Education & Early Childhood

Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

Build the practical skills and knowledge to support children's wellbeing, learning and development while working as an educator in regulated early childhood education and care services.

CHC30125 Certificate III 17 Units 160 Hours Work Placement
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Course at a Glance

Start your pathway into early childhood education and care.

Understand the qualification structure, placement requirement and key training areas before you enrol.

Qualification
CHC30125
Units
15 Core + 2 Elective
Work Placement
Minimum 160 Hours
Entry Requirements
No Formal Entry Requirements
Course Overview

Develop the skills to support children's learning and wellbeing.

CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care reflects the role of educators working in regulated children's education and care services across Australia.

Educators support children's wellbeing and development within an approved learning framework. They use established policies and procedures while applying practical skills, knowledge, discretion and judgement in their day-to-day work.

Early childhood educators may work in long day care centres, family day care, pre-schools or kindergartens.

Qualification Snapshot

Qualification Code CHC30125
Qualification Level Certificate III
Total Units 17 units
Work Placement Minimum 160 hours in a regulated children's education and care service in Australia
Entry Requirements No formal entry requirements specified by the national qualification
What You'll Learn

Build practical skills for early childhood education and care.

The qualification develops capabilities across children's wellbeing, development, learning and safe care.

01

Children's Health & Wellbeing

Support children's health, safety and wellbeing within regulated education and care environments.

02

Babies & Toddlers

Develop skills to nurture babies and toddlers while responding appropriately to their needs.

03

Learning & Development

Support children's holistic learning and development using appropriate experiences and activities.

04

Positive Relationships

Develop positive and respectful relationships with children in education and care settings.

05

Observation & Practice

Observe children to inform practice and use an approved learning framework to guide your work.

06

Inclusion, Safety & Ethics

Support inclusion and diversity while meeting legal, ethical, child-safety and workplace obligations.

Course Details

Understand the qualification structure.

CHC30125 requires 17 units completed according to the current national packaging rules.

17 Units in Total

The national qualification requires:

  • 15 core units
  • 2 elective units
  • 1 elective selected from the listed electives
  • 1 elective selected according to the qualification packaging rules

Elective selection should be guided by the intended job outcome, local sector requirements and the complexity of skills appropriate to the qualification level.

Core Training Areas

Inclusion & Diversity Support inclusive practice and diversity.
Children's Development Support holistic learning, play and development.
Learning Frameworks Use an approved learning framework to guide practice.
Child Safety Support children's safety and identify and report children and young people at risk.
First Aid & WHS Includes education-and-care first aid and workplace health and safety units.
Key Skill Areas

Prepare for real early childhood education environments.

Develop the practical knowledge expected when supporting children in regulated services.

01

Play & Learning

Provide experiences that support children's play, learning and development.

02

Natural Environment

Support children to connect with and learn through the natural environment.

03

Observation

Observe children and use information gathered to inform education and care practice.

04

Cultural Understanding

Encourage understanding of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples' cultures.

05

Legal & Ethical Practice

Understand and meet legal and ethical obligations in children's education and care.

06

Effective Work Practice

Develop professional skills for working effectively in children's education and care services.

Practical Experience / Work Placement

Complete at least 160 hours in a regulated service.

To achieve CHC30125, students must complete at least 160 hours of work in a regulated children's education and care service in Australia. National Child Safety Training must be completed before undertaking work-placement hours in a regulated service.

160 Hours Minimum
Required work in a regulated children's education and care service in Australia.
Child Safety Training
Mandatory National Child Safety Training must be completed before placement hours begin.
Real-World Practice
Apply learning while working with children, educators and service procedures.
Provider Arrangements
Confirm placement scheduling, supervision and provider requirements before enrolment.
Career Pathways

Where early childhood training can lead.

The qualification prepares educators to work across regulated children's education and care environments.

Early Childhood Educator

Support children's wellbeing, learning and development within regulated early childhood services.

Long Day Care

Work as part of an education and care team supporting children in long day care environments.

Family Day Care

Apply early childhood education and care skills in suitable family day care settings.

Pre-School

Support children's education, play and wellbeing in pre-school environments.

Kindergarten

Contribute to children's learning and development within kindergarten environments.

Further Early Childhood Study

Continue building early childhood education and care skills through higher-level study pathways.

Is This Course Right for You?

Start building a career supporting children's development.

This pathway may suit people who enjoy working with children and want practical skills for education and care settings.

This pathway may suit you if you:

  • Enjoy working with and supporting children
  • Are interested in children's learning and development
  • Want practical experience in regulated education and care services
  • Can communicate respectfully with children, families and colleagues
  • Are prepared to meet child-safety and workplace requirements
  • Want a nationally recognised early childhood qualification

Before you enrol:

  • Confirm the relevant training provider
  • Check course duration and delivery arrangements
  • Confirm the 160-hour work-placement arrangements
  • Confirm National Child Safety Training requirements
  • Check current course fees and possible funding
  • Confirm provider-specific enrolment and suitability requirements
Fees & Funding

Understand the options that may be available.

Funding, fees and availability vary by state, training provider and individual circumstances.

Government Funding May Be Available

Depending on your state, eligibility, course and training provider, you may be able to access government-subsidised training.

Eligibility, fees, course availability and enrolment requirements vary. Student contributions or other fees may apply.

Check your eligibility to find out what options may be available to you.

CHECK MY ELIGIBILITY

Who delivers the training?

The Shepherds Education is an education marketing and guidance service. We promote courses offered by partner training providers and help prospective students understand their training options.

Training is delivered and qualifications are issued by the relevant registered training organisation (RTO). Before enrolment, we help prospective students understand the relevant provider, course requirements, fees, work placement, delivery arrangements and other conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

CHC30125 Early Childhood Education & Care FAQs

What is CHC30125?

CHC30125 is the current Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care qualification. It reflects the role of educators working in regulated children's education and care services in Australia.

How many units are in the qualification?

CHC30125 requires 17 units in total: 15 core units and 2 elective units selected according to the qualification packaging rules.

How many work-placement hours are required?

Students must complete at least 160 hours of work in a regulated children's education and care service in Australia.

Do I need to complete National Child Safety Training?

Yes. The current qualification requires individuals to complete the National Child Safety Training before undertaking any work-placement hours in a regulated children's education and care service.

Are there formal entry requirements?

The national qualification has no formal entry requirements. Individual training providers may still apply their own enrolment, language, literacy, numeracy or suitability requirements.

Where can early childhood educators work?

Early childhood educators may work in long day care centres, family day care, pre-schools or kindergartens.

Can government funding be available?

Government funding may be available depending on your state, eligibility, course and training provider. Funding arrangements, fees and eligibility must be confirmed before enrolment.

Who issues the qualification?

The qualification is issued by the registered training organisation delivering the course. The Shepherds Education provides education marketing and guidance support rather than delivering the training unless otherwise stated.

Course Enquiry

Check your Early Childhood Education & Care options.

Tell us a little about yourself and we'll help you understand the training options that may be available to you.

No obligation to enrol. Final eligibility, fees, funding and enrolment requirements are confirmed by the relevant training provider.

Your Next Career Move Starts Here.

Explore your Early Childhood Education & Care training options, understand what may be available to you, and take the next step toward your career goals.

CHECK MY OPTIONS
Course availability, fees, funding, eligibility and enrolment requirements vary by course, training provider, state and individual circumstances. Final eligibility and enrolment decisions are made by the relevant training provider.

The Shepherds Education

Helping students navigate training and career pathways across Australia.

Government funding may be available to eligible students depending on the course, state, training provider and individual circumstances. Course fees, eligibility requirements and enrolment conditions vary.

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