Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

The Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care at Rhodes International College is a vocational qualification for people who want to work directly with young children in Australian early learning services. Over 1.5 years you study how children grow and learn from birth to five, how to plan and run a play-based curriculum, how to keep children safe and healthy, and how to work with families and communities. You also learn the compliance side of the job, the National Quality Framework, the Early Years Learning Framework, and the regulations that govern childcare centres in Australia. Assessment is practical. You write observations of children, plan experiences, and reflect on what worked.

How the course is structured

Australian vocational diplomas are built from units of competency, each with a set number of credit points or nominal hours. You enrol in units across semesters or trimesters, and each unit covers a specific skill set, for example, supporting children's behaviour, working legally and ethically, or providing first aid. The diploma includes a mandatory work placement, usually around 240 hours in a registered early childhood service, where you work alongside educators and are assessed on the job. There is no thesis at diploma level; the capstone is your placement and the portfolio of observations and planning you build during it.

What you actually learn

You learn to observe children and document their learning, design indoor and outdoor experiences, manage routines like meals and rest, and respond to children who need extra support. You also learn to communicate with families, work within a team, and follow child protection and WHS requirements. By the end, you can walk into a room and run a program. You understand the difference between supervising children and educating them.

Who it suits

This diploma suits people who want to work in early childhood education and care in Australia, whether you are starting out or already working in the sector and want a formal qualification. It is also a pathway to further study, many graduates go on to a bachelor degree in early childhood education. English requirements for international students are typically IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall, though some institutions and registration bodies ask for higher. Confirm the exact entry requirements, tuition and intake dates on the official Rhodes International College page and the CRICOS register (course code 118637E). International students on a Student visa can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while studying, and may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) after completing their course.

• Early childhood educator, work in long day care, preschools, kindergartens and occasional care services across Australia.
• Room leader or lead educator, take responsibility for a room and mentor other educators, once you have some experience.
• Family day care educator, run your own licensed home-based service.
• Outside school hours care assistant, work in before and after school programs and vacation care.
• Education support worker, assist in early intervention services or inclusive programs for children with additional needs.

These roles are in demand across Australia, in metropolitan and regional areas. The diploma also gives you credit towards a bachelor degree in early childhood education if you want to become a registered early childhood teacher.