Working with young children can be hugely rewarding, especially helping those aged five and under as they take their first steps into early education.
With close to thirty thousand jobs expected to open in the sector this year, there has never been a better time to begin your childcare career – and studying Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care can help you.
In this article, we explain everything about the certification, including course costs, duration, units of study and job prospects once completed.
Table of Contents:
- What is the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care?
- What Are the Different Day Care Settings You Can Work In?
- What Does an Early Childhood Educator Do?
- Is the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education Hard?
- How Long is a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education?
- How Much is a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education in Queensland?
- How Many Units are in the Certificate III Early Childhood Education and Care?
- Does the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care Require Work Placement?
- What Jobs Can You Do with the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care?
What is the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care?
If you want to work with children as young as six weeks to five years old, caring for and supporting them in their early years of learning, this qualification is a fundamental step on your career journey.
A Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care provides all the essential practical skills to take to the workplace – whether a daycare facility, family day care, pre and after-school care or kindergarten – and start looking after young children safely and effectively. You will also gain a detailed understanding of the National Quality Standard requirements and approved learning frameworks in this sector.
Note that this nationally recognised childcare qualification is a minimum requirement for approved providers in Australia. Therefore, it’s recommended you complete the course as soon as possible to strengthen your chances of gaining employment. At the very least, you will need to demonstrate you are ‘actively working towards’ Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care by enrolling on a course, as well as having a valid Working with Children Check and a criminal background check, to be considered for work in the childcare sector.
What Are the Different Day Care Settings You Can Work In?
- Long Day Care: A childcare centre environment where children from 6 weeks to five years spend extended periods while their parents or carers are at work.
- Family Day Care: A qualified Educator provides education and care from their home to a maximum of 5 children (aged up to 12 years).
- Corporate Day Care: Another centre-based environment within a commercial business premises, offering support to its employees and their children.
- Preschool: Shorter hours of care for children aged 3-5 during the school term. The facility may be attached to a school or a stand-alone service.
- In-home Care: High-quality early learning and care is provided by qualified educators in the home.
- Mobile Services: Education and care for families and children living in rural and remote areas.
What Does an Early Childhood Educator Do?
When working in the early years sector, your primary objective is to care for children, ensuring their safety as you guide them to manage age-appropriate tasks independently – like self-feeding, nappy changing and toilet training. You are also involved in their early stages of development and first steps in education as they learn through play.
Early Childhood Educator tasks are varied and include:
- Keeping the children safe when in care (including maintaining a clean and hygiene environment)
- Providing personal care – settling to sleep, feeding and changing nappies
- Preparing healthy food and drinks
- Helping the children to feed themselves
- Following and delivering an approved learning framework
- Leading the way with learning experiences
- Allowing the children to use their imagination
- Reading and singing to children
- Developing positive relationships
- Providing emergency support, e.g. first aid
- Comforting children when upset or after a fall
- Maintaining a clean, hygienic environment to minimise the spread of viruses and illnesses
Is the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education Hard?
If you’re wondering how to become a childcare worker, here’s the good news: it’s relatively simple.
The Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care is an entry-level certificate covering all the fundamental skills needed to work with young children. Most people committed to learning will not find this a difficult course. It also suits people who are patient, caring and compassionate since these are essential traits required of childcare workers.
There are several requirements that students must demonstrate to begin this course, including:
- Having a High School Certificate (or equivalent) or Australian Core Skills Framework: Level 3 in Reading and Numeracy
- Being at least 16 years old
- Being physically, mentally and socially healthy
Due to the nature of the care sector, other minimum requirements to work in childcare include a Working with Children Check and Police Clearance in their state of residence.
How Long is a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education?
At Collaboration Learning, the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care is delivered online as a flexible learning option, with the student choosing their study times to suit their lifestyle. There is also a work-based component to the course, including 160 hours with an approved childcare services provider.
Because the course is delivered flexibly, students complete the work at their own pace. Some may complete their qualification quickly and others will take a while longer due to existing commitments. On average, we find most students complete this childcare qualification within 12 months.
How Much is the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education in Queensland?
With research projecting continued growth in childcare, providers are constantly opening vacancies. As such, Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care has become an in-demand course.
Several state governments in Australia are currently offering subsidies for entry-level qualifications to encourage job seekers to study and equip themselves to meet the demand – and this childcare qualification is among them.
In 2024, people in Queensland can continue to study the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care with Collaboration Learning at a low cost. Enquire today and see how much you can save by enrolling on a course!
How Many Units are in the Certificate III Early Childhood Education and Care?
To gain a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, students must successfully complete 17 units of competency – 15 core and 2 electives. Note that electives can vary between training providers.
CORE UNITS
- CHCECE055 Meet legal and ethical obligations in children’s education and care
- CHCECE056 Work effectively in children’s care and education
- CHCECE030 Support inclusion and diversity
- CHCECE054 Encourage understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ culture
- CHCPRT001 Identify and respond to children and young people at risk
- HLTWHS001 Participate in workplace health and safety
- HLTAID012 Provide first aid in an education and care setting
- CHCECE031 Support children’s health, safety and wellbeing
- CHCECE032 Nurture babies and toddlers
- CHCECE033 Develop positive and respectful relationships with children
- CHCECE034 Use an approved learning framework to guide practice
- CHCECE035 Support the holistic learning and development of children
- CHCECE036 Provide experiences to support children’s play and learning
- CHCECE038 Observe children to inform practice
- CHCECE037 Support children to connect with their natural environment
ELECTIVE UNITS
- HLTFSE001 Follow basic food safety practices
- CHCPRP003 Reflect on and improve own professional practice
Does the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care Require Work Placement?
In addition to completing all the course units, students must undertake at least 160 working hours with a regulated childcare services provider for children aged 0-6. During their work placement, a staff member trained to a minimum Diploma level must supervise the student at all times.
Students are given a booklet outlining all the tasks to complete while on placement. An assessor then observes the student to measure their ability to perform the necessary skills effectively.
Learn more about Placements with Collaboration Learning
What Jobs Can You Do with a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care?
Once you have successfully completed your certificate, you will be equipped to work in the childcare industry in one of the following roles:
- Early Childhood Educator
- Family Day Care Educator
- Nanny
- Outside School Hours Care Educator
- Playgroup Supervisor
Career progression into supervisory or managerial roles is also an option after gaining industry experience and taking further qualifications, such as the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.
Study the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education with Queensland’s leading RTO, Collaboration Learning.
Enjoy funded courses, flexible study and industry expert trainers.
Start your future career in childhood education today!
