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

Discovery Course in Early Childhood Education and Care

Accredited units

  • (HLTAID012) Provide First Aid in an education and care setting
  • (HLTFSE001) Follow basic food safety practices

Course Overview

Are you interested in working with children and exploring a future career in Early Childhood Education and Care?

The Discovery Course for Early Childhood Education and Care is an introductory course for young people who want to learn more about working in the early childhood sector before committing to a full qualification.

This practical course introduces you to the everyday roles, responsibilities and skills involved in supporting children aged 0–6 years.

You will explore three important foundations of early childhood education and care: care, education and play. You will learn how educators support children’s safety, wellbeing, development and learning through practical activities and real-world examples.

The course combines classroom learning, practical activities, group discussions and an industry excursion to an Early Childhood Education and Care service. This gives you an opportunity to see how an early childhood service operates and better understand the daily work of educators.

You will also complete two nationally recognised units of competency. These units can contribute towards credit transfer if you later enrol in the CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.

Some students may use this pathway to secure a traineeship, allowing them to complete the full qualification while gaining real-world experience in the industry. Others may choose to explore different career options. In this case, you will receive a Statement of Attainment for the units you successfully complete.

If you are considering a career in child care or early childhood education, this course can help you explore the industry, build introductory skills and decide whether further study is right for you.

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:

  • The role of an early childhood educator
  • Different types of Early Childhood Education and Care services
  • Child safety, care and wellbeing
  • Respectful interactions with children
  • How children learn through play
  • Children's growth and development
  • Key developmental milestones
  • The role of play-based learning
  • Basic food safety practices
  • First aid in an education and care setting
  • Early childhood regulations and approved learning frameworks
  • Everyday practices within an Early Childhood Education and Care service

Course outcome

By the end of the course, you will have a stronger understanding of the Early Childhood Education and Care sector and the role of an educator. You will develop practical introductory skills and greater confidence to consider further study or employment pathways in early childhood education and care.

Upon successful completion, students will receive:

  • A Statement of Attainment for the two accredited units
  • A Certificate of Participation for the three introductory Early Childhood Education and Care modules

What is involved

Time commitment

The Discovery Course will run for 2 days per week over 8 week period.

All students will undertake face-to-face classes and most of the assessment activities will be completed during this time. A small amount of home study may be required to complete the requirements of the units.

Activities include:

  • Practical create-and-play experiences
  • Group discussions and collaborative activities
  • Scenario-based learning
  • Practical demonstrations
  • Reflection activities
  • Interactive online learning activities
  • An industry excursion to an Early Childhood Education and Care service

Assessment

Your assessments will help you demonstrate the knowledge and practical skills required for this course.

Assessment must:

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

For this course, assessment may include:

  • Written assessments and/or verbal assessments
  • Practical simulations and group role plays
  • Independent and/or group research and class presentations
  • Practical skills and observation assessments

Your trainer will let you know in advance when each assessment will take place.

Work placement

Work placement is not required for this introductory course.

However, students will take part in an excursion to an Early Childhood Education and Care service. The excursion provides real-world insight into how a service operates and what early childhood educators do each day.

What you need to know

This course is designed for young people interested in exploring employment or further study in Early Childhood Education and Care.

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.
  • No previous experience in Early Childhood Education and Care is required

What you need to provide

  • The course fee includes all course materials.
  • Please bring a notepad and pen.

Fees and government subsidies

The NSW Government's Adult and Community Education (ACE) Program provides affordable, local training and education to NSW communities. Under the ACE program, participants, employers, delivery partners and providers and the government collaborate to improve learning outcomes for learners and meet community training needs.

The ACE Program will also offer support to small business owners and their staff by providing fully subsidised accredited and non-accredited training in targeted courses in information technology, business services or foundation skills.

*Eligibility criteria apply. This training is fully 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.

  • Eligible for Subsidised Training: Fee-Free
  • Not Eligible for Subsidised Training: Price on Application

If you're a prospective student, employer or service provider please visit https://www.macquarie.nsw.edu.au/adult-and-community-education/ for more information where you will find everything you need to know about the ACE program before you enrol.

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

What you can do next

Study pathway

This introductory course can provide a pathway into the CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.

The two nationally recognised units completed during the Discovery Course may contribute towards credit transfer if you later enrol in the Certificate III, subject to MCC's normal credit transfer processes.

Career pathway

If you successfully complete the Discovery Course for Early Childhood Education and Care and decide to continue towards a career in child care, you can apply to study the CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.

During or after completing this qualification, you may be able to work in roles such as:

  • Child Care Assistant in a child care centre
  • Early Childhood Educator
  • Family Day Care Educator
  • In-Home Care Educator
  • Nanny

Class details

RTO 90033
Start Date22 October 2026
End Date11 December 2026
DaysThu, Fri
Time9.30am - 2.30pm
TutorJennifer Henderson
Location Chatswood Campus
Apply now

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