Diploma
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.
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.
A working with children clearance 'Ochre Card' from SAFE NT will be required.
Under the Education and Care Services National Law (2011), the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) publishes lists of approved early childhood education and care qualifications and information regarding regulatory requirements here: www.acecqa.gov.au.
AFB: This is an approved Away From Base (AFB) 'mixed-mode' course. For further information about AFB see www.cdu.edu.au/afb
To ensure you have the right skills and support to succeed in your course, a Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LL&N) evaluation helps identify any areas where you may need additional support to help you achieve your goals.
To gain entry into CHC50121 Diploma of early Childhood Education and Care, candidates are required to:
Everyone employed or volunteering in child-related work is required by law to hold an Ochre Card. It will therefore, be a mandatory requirement to hold an Ochre card in order to complete any work placement. If you have not yet obtained an Ochre card, please contact SAFENT:
| Location | Darwin | Alice Springs |
| Ground Floor 37 Woods St, Darwin City | The Green Well Building 50 Bath Street, Alice Springs | |
| Phone | 1800 SAFE NT (1800 72 33 68) | 1800 SAFE NT (1800 72 33 68) |
| safent.police@pfes.nt.gov.au | safent.police@pfes.nt.gov.au | |
| Postal Address | PO Box 39764, Winnellie NT 0821 | PO Box 39764, Winnellie NT 0821 |
To achieve CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care a total of fifteen (15) units of competency must be completed comprising twelve (12) Core and three (3) Elective units as detailed in the packaging rules and listed below.
Occupations relevant to this qualification include:
>Early childhood educator
>Group leader
>Service director
>Preschool assistant
>Outside school hours educator/director
>Home based educator
>Nanny
>Support worker
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
RPL is the acknowledgement of a person's skills and knowledge acquired through previous training, work or life experience, which may be used to grant status or credit in a subject regardless of how and where they were attained, including overseas.This can include skills from:
RPL is a form of assessment. It is used to determine whether a person has acquired, through formal or informal learning, the skills and experience consistent with the stated competency standards that comprise a qualification. RPL is not time referenced, so there are no parameters on how or when the skills are acquired. However, the skills that have been acquired through life experience etc., must be current and must match the elements and performance criteria contained in the individual unit.
Students seeking RPL need to indicate this on their enrolment form at the time of enrolment.
For further information please refer to the Applicant's Guide to the Recognition of Prior Learning or contact Student Central on 1800 061 963 (free call) or email Student.Central@cdu.edu.au.
Credit Transfer
Charles Darwin University as a Registered Training Organisation recognises the Australian Qualifications Framework qualifications and Statement of Attainments issued by any other Australian Registered Training Organisation.
Students are encouraged to submit any requests for credit from previous studies at the time of enrolment, to ensure they are not enrolling in units they may not need to undertake.
In order to apply for exemption/credit transfer from units completed at another training organisation, you will need to complete an Application for Exemption Form available from any campus, centre, or team, or a copy of the form can be obtained from the web.
Your completed Application for Exemption form together with attached documentary evidence (certified copy of Qualification/Statement of Attainment) to support your request for exemption/credit transfer should be submitted directly to the University either in person or by mail. Requests without documentary evidence will not be processed and will be returned to students. There are no fees attached to Credit Transfers.