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Your gateway to a rewarding career in a growing industry
Early Childhood Education and Care is an expanding industry for those with a genuine interest and passion in the care and education of young children up to the age of 5 years. The childcare industry is demanding higher qualifications and training from educators in this field to ensure consistently high standards of education and care for children placed in these services. This can be achieved by completing the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.
You'll learn how to interact and foster the development of the children while working within legal requirements and ensuring the children's health and safety are not at risk.
As part of this qualification you will undertake a work placement where you will be able to apply the skills and knowledge you have learned.
You will work closely with children from different backgrounds and cultures and provide care and support for them in various child care situations.
North Metropolitan TAFE is offering early childhood training to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, visit First Nations Traineeship Program(opens in a new tab) for more information.
- First aid in an education and care setting
- Provide care for babies, toddlers and children
- Support the holistic development, play and learning of children in early childhood
- Use an approved learning framework and information about children to inform and guide practice
I have the following attributes:
- Enjoy working with children and able to to relate well to them
- Enthusiastic, tactful, patient and a sense of humor
- Calm, alert, observant and active
- Good problem-solving skills with ability to communicate simply and clearly
- A good fitness level to be able to lift children and child care equipment
Follow the link to find further information to help you make an informed choice about the suitability of this course.
This course remains FEE FREE in 2024! The course fees are 100 per cent subsidised by the WA State Government for WA residents.
Some eligibility conditions apply for the free training, and other fees may apply for some courses. Please see the FAQs on the Skills Ready page for further information.
* Please note that eligibility requirements apply to some of the free training.
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Entrance requirements
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Timetable
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Work placement
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Important information
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Job opportunities
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Further study
If this course is deemed competitive, you will be informed during your application via TAFE Admissions and additional entrance requirements will apply.
| School Leaver | Non-School Leaver | AQF |
|---|---|---|
| OLNA or NAPLAN 9 Band 8 | C Grades in Year 10 English and Maths or equivalent | Certificate I or Certificate II |
You'll be able to access your personal timetable (find out how on our Timetables page), once you have paid your fees. In the meantime the information below provides an indication of the time commitment required to complete this course, depending on available study options.
On campus delivery
A typical timetable runs over 4.5 days per week. This includes in class time and work placement (see Work placement tab for details).
Online delivery
Online delivery is part-time, self-paced with scheduled assessment submission dates, and can take you up to 3 semesters including work placement (see Work placement tab for details) to complete the qualification. This is the recommended time-frame.
There may be flexibility to complete sooner depending on other personal and professional commitments, please discuss this option with your lecturer.
At-home study
As well as the in-class component, you will need to complete approximately 10 hours of additional study each week outside of class hours, including private study, assignment preparation, and research. You will need to have the basic technical requirements for at-home study. If you don’t have access to a computer and WiFi at home, we recommend using our library computers during library hours.
This timetable information is indicative only and subject to change.
On campus delivery
At least 160 hours of work placement per semester is mandatory for completion of this 12 month (2 semesters) delivery.
A suitable work placement within industry will be arranged for you.
In order to undertake mandatory work placement, students over 18 must obtain the following:
- Working with Children Check (WWCC)
Online delivery
At least 160 hours of work placement in each of the first and second semesters of study and at least 90 hours in the third semester is mandatory for completion of this 18 month (3 semesters) delivery.
In order to undertake the mandatory work placement, students must
- attend a Work Placement orientation on campus prior to their placement
- obtain a Working With Children Check (WWCC) prior to their placement - Note, for students over the age of 18
Please be aware that COVID-19 vaccination is an employment requirement for many healthcare providers.
NMTAFE students undertaking work placements or who are required to attend a healthcare or community setting as part of their studies are advised to check directly with the healthcare provider regarding their policy settings around vaccination and proof of vaccination requirements.
Study outside of class hours, including private study, assignment preparation, and research will be required to successfully complete your course.
Bring your own device (BYOD) is encouraged but not essential.
If you don’t have access to a computer and WiFi at home, we recommend using our library computers during library hours.
As a student you will also have additional costs associated with your study, for example text books and stationery, printing and other materials required for your assignments.
Additional costs
**Please note one of the units required to achieve this qualification, HLTAID012 Provide First Aid in an education and care setting is not offered within the Early Childhood Education and Care Online Study area at North Metropolitan TAFE. You will need to complete this unit with a recognised First Aid training provider such as St John Ambulance and provide evidence of completion to gain credit for the unit. **
Online study will require you to purchase additional resources at an approximate cost of $100.00.
Please be aware that COVID-19 vaccination is an employment requirement for many healthcare providers.
NMTAFE students undertaking work placements or who are required to attend a healthcare or community setting as part of their studies are advised to check directly with the healthcare provider regarding their policy settings around vaccination and proof of vaccination requirements.
Other job titles may include:
- Early childhood educator
- Playgroup supervisor
- Recreation assistant
- Childhood Educator
- Childhood educator assistant
Please note this list should be used as a guide only as job titles and qualification requirements may vary between organisations.
Visit one of our four Jobs and Skills Centres located at NMT's Balga, Joondalup, Midland and Perth campuses for free career planning advice and job search support.
Study options and next steps
Click on your preferred option below to get started with your application.
Semester 1, 2024
Joondalup (Kendrew Crescent) - On Campus
| Duration | 2 Semesters | ||||||||
| When | Semester 1, 2024 | ||||||||
| Where | Joondalup (Kendrew Crescent) | ||||||||
| How | On campus | ||||||||
| Course fee |
|
Free training
The free training is available to residents of Western Australia, and eligibility requirements apply to some of the free training, as outlined on the Free job ready skill sets page and the Infection control training page. Tuition and resource fees will apply for non-eligible students.
Enquiries regarding course fees can be made by calling us.
*Fee disclaimers
The fees quoted are estimates only and are for the entire course for students enrolling on a full-time basis. Please view the full list of Fee disclaimers.
Please note fees listed include all units required to gain this qualification. If you're a continuing student and have successfully completed a lower-level qualification that is a prerequisite for this course, you'll only pay for the units that you need to enrol in, to complete this course.
Enquiries regarding fees can be made by calling us.
Midland - On Campus
| Duration | 2 Semesters | ||||||||
| When | Semester 1, 2024 | ||||||||
| Where | Midland | ||||||||
| How | On campus | ||||||||
| Course fee |
|
Free training
The free training is available to residents of Western Australia, and eligibility requirements apply to some of the free training, as outlined on the Free job ready skill sets page and the Infection control training page. Tuition and resource fees will apply for non-eligible students.
Enquiries regarding course fees can be made by calling us.
*Fee disclaimers
The fees quoted are estimates only and are for the entire course for students enrolling on a full-time basis. Please view the full list of Fee disclaimers.
Please note fees listed include all units required to gain this qualification. If you're a continuing student and have successfully completed a lower-level qualification that is a prerequisite for this course, you'll only pay for the units that you need to enrol in, to complete this course.
Enquiries regarding fees can be made by calling us.
Leederville - On Campus
| Duration | 2 Semesters | ||||||||
| When | Semester 1, 2024 | ||||||||
| Where | Leederville | ||||||||
| How | On campus | ||||||||
| Course fee |
|
Free training
The free training is available to residents of Western Australia, and eligibility requirements apply to some of the free training, as outlined on the Free job ready skill sets page and the Infection control training page. Tuition and resource fees will apply for non-eligible students.
Enquiries regarding course fees can be made by calling us.
*Fee disclaimers
The fees quoted are estimates only and are for the entire course for students enrolling on a full-time basis. Please view the full list of Fee disclaimers.
Please note fees listed include all units required to gain this qualification. If you're a continuing student and have successfully completed a lower-level qualification that is a prerequisite for this course, you'll only pay for the units that you need to enrol in, to complete this course.
Enquiries regarding fees can be made by calling us.
Leederville - Online
| Duration | 3 Semesters | ||||||||
| When | Semester 1, 2024 | ||||||||
| Where | Leederville | ||||||||
| How | Online | ||||||||
| Course fee |
|
Free training
The free training is available to residents of Western Australia, and eligibility requirements apply to some of the free training, as outlined on the Free job ready skill sets page and the Infection control training page. Tuition and resource fees will apply for non-eligible students.
Enquiries regarding course fees can be made by calling us.
*Fee disclaimers
The fees quoted are estimates only and are for the entire course for students enrolling on a full-time basis. Please view the full list of Fee disclaimers.
Please note fees listed include all units required to gain this qualification. If you're a continuing student and have successfully completed a lower-level qualification that is a prerequisite for this course, you'll only pay for the units that you need to enrol in, to complete this course.
Enquiries regarding fees can be made by calling us.
Continuous enrolment, 2023
Leederville - Workbased
| Duration | 2 Years | ||||||||
| When | Continuous enrolment, 2023 | ||||||||
| Where | Leederville | ||||||||
| How | Employer-based | ||||||||
| Course fee |
|
Free training
The free training is available to residents of Western Australia, and eligibility requirements apply to some of the free training, as outlined on the Free job ready skill sets page and the Infection control training page. Tuition and resource fees will apply for non-eligible students.
Enquiries regarding course fees can be made by calling us.
*Fee disclaimers
The fees quoted are estimates only and are for the entire course for students enrolling on a full-time basis. Please view the full list of Fee disclaimers.
Please note fees listed include all units required to gain this qualification. If you're a continuing student and have successfully completed a lower-level qualification that is a prerequisite for this course, you'll only pay for the units that you need to enrol in, to complete this course.
Enquiries regarding fees can be made by calling us.
Leederville - Trainee
| Duration | 2 Years | ||||||||
| When | Continuous enrolment, 2023 | ||||||||
| Where | Leederville | ||||||||
| How | Traineeship | ||||||||
| Course fee |
|
Free training
The free training is available to residents of Western Australia, and eligibility requirements apply to some of the free training, as outlined on the Free job ready skill sets page and the Infection control training page. Tuition and resource fees will apply for non-eligible students.
Enquiries regarding course fees can be made by calling us.
*Fee disclaimers
The fees quoted are estimates only and are for the entire course for students enrolling on a full-time basis. Please view the full list of Fee disclaimers.
Please note fees listed include all units required to gain this qualification. If you're a continuing student and have successfully completed a lower-level qualification that is a prerequisite for this course, you'll only pay for the units that you need to enrol in, to complete this course.
Enquiries regarding fees can be made by calling us.
Semester 2, 2023
Joondalup (Kendrew Crescent) - On Campus
| Duration | 2 Semesters | ||||||||
| When | Semester 2, 2023 | ||||||||
| Where | Joondalup (Kendrew Crescent) | ||||||||
| How | On campus | ||||||||
| Course fee |
|
Free training
The free training is available to residents of Western Australia, and eligibility requirements apply to some of the free training, as outlined on the Free job ready skill sets page and the Infection control training page. Tuition and resource fees will apply for non-eligible students.
Enquiries regarding course fees can be made by calling us.
*Fee disclaimers
The fees quoted are estimates only and are for the entire course for students enrolling on a full-time basis. Please view the full list of Fee disclaimers.
Please note fees listed include all units required to gain this qualification. If you're a continuing student and have successfully completed a lower-level qualification that is a prerequisite for this course, you'll only pay for the units that you need to enrol in, to complete this course.
Enquiries regarding fees can be made by calling us.
Leederville - On Campus
| Duration | 2 Semesters | ||||||||
| When | Semester 2, 2023 | ||||||||
| Where | Leederville | ||||||||
| How | On campus | ||||||||
| Course fee |
|
Free training
The free training is available to residents of Western Australia, and eligibility requirements apply to some of the free training, as outlined on the Free job ready skill sets page and the Infection control training page. Tuition and resource fees will apply for non-eligible students.
Enquiries regarding course fees can be made by calling us.
*Fee disclaimers
The fees quoted are estimates only and are for the entire course for students enrolling on a full-time basis. Please view the full list of Fee disclaimers.
Please note fees listed include all units required to gain this qualification. If you're a continuing student and have successfully completed a lower-level qualification that is a prerequisite for this course, you'll only pay for the units that you need to enrol in, to complete this course.
Enquiries regarding fees can be made by calling us.
Leederville - Online
| Duration | 3 Semesters | ||||||||
| When | Semester 2, 2023 | ||||||||
| Where | Leederville | ||||||||
| How | Online | ||||||||
| Course fee |
|
Free training
The free training is available to residents of Western Australia, and eligibility requirements apply to some of the free training, as outlined on the Free job ready skill sets page and the Infection control training page. Tuition and resource fees will apply for non-eligible students.
Enquiries regarding course fees can be made by calling us.
*Fee disclaimers
The fees quoted are estimates only and are for the entire course for students enrolling on a full-time basis. Please view the full list of Fee disclaimers.
Please note fees listed include all units required to gain this qualification. If you're a continuing student and have successfully completed a lower-level qualification that is a prerequisite for this course, you'll only pay for the units that you need to enrol in, to complete this course.
Enquiries regarding fees can be made by calling us.
Get help
This form is only for course enquiries. If you would like to apply, please refer to the Study options and next steps section above.