What you will learn
What is involved
What you need to know
What you can do next
CHC30121

Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

Core unit components

  • (CHCECE030) Support inclusion and diversity
  • (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
  • (CHCECE037) Support children to connect with the natural environment
  • (CHCECE038) Observe children to inform practice
  • (CHCECE054) Encourage understanding of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples‚ cultures
  • (CHCECE055) Meet legal and ethical obligations in children’s education and care
  • (CHCECE056) Work effectively in children’s education and care
  • (CHCPRT001) Identify and respond to children and young people at risk
  • (HLTAID012) Provide First Aid in an education and care setting
  • (HLTWHS001) Participate in workplace health and safety

Elective unit components

Course Overview

This course provides you with the knowledge, skills and qualification to work with children in a variety of roles and settings such as preschools, long day care services, child care centres and family day care.

If you have a love for children and are wanting to make a meaningful impact on their development, choosing a career in Child Care may be a great move for you! As the Australian Child Care industry continues to grow, it is proving to be one of the safest and most rewarding career options to choose from today.

This course will provide you with the insight and understanding of how a child’s mind and body works and the developmental milestones a child reaches. It also provides you with all the information you need to work in the early childhood industry in Australia, including Australian law, regulations and the peak government agencies.

Macquarie Community College operates from a range of venues across Northern and Western Sydney. We have campuses in Blacktown, Carlingford, Chatswood, Epping, Mt Druitt, Richmond and Ryde. Enrol now!

Learn more about this course

What you will learn

Course outline

In this course, you will learn:

  • Health and safety
  • Legal and ethical frameworks
  • Child protection
  • Child development
  • First aid
  • Documenting children’s learning
  • Providing healthy food and drink for children
  • Support children’s learning and play
  • Relationships with children and families

Course outcome

At the end of the course, you will be able to confidently care for children aged 0-6 years focusing on the child’s overall health, education and development. You will be able to provide support for children and their families as needed.

You will be issued a CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care where competency has been achieved.

What is involved

Time commitment

The time required to complete the CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care will depend on the level of experience that students have prior to the course and the amount of hours of self-paced study they need to complete.

All students will undertake face-to-face or online Zoom, home study and 160 hours work placement. The amount of home study required is approximately 15 hours per week, but may vary depending on the experience of the student and is in addition to face-to-face or online Zoom training hours.

Assessment

Assessment (including recognition of prior learning) must:

  • Meet the requirements of the relevant training package or accredited course, and
  • Be conducted in accordance with the principles of assessment and the rules of evidence, and
  • Meet workplace and, where relevant, regulatory requirements.

For this course assessment will entail the following:

  • Written assessments and/or verbal assessments
  • Practical simulation and group role play
  • Independent and/or group research and class presentation
  • Work placement practical skills and observations assessment

You will be informed when assessments are to take place.

Work placement

Students are required to complete 160 hours of work placement in a regulated Early Childhood Education and Care facility, where you will work as a volunteer student during work placement.

Please note: The practical workplace component is scheduled at various stages through the course.

Before commencing work placement, you will be required to obtain one or all of the following which will be confirmed during the enrolment process and at your course induction. If required Macquarie Community College will assist you with this application process.

  • A current Working with Children check (free of charge for volunteers)
  • An up to date vaccination record (possible GP or vaccination costs)
  • Suitable work placement clothing is required. i.e., black pants, polo shirt and leather (or leather like) fully enclosed shoes with non-slip soles.

What you need to know

Entry requirements

  • An appropriate level of language, literacy and numeracy (LLN) skills is required to enrol in this course. Macquarie Community College may conduct an LLN assessment as part of the pre enrolment process.
  • Obtain a Working with Children Check (WWCC)
  • NSW Vaccination record

What you need to provide

  • All course material is provided and inclusive with course fees
  • Notepad and pen

For remote learning online Zoom classes you will need access to the internet and a computer, laptop or tablet in order to participate.

Fees and government subsidies

Smart and Skilled provides government-subsidised training and higher-level courses to help you get skills to find a job and advance your career.

If you're a prospective student, please visit: https://www.macquarie.nsw.edu.au/smart-and-skilled/ where you will find everything you need to know about the Smart and Skilled program before you enrol.

*Eligibility criteria apply. This training is subsidised by the NSW Government, and as a result your fee is determined through Training Services NSW formal eligibility criteria.

Students will need to supply the required evidence in accord with the requirements of Smart and Skilled eligibility.

Not eligible for Subsidised Training: $9,790

Contact us today or call on 1300 845 888 to check your eligibility.

What you can do next

Career pathway

Upon completion of the CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, you may be able to undertake roles such as:

  • Child Care Assistant in a child care centre
  • Early childhood Educator
  • Family day care Educator
  • In home care Educator
  • Nanny

Study pathway

Upon completion of this course, you can study the CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.

Coming soon

There are currently no classes scheduled for this course.

Please check back later as classes are added regularly or get in touch for more information.

Contact us

Fees & Government Subsidies

At Macquarie Community College, we create and provide affordable and inclusive learning opportunities that meet the needs of individuals, organisations and communities.

Given the broad range of accredited and non-accredited programs offered by the College the fees and subsidies will vary depending on the course.

Fee for Service Courses 

Courses available on a fee-for-service basis will have the price clearly indicated within the class details. Additional fee information may also be found in the ‘’what you need to provide’’ section of the course details.

Funded Courses

Macquarie Community College delivers NSW government subsidised training, including training under the Smart and Skilled and Adult and Community Education (ACE) programs.

To access government subsidised training, including fee exemptions or concessions, you must meet the following criteria:

  • aged 15 years or older
  • no longer be at school
  • living or working in NSW
  • Australian OR New Zealand Citizen, Australian Permanent Resident OR a Humanitarian Visa Holder, OR a Partner Visa Holder whose sponsor is a current or past Humanitarian Visa Holder

When you enrol in a NSW government subsidised course you will be required to pay the Smart and Skilled student fee unless you qualify for a fee exemption.

For further information on NSW government subsidies visit the below funding pages.

Adult and Community Education 

Smart and Skilled 

Traineeships

NSW Fee Free Training 

Credit Transfer

Am I Eligible for Credit Transfers?

Credit Transfer (CT) is granted as a result of identifying learning outcomes already achieved through formal training. Credit outcomes may allow for entry into a qualification and/or provide credit towards the qualification. Credit Transfer given may reduce the time required for you to achieve the qualification.

To apply for Credit Transfer you will need to provide original or certified copies of certificates previously attained through formal training prior to completing the enrolment process.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is granted as a result of identifying and assessing previous and current informal education and training, work experience and/or life experience and knowledge. Previous learning and the evidence supplied is measured against pre-determined performance standards contained within the Units of Competency.

To apply for recognition of prior learning you should indicate your decision to apply for recognition as soon as possible after enrolment and the induction program.

We will be happy to provide you with an RPL kit after speaking directly with you to ensure you understand the requirements of this process.

Delivery Mode

To meet the needs of our students Macquarie Community College balances delivery and engagement across permanent, regular and temporary delivery sites and offer face-to-face, remote zoom classes and self-paced learning options.

Ways to Study

  • On campus

Our college campus locations are:

    • Blacktown
    • Chatswood
    • Carlingford
    • Epping
    • Ryde
    • Mt Druitt
  • Virtual classroom
  • Complete workplace training
  • Combine ways to study

FAQ

How you got questions? Please see our comprehensive FAQ page for everything you need to know about Macquarie Community College, our policies, student support, application and enrolment procedures.

How to Apply

Step 1 - Apply

  • Select your preferred course and class
  • Review course and fee subsidy requirements to check your eligibility
  • If you need help contact us via livechat or via contact us form
  • Click Apply now

Step 2 - Assessment / Enrolment

  • We will assess your application and make contact within 2 business days
  • You will be asked to complete a language, literacy & numeracy assessment
  • Complete enrolment form
  • Provide all required evidence and/or documents

Step 3 - Start Learning

Following submitting your enrolment form and documents you will receive:

  • An enrolment confirmation
  • Tax invoice / payment plan details (if relevant)
  • A course reminder prior to your classes starting
  • A Zoom link (Online Zoom classes only)
  • A student login to your learning portal if relevant