Planning Your Career in Childcare: How Long Does a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care Take?

Sage Education Australia > Blogs > Childcare Courses > Planning Your Career in Childcare: How Long Does a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care Take?

If you’re looking to start your next educational journey, there are many things to consider when searching for the right course.

Such as

  • What will you learn?
  • What job outcomes can you expect?
  • And, most importantly, how long will it take to finish your training and get employed?

At Sage Education, we work hard to understand your current situation and find a solution that works for you. Whether you’re just getting started or already employed, our team understand the best ways to help you succeed.

Many of our clients complete the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care course in under six months. Some may need longer. Whether you’re a busy parent, a full-time employee, or simply need some extra time to yourself, we will help you find a study plan that aligns with your schedule.

In this blog, we’ll explore how long you should expect to spend when studying for a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care course, what you’ll learn and what you need to do to get started.

We’ll also explore why studying with Sage Education is the best choice if you’re looking to secure employment fast once you finish your training.

What is a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care course?

The Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care course is a level 3 qualification designed for those interested in starting a career in the childcare industry.

The Certificate III course is the minimum requirement to work in early childhood services in Australia.

Anyone looking to work in the industry must complete this course (or an equivalent approved early childhood education course) to secure employment in the childcare industry.

During your course, you’ll learn how to:

  • Support children’s development, learning and play.
  • Create and implement a holistic curriculum that meets children’s diverse needs.
  • Foster diversity and inclusion for all children.
  • Build kind, respectful relationships with children of all ages.
  • Provide first aid in emergency situations.
  • Much, much more!

Once you graduate, you’ll be ready to start a rewarding career with countless professional growth opportunities. If you wish to advance your career, you can consider undertaking Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care course.

Our course is entirely self-paced online. This means you can work at your own pace, anytime you like, from wherever you are in the world.

How long will the course take with us?

We offer a flexible, streamlined version of the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care course.

Your instructor (yes, not recoded sessions) will deliver the course content over 30 weeks. This includes the 160 hours of vocational placement required to complete your training.

That said, every applicant is different. That’s why we’ll work with you to find a learning routine that fits your schedule. Whether you’re a full-time worker or need extra time for family commitments, we’ll help you build a study plan that works for you.

In total, you will have 12 months to complete the course from your start date.

Who is the course suited to?

This course is ideal for anyone interested in working in the childhood education and care sector. The industry is in huge demand with 100s of jobs advertised across Australia.

The course is ideal for anyone:

  • Looking for an entry path into a rewarding industry.
  • Interested in moving into the childcare industry after they finish their education.
  • That wants a change of career.
  • That wants to rejoin the workforce after a long time off.

What will I learn during the course?

Certificate III in ECEC contains a broad range of core modules and several elective units. Core modules are essential, meaning you must complete them to pass the course. Elective modules are entirely optional and offer specialised skills in niche areas.

Core units

There are 15 core modules as below.

CHCECE030 – Support inclusion and diversity

This module will provide you with the skills needed to understand your own biases, respect diversity and support children’s understanding of inclusion.

CHCECE031 – Support children’s health, safety and wellbeing

In this unit, you’ll learn how to promote the safety, wellbeing and health of children. You’ll learn how to encourage activity, play, healthy eating, quality sleep, and relaxation in line with a child’s individual requirements.

CHCECE032 – Nurture babies and toddlers

This unit will teach you the core skills you need to develop and nurture relationships with babies, toddlers, and their families, including how to provide individualised care to children with diverse needs.

CHCECE033 – Develop positive and respectful relationships with children

In this module, you’ll build an understanding of how to communicate effectively and respectfully with children. You’ll also learn how to guide behaviours in a way that supports a child’s agency.

CHCECE034 – Use an approved learning framework to guide practice

This module will teach you how to source, assess and use an approved learning framework to support children’s learning and development.

CHCECE035 – Support the holistic learning and development of children

In this unit, you’ll learn how to support children’s learning. You’ll also gain an understanding of the relationship between physical, emotional and social development within children.

CHCECE036 – Provide experiences to support children’s play and learning

This module provides the skills you need to set up, implement and review children’s play. You’ll learn how to create environments for play, recognise opportunities for learning, and encourage participation for children from all backgrounds.

CHCECE037 – Support children to connect with the natural environment

In this module, you’ll learn how to encourage children to connect with the natural world, including how to support children’s appreciation of the natural environment.

CHCECE038 – Observe children to inform practice

In this unit, you’ll learn how to gather data about children’s learning and development and how to use collected information to determine best practices.

CHCECE054 – Encourage understanding of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples’ cultures

In this module, you’ll learn how to identify, understand and nurture the diverse perspectives of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. You’ll build a valuable understanding of different cultures and use information gathered to embed inclusivity and culturally appropriate activities into your curriculum.

CHCECE055 – Meet legal and ethical obligations in children’s education and care

In this unit, you’ll learn how to meet legal and ethical obligations, recognise non-compliance and improve your practice in line with regulations.

CHCECE056 – Work effectively in children’s education and care

This module will teach you how to work effectively and respectfully in a children’s education and care setting. You’ll build an understanding of your key responsibilities and the ways they inform your daily procedures.

CHCPRT001 – Identify and respond to children and young people at risk

In this module, you’ll learn how to identify, support and protect children at risk in line with policy frameworks.

HLTAID012 – Provide an emergency first aid in an education and care setting

This unit will teach you the core skills and knowledge required to respond to an emergency situation and apply first aid procedures in an education and care setting. You’ll learn how to assess medical situations, provide CPR and follow appropriate workplace procedures.

HLTWHS001 – Participate in workplace health and safety

This module will provide you with the skills to participate in workplace health and safety. You’ll learn how to follow, implement, and reflect on safe working practices to maintain the safety of yourself and others.

2 Elective units

Our course features two optional modules that can provide you with specialist skills. Please note that our selection of electives changes regularly and may differ when you enrol.

CHCDIV001 – Work with diverse people

In this unit, you’ll learn how to build positive and respectful relationships with people from diverse social and cultural groups.

CHCPRP003 – Reflect on and improve own professional practice

This module will teach you the knowledge required to reflect on your own professional practice. You’ll learn how to undertake self-evaluation to enhance your own practice and how to review industry developments to facilitate your professional development.

What are the course entry requirements?

There are no formal entry requirements for the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care course. However, we require that you:

  • Are able to obtain a Working With Children check.
  • Are at least 15 years or older and have completed year nine or equivalent
  • Have fundamental literacy, language, and numeracy skills

In addition, to get the most out of your experience, we recommend that you:

  • Have access to a computer with stable, high-speed internet.
  • Are comfortable working both independently and collaboratively.
  • Are motivated to secure your vocational placement as soon as your commence your studies.

What job outcomes can I expect from the course?

Once you complete your training, we will help you find a relevant role in the childcare sector. Some of the jobs you could expect to secure include:

  • Early Childhood Educator
  • Childcare Assistant
  • Childcare Worker
  • Family Day Care Worker
  • Nanny
  • Recreation Assistant
  • Out-Of-School Hours Care (OSHC) Assistant
  • Curriculum Developer

Whatever your career objectives, we will work with you to assess your skill set and help you find a career that meets your needs.

Is government funding available for this course?

Unfortunately, we cannot offer a government subsidy for the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care course.

However, our cost is extremely competitive with unlimited trainer support to ensure you make most of your course.

Why should I study with Sage Education?

We are a customer-first registered training provider based in Australia. Since our launch in 1998, we’ve helped over 4000 graduates complete our course, build valuable job-ready skills, and start relevant careers in rewarding industries.

Whether you’re searching for your first employment opportunity, fancy a career change, or are looking to upskill for a leadership position, we have a range of courses to help you start the career of your dreams.

In addition to our nationally recognised Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care qualification, we also offer a range of accredited courses, including:

In addition to our world-class training, we also help all of our graduates secure employment once they finish their course.

In fact, over 80% of our graduates start their new career with one of Sage’s partner employers shortly after they gain their certification.

Childcare workers are in high demand across Australia, and employers are searching for qualified graduates to fill vacancies. There has never been a better time to start a new career with a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care course!

Want to learn more about our Certificate III course and how to enrol? Click here for details.

Still not sure which course pathway is right for you? Get in touch! We’re always on hand to talk through options, offer valuable advice and help you find a course that helps you reach your goals.

Copyright 2023 Sage Education Australia | All Rights Reserved