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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Certificate 3 in Early Childhood Education and Care

Happy Mother with her Child

Job Opportunities and Prospects may include:

  • Early Childhood Educator 

  • Outside school hours care assistant

  • Family daycare worker 

  • Nanny
     

Once you have gained your qualification, you can move into a higher role such as a Room Leader.

Vocational Placement:

How many hours?

Students must complete a minimum of 120 workplace hours in a regulated children’s service. It is recommended that 30 workplace hours be allocated to working specifically with children under 24 months. We can help you find a centre that offers placement with children 0-2 years.

Child Doing Art Activity
Super Hero Kids

Vocational Placement:

Is it mandatory?

Yes. To gain this qualification you must complete all hours and work with all ages from 0-5 years.

Happy Children

Am I eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning?

All individual students are offered the opportunity to apply for RPL.

Happy Children
Clicking on a Tablet

Where can I get my resources?

We supply you with all of your learning resources.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions for Work-Based Students
 

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Do I have to pay monthly?
 

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Upgrade to a Diploma of Early Childhood Education
 

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Happy Children

How long is it to complete the course?

52 weeks is allowed to complete the course. The course is structured in 48 weeks however there are an additional 4 weeks to finalise or resubmit if needed.

Extensions are provided for free, the first 3 months after your course completion.

Kids Playing with Chalk
Kid Piling Blocks

What are my entry requirements?

  • Students must provide a current Working with Children Check. Apply online:                    https://www.kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au;

  • Must be the age of 16 or over and an Australian citizen or hold a permanent resident visa;

  • Provide a valid USI (Unique Student Identifier);

  • Complete a Language, Literacy and Numeracy assessment before commencement of the course;

  • Traineeship:  The student is required to be currently working, or commence permanent full-time or part-time employment in a regulated Early Childhood Setting to complete a Traineeship (conditions apply);

  • Self-funded:  The student has no required employment conditions and may be in full-time, part-time, casual employment or work on a volunteer basis in an Early Childhood Setting and have an agreement with the service to complete their 120 hour compulsory work placement.  

Happy Children

How do your trainers help?

We want to be there for you as much as we can. We want our students to feel supported and have confidence in asking us when they need help, whether this be for their assignments or on the job tasks. We offer online weekly meetups via zoom, making us easily accessible. 

Young Kids in Class
A Boy and His Tablet Device

What do you mean by face to face support?

We want to be as hands on as possible. This means more time spent in your workplace and offering weekly meetups either online via zoom or in person.

Happy Children

How often do you visit the workplace?

We will visit our students roughly every 6-8 weeks. This is where your trainer will observe you on the job and mark your assessments. Coming more often allows your trainer to give you on the job feedback, support and guidance.

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During COVID, this has ceased most visit's in centre's but we still check in with you and your centre frequently to make sure you are supported and achieving your tasks. 

Children Reading the Holy Bible
Jar of Coins

Do I have to pay monthly?

No, you don’t have to pay monthly. If you pay upfront it will non refundable after the cooling off period. You have different payment options available in your course information booklet.

Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care

Happy Children

Job Opportunities and Prospects may include:

With this qualification you can apply to enter the industry as an Early Childhood Educator or Family Day Care Educator. Once you have gained knowledge and confidence through work experience, this qualification will allow you to progress into jobs such as a Child Care Group Leader and a Centre Manager.  
 

The National Quality Standards state that:

  • At least half of all educators in a long day care or preschool facility need to hold (or be actively working towards) a Diploma-level qualification or higher

  • All family day care coordinators must hold a Diploma-level qualification or higher

Kids Playing Treasure Hunt
Teacher and Kids in Library

Vocational Placement:

How many hours?

Students must complete a minimum of 240 workplace hours in a regulated children’s service. It is recommended that 30 workplace hours be allocated to working specifically with children under 24 months. We can help you find a centre that offers placement with children 0-2 years.

Vocational Placement:

Is it mandatory?

Yes. To gain this qualification you must complete all hours and work with all ages from 0-5 years.

Kids in Art Class
Happy Children
Three Cute Kids

Am I eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning?

All individual students are offered the opportunity to apply for RPL.

Where can I get my resources?

We supply all of your learning resources. 

Smiling Girl with Book
Happy Children
Boy and sister

How long is it to complete the course?

100 weeks is allowed to complete the course. The course is structured in 96 weeks however there are an additional 4 weeks to finalise or resubmit if needed.

Extensions are provided for free, the first 3 months after your course completion.

What are my entry requirements?

  • Students must provide a current Working with Children Check. Apply online:                    https://www.kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au;

  • Must be the age of 16 or over and an Australian citizen or hold a permanent resident visa;

  • Provide a valid USI (Unique Student Identifier);

  • Complete a Language, Literacy and Numeracy assessment before commencement of the course;

  • Traineeship:  The student is required to be currently working, or commence permanent full-time or part-time employment in a regulated Early Childhood Setting to complete a Traineeship (conditions apply);

  • Self-funded:  The student has no required employment conditions and may be in full-time, part-time, casual employment or work on a volunteer basis in an Early Childhood Setting and have an agreement with the service to complete their 240 hour compulsory work placement.  

Teacher and Students in Science Class
Happy Children
Child Activity

Do I need a Certificate 3 in Early Childhood Education and Care to do the Diploma traineeship or self funded?

No, this is not required.

When completing a Diploma traineeship,

you must be working in the industry.

Happy Children

How do your trainers help?

We want to be there for you as much as we can. We want our students to feel supported and have confidence in asking us when they need help, whether this be for their assignments or on the job tasks. We offer weekly online meetups, via a zoom group meeting, making us easily accessible. 

Teacher with Pupils
Mother and Child

What do you mean by face to face support?

We want to be as hands on as possible. This means more time spent in your workplace and offering weekly meetups either online via zoom or in person.

Happy Children

How often do you visit the workplace?

We will visit our students roughly every 6-8 weeks. This is where your trainer will observe you on the job and mark your assessments. Coming more often allows your trainer to give you on the job feedback, support and guidance.

​

During COVID, this has ceased most visit's in centre's but we still check in with you and your centre frequently to make sure you are supported and achieving your tasks.

First Day of Kindergarten
Children

Do I have to pay monthly?

No, you don’t have to pay monthly. If you pay upfront it will non refundable after the cooling off period. You have different payment options available in your course information booklet.

Upgrade to a Diploma of Early Childhood Education

Happy Children

What do you mean by 'Upgrade in a year'?

If you have completed your Certificate 3  you can upgrade to a Diploma in one year.

 

We will hold weekly group meetups online and guide you through your Diploma and make sure you receive all the help you need.


It’s a great way to achieve your goal; gain your qualification quicker knowing you will receive hands on trainers and consistent support.

Young Students
Happy Children
Gardening Lesson

Will you still be visiting our workplace during the upgrade? 

Yes, we will still visit you at your work placement roughly every 8 weeks.

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During COVID, this has ceased most visit's in centre's but we still check in with you and your centre frequently to make sure you are supported and achieving your tasks.

Short Course and Professional Development

Happy Children

How many people to hold one of these courses?

There needs to be a minimum of 5 people attending when held at a centre and minimum of 3 people attending when held via zoom. 

Art Fun
Happy Children
Children in School Bus

Do you come to us?

Yes, we can come to your centre if it is located in Greater Sydney or alternatively we can do it online via zoom. 

Happy Children

Can we receive a discount?

Yes. If you have 10 or more people attending the course, you will receive a 10% discount.

Kid Playing with Bubble
Happy Children
Children in School Bus

Do we receive a certificate at the end of our course?

Yes. Each participant will receive a Statement of Attendance.

Are you ready for the career you love?

Talk with our friendly team about the course best suited for you

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