Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
Take your career in early childhood education and care up a notch, and gain the skills and knowledge required to lead a team in an early childhood education and care service; and provide care and meet the social, emotional, physical and educational needs of infants and young children in various settings.
This course will give you the skills and knowledge to be able to lead a team in an early childhood education and care service, provide care and meet the social, emotional, physical and educational needs of infants and young children in various settings.
You'll learn about ethical work practices and legal requirements of the industry, and gain advanced skills in care routines, working with families, observing and recording children's behaviour, working with culturally diverse clients and managing safety in the workplace.
You'll also learn how to work closely with children from different backgrounds and cultures and provide care and support for them in various child care situations.
Note: This course is suitable for people who already have some background or experience in this field. If you're unsure, please seek advice from the training provider to see whether this course is the right choice for you.
Completion of this nationally recognised and accredited qualification may provide credit towards a relevant higher level qualification or university degree, should you wish to pursue further study in this field.
Training options
- Fee-free
- Apprenticeship or traineeship
Industry area
- Education and Community Services
Study area
- Early Childhood Education and Care
Course ID
- National ID: CHC50125
- WA State ID: BPA2
This course is available from registered training organisations (accredited private training providers) that are also funded through Jobs and Skills WA. Select from the list below, and follow the link to the provider's website for further information about the course and how to enrol.
Lead the Way in Early Childhood Education
This qualification reflects the role of educators in early childhood education and care who work in regulated children’s education and care services in Australia. Educators at this level 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.
Early childhood educators work in long day care centres, family day care, pre-schools or kindergartens.
Work Placement
To achieve this qualification, the individual must have completed a total of at least 280 hours of work in a regulated children’s education and care service in Australia as detailed in the Assessment Requirements of units of competency. The total number of hours may be applied collectively across all units of competency that include the requirement for workplace hours.
Delivery locations
A fulfilling career helping children grow and develop
This diploma will provide you with the skills and knowledge to manage the operation of a child care service where you would be responsible for planning, implementing and managing programs in early childhood services (0-6 years), in accordance with licensing, accreditation and duty of care requirements. You would also supervise staff and volunteers.
During this course you will learn to provide care and meet the social, emotional, physical and educational needs of infants and young children in various care settings.
As part of this qualification, you will undertake ongoing work placement where you will be able to apply the skills and knowledge you have learned. You will work closely with children from different backgrounds and cultures and provide care and support for them.
In most states this is the highest qualification required at director or service manager level for children's service centre -based care and education.
Over 90% of our graduates gain employment on completion of their studies.
If you are or have been, working in the Early Childhood Education industry you may be able to gain full or partial qualification and achieve your Diploma in a shorter period of time through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), see the Important Information tab below for more details.
Delivery location
The Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care covers educators in children's services (early childhood) who are responsible for planning, implementing and managing programs in early childhood services, in accordance with licensing, accreditation and duty of care requirements.
At this level, educators have responsibility for the supervision of other staff and volunteers. In most states, it is the highest qualification required at the director or service manager level for children's service centre-based care and education.
Delivery locations
This course is available from registered training organisations (accredited private training providers) that are also funded through Jobs and Skills WA. Select from the list below, and follow the link to the provider's website for further information about the course and how to enrol.
Meerilinga Training College promotes professional excellence in the early childhood education sector by developing Educators who inspire children’s curiosity and learning. We are a Registered Training Organisation (6000) with more than 40 years’ experience in early childhood education, child development and community services across WA. With training locations across the metropolitan area, it’s not just about what we do but how and why we do it.
At Meerilinga Training College you’re not just a student to us, you become a part of our Meerilinga community. We work within school hours to allow mums to study between the school run, and we negotiate a practical placement close to home to give you the best opportunity for positive outcomes in the workplace. We offer you training and support from our friendly and experienced staff, who are industry professionals with current industry knowledge.
Take the opportunity NOW to work towards a rewarding and fulfilling career in educating children. With learning support offered, our blended delivery model includes your trainer for face to face, virtual and skills instructional classes and offers maximum flexibility for you to get the most from your training. Approved by Centrelink. For further information or opportunities for training in Perth email mtc@meerilinga.org.au or visit www.meerilingatrainingcollege.org.au
Delivery location
Step into senior roles shaping children’s learning and well-being. The CHC50125 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care equips you to design, implement, and evaluate curriculum under the National Quality Framework (NQF), lead teams, and ensure safe, inclusive, play‑based environments. Build capability in observation and assessment, planning for holistic development, compliance with regulations, working with families and communities, and leading continuous improvement across services.
Who it's for: Educators ready to advance from Certificate III into room leader/educational leader roles, Career changers seeking a nationally recognised pathway into early childhood education, School leavers with passion for children’s learning who meet entry prerequisites, Educators aiming for leadership, mentoring, and compliance responsibilities and Pathway learners planning further study (e.g., Bachelor of Early Childhood Education/Teaching)
Careers: Lead Educator/Room Leader, Educational Leader, Early Childhood Educator (Diploma), Kindergarten/Preschool Assistant (Diploma), Outside School Hours Care (OSHC), Supervisor/Coordinator.
Course Outcome: A nationally recognised CHC50125 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.
Delivery location
The CHC50125 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care prepares educators to work in regulated children’s education and care services in Australia. Educators at this level design and implement curriculum aligned with an approved learning framework and ensure compliance with service operations. They apply specialised knowledge and theoretical concepts to diverse work situations and may supervise volunteers or other educators.
Graduates can pursue roles such as early childhood educator (in long day care centres, family day care, preschools, or kindergartens), playgroup/volunteer supervisor, childhood educator, assistant, nanny, or mobile assistant.
This qualification comprises 15 units: 12 core and 3 elective units. It includes 36 weeks of classroom training and 14 weeks of work-based training (WBT). Students attend face-to-face classes two days per week (Monday and Tuesday) from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, with a 45-minute lunch break, at our Perth Campus (Level 1, 160 Central Arcade, 811 Hay Street, PERTH WA 6000).
Traineeship students can complete training on-the-job, with assessments conducted in the workplace. Experienced trainers with extensive industry expertise deliver all instruction. Please contact us to confirm eligibility.
Delivery location
This course will give you the skills and knowledge to be able to lead a team in an early childhood education and care service, provide care and meet the social, emotional, physical and educational needs of infants and young children in various settings.
You'll learn about ethical work practices and legal requirements of the industry, and gain advanced skills in care routines, working with families, observing and recording children's behaviour, working with culturally diverse clients and managing safety in the workplace.
You'll also learn how to work closely with children from different backgrounds and cultures and provide care and support for them in various child care situations.
Note: This course is suitable for people who already have some background or experience in this field. If you're unsure, please seek advice from the training provider to see whether this course is the right choice for you.
Completion of this nationally recognised and accredited qualification may provide credit towards a relevant higher level qualification or university degree, should you wish to pursue further study in this field.
Training options
- Fee-free
- Apprenticeship or traineeship
Industry area
- Education and Community Services
Study area
- Early Childhood Education and Care
Course ID
- National ID: CHC50125
- WA State ID: BPA2
To find out more about doing this course at a WA TAFE college, select one of the TAFEs listed below to read their course descriptions. You'll also be able to see at which TAFE campus/es the course is delivered.
If you would like further information such as when the course is available and how to enrol, and details of course fees, or if you have questions about how the course is delivered, please follow the Find out more link to go to the TAFE's website where you will find full course details and contact information so that you can speak to the TAFE directly.
Lead the Way in Early Childhood Education
This qualification reflects the role of educators in early childhood education and care who work in regulated children’s education and care services in Australia. Educators at this level 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.
Early childhood educators work in long day care centres, family day care, pre-schools or kindergartens.
Work Placement
To achieve this qualification, the individual must have completed a total of at least 280 hours of work in a regulated children’s education and care service in Australia as detailed in the Assessment Requirements of units of competency. The total number of hours may be applied collectively across all units of competency that include the requirement for workplace hours.
Delivery locations
A fulfilling career helping children grow and develop
This diploma will provide you with the skills and knowledge to manage the operation of a child care service where you would be responsible for planning, implementing and managing programs in early childhood services (0-6 years), in accordance with licensing, accreditation and duty of care requirements. You would also supervise staff and volunteers.
During this course you will learn to provide care and meet the social, emotional, physical and educational needs of infants and young children in various care settings.
As part of this qualification, you will undertake ongoing work placement where you will be able to apply the skills and knowledge you have learned. You will work closely with children from different backgrounds and cultures and provide care and support for them.
In most states this is the highest qualification required at director or service manager level for children's service centre -based care and education.
Over 90% of our graduates gain employment on completion of their studies.
If you are or have been, working in the Early Childhood Education industry you may be able to gain full or partial qualification and achieve your Diploma in a shorter period of time through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), see the Important Information tab below for more details.
Delivery location
The Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care covers educators in children's services (early childhood) who are responsible for planning, implementing and managing programs in early childhood services, in accordance with licensing, accreditation and duty of care requirements.
At this level, educators have responsibility for the supervision of other staff and volunteers. In most states, it is the highest qualification required at the director or service manager level for children's service centre-based care and education.
Delivery locations
Lead the Way in Early Childhood Education
This qualification reflects the role of educators in early childhood education and care who work in regulated children’s education and care services in Australia. Educators at this level 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.
Early childhood educators work in long day care centres, family day care, pre-schools or kindergartens.
Work Placement
To achieve this qualification, the individual must have completed a total of at least 280 hours of work in a regulated children’s education and care service in Australia as detailed in the Assessment Requirements of units of competency. The total number of hours may be applied collectively across all units of competency that include the requirement for workplace hours.
Locations
A fulfilling career helping children grow and develop
This diploma will provide you with the skills and knowledge to manage the operation of a child care service where you would be responsible for planning, implementing and managing programs in early childhood services (0-6 years), in accordance with licensing, accreditation and duty of care requirements. You would also supervise staff and volunteers.
During this course you will learn to provide care and meet the social, emotional, physical and educational needs of infants and young children in various care settings.
As part of this qualification, you will undertake ongoing work placement where you will be able to apply the skills and knowledge you have learned. You will work closely with children from different backgrounds and cultures and provide care and support for them.
In most states this is the highest qualification required at director or service manager level for children's service centre -based care and education.
Over 90% of our graduates gain employment on completion of their studies.
If you are or have been, working in the Early Childhood Education industry you may be able to gain full or partial qualification and achieve your Diploma in a shorter period of time through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), see the Important Information tab below for more details.
Locations
The Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care covers educators in children's services (early childhood) who are responsible for planning, implementing and managing programs in early childhood services, in accordance with licensing, accreditation and duty of care requirements.
At this level, educators have responsibility for the supervision of other staff and volunteers. In most states, it is the highest qualification required at the director or service manager level for children's service centre-based care and education.
Locations
This course is available from registered training organisations (accredited private training providers) that are also funded through Jobs and Skills WA. Select from the list below, and follow the link to the provider's website for further information about the course and how to enrol.
Meerilinga Training College promotes professional excellence in the early childhood education sector by developing Educators who inspire children’s curiosity and learning. We are a Registered Training Organisation (6000) with more than 40 years’ experience in early childhood education, child development and community services across WA. With training locations across the metropolitan area, it’s not just about what we do but how and why we do it.
At Meerilinga Training College you’re not just a student to us, you become a part of our Meerilinga community. We work within school hours to allow mums to study between the school run, and we negotiate a practical placement close to home to give you the best opportunity for positive outcomes in the workplace. We offer you training and support from our friendly and experienced staff, who are industry professionals with current industry knowledge.
Take the opportunity NOW to work towards a rewarding and fulfilling career in educating children. With learning support offered, our blended delivery model includes your trainer for face to face, virtual and skills instructional classes and offers maximum flexibility for you to get the most from your training. Approved by Centrelink. For further information or opportunities for training in Perth email mtc@meerilinga.org.au or visit www.meerilingatrainingcollege.org.au
Delivery location
Step into senior roles shaping children’s learning and well-being. The CHC50125 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care equips you to design, implement, and evaluate curriculum under the National Quality Framework (NQF), lead teams, and ensure safe, inclusive, play‑based environments. Build capability in observation and assessment, planning for holistic development, compliance with regulations, working with families and communities, and leading continuous improvement across services.
Who it's for: Educators ready to advance from Certificate III into room leader/educational leader roles, Career changers seeking a nationally recognised pathway into early childhood education, School leavers with passion for children’s learning who meet entry prerequisites, Educators aiming for leadership, mentoring, and compliance responsibilities and Pathway learners planning further study (e.g., Bachelor of Early Childhood Education/Teaching)
Careers: Lead Educator/Room Leader, Educational Leader, Early Childhood Educator (Diploma), Kindergarten/Preschool Assistant (Diploma), Outside School Hours Care (OSHC), Supervisor/Coordinator.
Course Outcome: A nationally recognised CHC50125 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.
Delivery location
The CHC50125 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care prepares educators to work in regulated children’s education and care services in Australia. Educators at this level design and implement curriculum aligned with an approved learning framework and ensure compliance with service operations. They apply specialised knowledge and theoretical concepts to diverse work situations and may supervise volunteers or other educators.
Graduates can pursue roles such as early childhood educator (in long day care centres, family day care, preschools, or kindergartens), playgroup/volunteer supervisor, childhood educator, assistant, nanny, or mobile assistant.
This qualification comprises 15 units: 12 core and 3 elective units. It includes 36 weeks of classroom training and 14 weeks of work-based training (WBT). Students attend face-to-face classes two days per week (Monday and Tuesday) from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, with a 45-minute lunch break, at our Perth Campus (Level 1, 160 Central Arcade, 811 Hay Street, PERTH WA 6000).
Traineeship students can complete training on-the-job, with assessments conducted in the workplace. Experienced trainers with extensive industry expertise deliver all instruction. Please contact us to confirm eligibility.
Delivery location
Train with WA's industry experts
In this short video you'll hear from Christine, who completed her Diploma at Western Australia's North Metropolitan TAFE. This training may also be available at other TAFEs across WA.
Doing your qualification at a WA TAFE college or accredited private training provider will ensure you're receiving quality, industry standard training to get the skills and knowledge employers are looking for.
Free support and assistance
Your local jobs and Skills Centre can provide free information, support and assistance to help you decide on the best training options to meet your goals.
Disclaimer
The information presented on the course lists within this website is provided to the Department of Training and Workforce Development by the WA TAFE colleges and private training providers, and is offered as a guide only. It is updated regularly, however some changes to details may occur in between updates. You should always contact the TAFE or private training provider directly to confirm details and/or ask questions.
Some eligibility criteria apply for fee free and reduced fee courses, and other fees may apply. Further information is available here