Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
Start Their Future, Shape Yours
Course ID
CHC30121
Study Option
Full or Part-Time
How You'll Learn
Blended: Online & Workplace
How Long
Full-time: 52 weeks - 8 study hrs/week + 2 practical days/week Part-time: 104 weeks - 4 study hrs/week + 1 practical day/week
Practical Hours
Complete 160 hours in a regulated early childhood service in Australia - at your current centre if you’re working, or we can help you find a placement or paid position.
How Much
Scroll down to the How Much section to see the fees for your state.
CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
Interested in supporting the development of young minds? Does working in a childcare centre feel like the perfect fit for you? This certificate will open the door to the rewarding career you’re after.
Modelled around the role of educators in early childhood education and care in Australia, you’ll gain the skills to properly support children’s wellbeing and development. Upon completion, you’ll have the ability and confidence to work in a long day care centre, family day care, preschools or kindergartens.
Why choose this course?
Get job ready with hands-on experience and practical skills
Study you way with a mix of online learning and work-based delivery
In-demand qualification with strong employment prospects
Supportive trainers who know the sector inside out
Government funding may be available (check your eligibility using the form below)
Find the right info for you
Choose your state and we’ll show you the fees and the different funding options available.
Core skills for real-world success
You’ll graduate with strengths in:
Child Development
Understand how children grow, learn, and develop from birth to age five, and how to support them at each stage.
Program Planning
Learn how to design engaging, age-appropriate activities aligned with the Early Years Learning Framework.
Health & Safety
Promote a safe, healthy, and hygienic environment for children in your care.
Communication & Relationships
Build strong, respectful relationships with children, families, and colleagues in early learning settings.
Legal & Ethical Practice
Understand your responsibilities when working in regulated care environments, including child protection and privacy.
Work Placement Experience
Apply your knowledge in a real-world setting with hands-on experience in an approved childcare service.
Got questions? We’ve got answers.
Find quick answers to common questions about the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care. Need more help? Our team is here to support you — just reach out.
- People starting their career in early childhood education
- School leavers or career changers
- Those already working in a centre who need formal qualification
- Anyone wanting a nationally recognised Certificate III to meet ACECQA requirements
- Supporting behaviour and wellbeing
- Providing care routines and safe environments
- Child development and learning
- Cultural diversity and inclusion
- Workplace safety and legal obligations
- Child health and first aid (HLTAID012)
- Documentation, observation and planning
- Effective communication and teamwork
From this course, you'll learn how to:
- Support children’s health, safety, and wellbeing
- Foster and guide children’s play and learning
- Develop positive and respectful relationships with children and families
- Promote and support cultural competence and inclusion
- Implement approved learning frameworks
- Observe, document, and plan for children’s development
- Participate in workplace health and safety and legal compliance
- Qualified trainer support with regular workplace visits.
- Nationally recognised certificate
- Access to Canvas, our learning management system
- Practical experience through workplace hours (minimum 160 hours)
- No formal prior study needed
- Basic literacy, numeracy, and digital skills are required
- Access to a regulated education and care service to complete placement
- Access to computer and internet connection is essential for learning materials, assessments, and submissions
17 units
- CHCECE030 Support inclusion and diversity
- CHCECE031 Support children’s health, safety and wellbeing
- CHCECE032 Nurture babies and toddlers
- CHCECE033 Develop positive and respectful relationships with children
- CHCECE034 Use an approved learning framework to guide practice
- CHCECE035 Support the holistic learning and development of children
- CHCECE036 Provide experiences to support children’s play and learning
- CHCECE037 Support children to connect with the natural environment
- CHCECE038 Observe children to inform practice
- CHCECE054 Encourage understanding of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples’ cultures
- CHCECE055 Meet legal and ethical obligations in children’s education and care
- CHCECE056 Work effectively in children’s education and care
- CHCPRT001 Identify and respond to children and young people at risk
- HLTAID012 Provide First Aid in an education and care setting
- HLTWHS001 Participate in workplace health and safety
- CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people
- HLTFSE001 Follow basic food safety practices
It’s not like school — there are no exams. Skills are checked through quizzes, written tasks such as reports or reflections, projects like planning activities or events, role plays that practise real-life scenarios, workplace observations, and feedback from supervisors or mentors.
Depending on the location, state government programs may help cover training costs to make them cheaper or even free. Programs like Queensland Career Start, NSW Smart & Skilled, SA WorkReady, and traineeships provide this support.
For example, some or all course fees may be covered by government, funding which means paying less overall. To check eligibility for this funding, please scroll down.
If funding isn’t available, ACCCO offers flexible payment options, including:
- Credit card
- Direct debit
- Payment plans
- Early Childhood Educator
- Family Day Care Educator
- Nanny
- Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) Assistant
- Playgroup Supervisor
- Childcare Assistant / Childcare Worker
Finishing this course opens the door to starting the CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
ACCCO has been leading me through my Cert for the past 2 years. I couldn’t be more grateful!
Discover what sets ACCCO apart
Since 1996, we’ve been partnering with passionate individuals to help them reach their goals by gaining real-world skills, confidence and nationally recognised childcare qualifications.
Flexible learning
Balance work and life with tailored study options.
Expert guidance
Personalised training from experienced educators who share your passion.
Award-winning excellence
We take pride in our longstanding history of industry recognition.
We’re here to help
Whether you’ve got questions, are looking to enrol in a childcare course, or would like to speak to a training advisor; we’re ready when you are.
