and focus, providing a solid employment opportunity upon graduation. 

Because of the knowledge we impact in the graduates of our child care programs, they can become well-rounded early childhood educators.

Certificate 3 in Early Childhood Education and Care (Family Day Care) and Diploma Program in Early Childhood Education and Care

Similar to the section above, this is a combined Certificate III and Diploma program with a focus on Family Day Care. This course equips individuals with the skills to work in family daycare centres, preschools, or kindergartens. 

While this program caters to those interested in a home environment, our courses offer a more focused curriculum providing a solid employment opportunity in early childhood education settings.

Takeaway: Start your journey to an early childcare career

Choosing the right childcare course is essential for a successful career.  

Our online child care courses, such as the Certificate 3 in Early Childhood Education and Care program, Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, and the Certificate 3 in Early Childhood Education and Care (Family Day Care), offer a more affordable, faster route to this career path making them the best picks.

In addition, our courses provide more comprehensive education, flexibility in learning options, and strong employment prospects in the field of early childhood education. 

To learn more about these courses and if TAFE courses like ours are better than a University course for career success, read:  TAFE is Better Than University for Career Success and Here’s Why.