Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

The Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care at Rosehill College prepares you to work with children from birth to five years in long day care, preschools, family day care and occasional care. It's a two-year course, and the CRICOS code is 115439B. You'll learn how to plan and run a play-based curriculum, observe and document children's learning, keep them safe and well, and work with families and other services. Expect units on child development, curriculum planning, health and safety, inclusion and working legally and ethically in the sector.

How the course is structured

The diploma runs over two years. Like most Australian vocational qualifications, it's built from units of competency, and you'll study full-time across semesters or trimesters. Each unit carries credit points, and you need to complete all the required units to graduate. There's a strong practical component: you'll do work-integrated learning in a registered early childhood service, where you'll be supervised by qualified educators and assessed on the job. That placement is where you put the theory into practice and build the hours you need for registration.

What you'll actually learn

You'll learn how to design learning experiences that match each child's stage, how to support children with additional needs, how to respond to illness and injury, and how to communicate with families from different backgrounds. You'll also cover the National Quality Framework, the Early Years Learning Framework and the National Law and Regulations that govern early childhood services in Australia. By the end, you should be able to run a room, keep records, and work as part of a team.

Who it suits

This diploma suits people who want a hands-on career working with young children. You might be starting out, changing careers, or already working in the sector and wanting a formal qualification. It's also a pathway to further study, such as a bachelor degree in early childhood education, if you want to become a teacher. The course is delivered in Australia, and international students can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while studying. After graduating, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, which lets you stay and work in Australia. English requirements for international applicants are typically IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall, but teaching and nursing courses often require 7.0–7.5; check the official page for the exact requirement for this diploma. Tuition fees are published on the CRICOS register. Always confirm details on the official Rosehill College page or the CRICOS website.

• Early childhood educator in long day care centres, preschools and kindergartens
• Family day care educator running your own home-based service
• Room leader or lead educator overseeing a room and mentoring other staff
• Outside school hours care coordinator in before and after school programmes
• Nanny or in-home carer employed by families
• Education support worker in early intervention services

These roles are in demand across Australia, in metropolitan and regional areas. Employers include not-for-profit community services, private childcare chains, local councils, and government-funded preschools. The diploma also gives you credit towards a bachelor degree in early childhood education if you decide to go on to teaching.