CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
CRICOS Course Code | 107418G
Course Overview
As the entry-level qualification for the Early Childhood industry, our Early Childhood Education and Care Courses provides students with a great foundation for a meaningful career path.
In this course, students learn to support children’s well-being and development in the context of an approved learning framework. Students will develop a range of skills and knowledge using discretion and judgment when carrying out their work in the context of established organisational policies and procedures.
Our focus on practical learning makes sure our graduates are job-ready. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to perform a role in a range of Early Childhood Education settings and have obtained the skills and knowledge to meet the requirements of the Education and Care Services National Regulations and the National Quality Standard.
Graduates will have extensive professional knowledge as well as the practical skills necessary to become an Early Childhood educator in either a centre-based service or in family daycare.
After successful completion of Certificate III, students will have the opportunity to continue their studies in the CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.
Course Outcomes
The program outcomes for this course are:
- Workers qualified at this level are primarily employed child care educators in an Early Learning Centre or Occasional Day centres in a centre-based role or as a Nanny.
- A study pathway to the CHC50121 – Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.
- Preparation for further study and vocational skills with development of study and research skills, language and literacy skills, communication skills, time management, planning and managing projects, interpersonal skills and the development of techniques.
Additional outcomes include the attainment of a First Aid Certificate.
1 Year Qualification
Learn on the job in an Australian Childcare Centre
Newly Developed Learner Resources
Quick Facts
QUALIFICATION ACHIEVED
CHC30121 – Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
CRICOS Course Code
107418G
CAMPUS LOCATIONS
Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney
DURATION
52 weeks
Full-time Training and Assessment
4 Terms X 10 weeks and 12 weeks of holidays
MODE
Classroom
JOB OUTCOMES
Long Day Care Worker
Family Day Care Worker
Occasional Care Worker
Qualified Nanny
Early Childhood Worker
Playgroup Supervisor
COURSE FEES

Modules
Prepare to work with children
Nurture and support Children
Understanding diversity, indigenous culture and safe practices
Work Placement
Units of Competency within the Course
Click here to download the Units of Competency for this course.
Entry Requirements - Skills, Knowledge and Experience
The learner group for this qualification are people wishing to gain a qualification in order to work with children in an approved ACECQA provider such as a registered Early Learning Centre, Occasional Day centre or as a Nanny. The learner group are those who require a structured, classroom-based program with significant practical experience.
This is an entry-level course and no previous skills or experience are necessary.
International students must:
- Be at least 18 years of age,
- Provide evidence of completing at least the equivalent of Australian Year 12,
- Successfully complete the Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) online test as per ALG’s Language, Literacy and Numeracy Requirements Factsheet,
- Meet English Language Entry Requirements as per ALG’s English Proficiency Requirements Factsheet
A prospective student does not need to provide evidence of an English test score with their application if one of the following applies:
- Prospective student is a citizen and holds a passport from UK, USA, Canada, NZ or Republic of Ireland.
- Prospective student has completed at least 5 years’ study in English in one or more of the following countries: Australia, UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, or the Republic of Ireland.
- Completed at least 6 months of a Certificate IV level course in an Australian RTO.
Please also note that if you are applying for more than one course with us, you will only need to complete the LLN online test once. Students returning to studies at ALG after a significant gap may be required to complete the LLN online test at the discretion of ALG.
Amount of Training, Volume of learning, Mode of Study and Course Expectations
The total Volume of Learning for this course is 1200 hours with a course duration of 52 weeks, including 40 weeks of training and assessment spread over 4 terms of 10 weeks each and 12 weeks of holidays.
This time includes both face-to-face and self-paced training and assessment.
Students are required to attend 14 hours of classroom training per week and complete structured self-study of 6 hours per week. This is a mandatory component of a student’s study and student’s attendance, and participation will be monitored. In week 10 of Term 2, 3 and 4 students will attend 20 hours of classroom training and assessment.
Unstructured Study/Homework is expected to be approximately 10 hours a week.
Australian Learning Group students will be required to complete 210 hours of work placement. Students are going on a 2-week work placement in Term 1, 2 and 3 and in their final term, they will attend 9 weeks of work placement.
Training and Assessment
Students will be provided with learning and assessment materials that they will use to develop their knowledge and understanding. All students will be provided with a range of learning support options and resources to help them achieve competency.
Australian Learning Group uses a range of techniques during face-to-face delivery including trainer presentations and demonstrations, individual tasks, case studies, research, role plays, practical demonstrations, and group work. The context of the simulated workplace environment will be incorporated into delivery methodologies and students will complete tasks to appropriate workplace standards.
Delivery methodologies employ terminology, equipment, resources, materials, contexts, practices, and activities associated with the business (or related) role in the workplace. In class, students can expect to sing, dance, create art and craft and simulate learning activities that will be put into practice in the workplace.
Because students learn best while applying their new skills in the workplace, the 210 hours of work placement provides students with the opportunity to further develop their skills. Time in class is provided following the work placement to allow students to work on their portfolios after gaining practical experience and while the experiences are fresh in their minds.
Work placement facilities will be provided with a list of activities that students are to complete in the workplace to develop their skills. Assessment will also be conducted in the workplace by the Australian Learning Group trainers and assessors.
Assessment Methods
Assessment will occur through a variety of methods, including projects incorporating role-plays, case studies, observations, and short answer questions. Assessment conditions will ensure a simulated workplace environment for classroom-based assessment.
Assessment tasks:
- Reflect on real-life work tasks.
- Are required to be performed within industry-standard timeframes as specified by assessors in relation to each task.
- Are assessed using assessment criteria that relate to the quality of work expected by the industry.
- Are performed to industry safety requirements as relevant.
- Utilise authentic workplace documentation.
- Require students to work with others as part of a team.
- Require students to plan and prioritise completing work tasks.
- Involve the use of standard, workplace equipment such as computers and software.
- Ensure that students are required to consider workplace constraints such as time and budgets
Training Locations
Your training will occur on campus and within the workplace. The work placement can be arranged by the College, or you may be able to nominate your own workplace (subject to approval). If the College is arranging your work placement, we will endeavour to find a workplace that is close to your campus (subject to availability).
Student Support
The primary learning support comes from our Student Experience Team and from our Trainers and Assessors.
Student Experience Advisors offer support throughout a learner’s studies and can help with the following information:
- Support services
- LLN services (in collaboration with the Training and Assessment team)
- Legal services
- Emergency and health services
- Facilities and resources;
- Complaints and appeals processes
- Deferments
Additional sources of student services information available includes:
- Student Services Booklet
- ALG Student Handbook
- Online Student Centres – found on our websites
- Plus a variety of individual factsheets, flyers or electronic messages
Student Requirements
- Electronic Devices: All students are required to bring their own laptop or tablet device to participate in all theory classes. They are not provided for students. Refer to the BYOD Policy in the student handbook.
- Police Check: Students may be required to provide a clear and current national police check prior to the start of their work placement if the workplace employer requests one. The costs for a national police check is the responsibility of the student and are not included in course fees.
- Working with Children Check (WWCC): Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care and the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care students are required to have a current and valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) before the start of their work placement. More information about how to obtain a WWC will be provided on Induction Day. The student is required to cover the cost of obtaining the WWCC if any.
- Immunisations: It is recommended that learners have the following immunisations: hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (Chickenpox) and COVID-19 vaccination.
- Uniform: ALG provides learners on work placement with 2 polo shirts. Whilst on work placement students are required to provide at their cost, and wear, navy or black slacks/ trousers/skirt and enclosed flat-soled shoes (not sports runners).
- To maximise the chance of a student successfully completing their training, ALG attempts to identify any support individual learners need prior to their enrollment or commencement. Some of the ways to identify learning needs is to ask all prospective students to self-assess. So prior to enrolling please ensure
- i) you can meet all course requirements (listed in this course overview)
- ii) you nominate any learning needs they have prior to enrollment either by contacting us or on your application/enrolment forms and
- iii) consider booking a trial lesson if you have any doubts the course may not be suitable for you for an educational, cultural or other reason. Please refer to Section A3 of the student handbook for details.