Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (Teacher Education: Early Childhood)

The Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care is a one-year qualification for people who want to work with children from birth to five years in Australian early learning services. You study how children grow and learn, how to plan and run a play-based curriculum, how to keep children safe and healthy, and how to work with families and communities. There is a strong practical focus: you learn to observe children, document their learning, and use those observations to plan experiences that match each child's stage and interests.

How the qualification is structured

As a diploma, this sits at the same AQF level as the first year of a bachelor degree, but it is vocational rather than academic. It is delivered over one year of full-time study, usually across two or three study periods depending on the provider's calendar. You complete units of study, each with a set number of credit points, covering areas such as child development, curriculum planning, health and safety, legal and ethical requirements, and working in partnership with families. Assessment is practical and applied: you write observations and learning stories, plan and lead experiences, and build a portfolio of your work.

Work placement and practical skills

Work-integrated learning is a core part of this diploma. You complete a professional placement in a registered early childhood service, where you work alongside qualified educators and are assessed on your ability to plan, implement and evaluate learning experiences. This is where you practise the skills employers look for: supervising children, responding to behaviour, communicating with families, following regulations and national quality standards, and working as part of a team. The placement hours are set by the training package and must be completed to gain the qualification.

Who it suits

This course suits people who want to start a career in early childhood education and care, or who already work in the sector and want to gain a formal qualification to move into a room leader or lead educator role. It is also a pathway to further study, such as a bachelor degree in early childhood education, with credit for prior learning often available. If you enjoy working with young children, are patient and observant, and want a qualification that leads directly to employment in Australian early learning services, this diploma is a practical place to start. Confirm entry requirements, English proficiency, tuition and intake dates on the official CRICOS register and with the provider before you apply.

• Early childhood educator in long day care, preschool or kindergarten services
• Room leader or lead educator responsible for planning and running a room
• Family day care educator running your own home-based service
• Outside school hours care educator in before and after school programmes
• Inclusion support worker assisting children with additional needs
• Education support worker in early learning settings

These roles are found across Australia in private and community-run early learning centres, preschools, kindergartens, family day care schemes, and out-of-school-hours care services. The diploma meets the qualification requirements for many educator and room leader positions under the National Quality Framework. Graduates may also continue to a bachelor degree in early childhood education with credit for prior study. International graduates may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, and while studying, the Student visa generally allows work of up to 48 hours per fortnight. Always check current visa conditions and provider requirements.