Health, Education and Community Services

About the course

This Diploma will provide you with the skills and knowledge to provide care and meet the social, emotional, physical and educational needs of infants and young children in various care settings. You will learn about ethical work practices and legal requirements of the industry. You'll also gain advanced skills in care routines, working with families, observing and recording children's behaviour, working with culturally diverse clients and managing safety in the workplace.

As part of this qualification you will undertake a supervised work placement where you will be able to apply the skills and knowledge you have learned.

Be a part of a child's growth and development and help them learn in an environment that is engaging and supporting with a qualification in children's services. If you have a caring nature and good work ethic then this could be your perfect career. You will work closely with children aged 0-12 years from different backgrounds and cultures and provide care and support for them in various child care situations.

By studying children's services at Central you will be exposing yourself real life child care facilities and practices as well as experienced, industry trained lecturers who provide support and guidance throughout your studies.

View our brochure to see the career pathways for our children's services courses.

Where this course can lead you

By studying a children's services course at Central you could find yourself working in family or long day care, out of school hours care, occasional care, a crèche or playgroup. Employment prospects in this industry are good as there is a current shortage of qualified staff and you could find a job in your local area.

Your Diploma of Children's Services (Early Childhood Education and Care) prepares you for roles such as:

• Family or Long Day Carer

• Crèche Carer

• Playgroup Carer

• Child Care Assistant

• Play Group Assistant
  

Skills you will gain from this course

Central's children's services qualifications provide you with skills that are relevant to current industry trends and practices.

By the end of the course you will be able to:

• Undertake ethical work practices and the legal requirements of the child care industry

• Plan care routines

• Undertake child care activities

• Foster all aspects of a child's development

• Develop programs

• Work with families

• Observe and record children's behaviour

• Work with culturally diverse clients

• Manage safety in the workplace

Connected with industry

We ensure our industry partners are involved in the development of our courses and curriculum, so the skills you obtain are relevant in the workplace.

As a part of this qualification you will have the opportunity to take part in work placements, giving you real experience in the industry. This workplace experience often leads to employment at the completion of your training.  Not only do we work with a range of childcare centres to provide you with placement experience we have our own crèche on the Leederville campus. This crèche is staffed by our own lecturers and provides students with an opportunity to experience best practice children’s services.

At Central, our lecturers are highly qualified and experienced in working with children and families. So you'll be gaining the best learning possible from the people who have done exactly what you aim to do. Central's Children's Services lecturers keep up to date with the latest quality practices and will share these with you during your training.

If you already work in the industry our team of skilled lecturers can help you gain a qualification through Recognition of Prior Learning process.

University Pathways

Central’s university pathway arrangements mean your Diploma of Children's Services (Early childhood education and care) will provide you with the opportunity for direct entry and an advanced standing in a course at Curtin University course, Mursoch University and University and Southern Queensland.

Curtin University

Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education)
200 credits (33%)

Murdoch University

Bachelor of Education (early Childhood 0 - 8)

By completing this Diploma you will eligible to enter the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood 0-8) and will enter with 24 points of credit. This is approximately the first year of a four year course (students enrolling in Semester 2 may take longer due to unit availability).

The degree is available for study both internally and externally, allowing flexibility to fit with your lifestyle.

View more details about the degree here on Murdoch's website.

University of Southern Queensland

Bachelor of Science (Psychology)
Recognition of Prior Learning: 8 unspecified units.

Bachelor of Human Services
Recognition of Prior Learning: 1 specified unit (EDC1100 Lifespan Development and Learning), 3 electives and 4 unit minor.

Bachelor of Human Servcies (Counselling major)
Recognition of Prior Learning: 4 unspecified units.

Bachelor of Early Childhood, Bachelor of Eductaion (Early Childhood)
Recognition of Prior Learning: Up to 8 specified units (EDC2100 Managing Supportive Learning Environments, EDX1250 The Arts Curriculum and Pedagogy, EDX1170 Foundations of Language and Literacy, EDE2101 Early Childhood Education Contexts, EDE2010 Play and Pedagogy 1, EDE2201 Development and Learning: Birth to 8, EDE3009 Professional Practices in Early Childhood and EDE4010 Leadership, Management in Early Childhood).

Bachelor of Education (Primary)
Recognition of Prior Learning: 3 specified units (EDC2100 Managing Supportive Learning Environments, EDX1250 The Arts Curriculum and Pedegogy, EDX1170 Foundation of Language and Literacy) and up tp 5 unspecified units.

Bachelor of Education (Special Education)
Recognition of Prior Learning: 3 specified units (EDC2100 Managing Supportive Leaning Environments, EDX1250 The Arts Curriculum and Pedegogy, EDX1170 Foundations of Language and Literacy) and up to 1 unspecified unit.

Bachelor of Education (Secondary)
Recognition of Prior Learning: Up tp 2 unspecified units.

Bachelor of Science (Psychology)
Recognition of Prior Learning: 8 unspecified units.

Fee information

Domestic Students

This course is funded by the State government and so you do not have to pay any course or resource fees. There may be some costs for text books and other similar items.

International Students

This course costs $11000 for the year that the course takes to complete.

Course Structure

Available Groups

Title: GROUP 01 - ENTRY REQUIREMENTS UNITS

Description: To gain entry in to this qualification candidates must demonstrate competence through a recognised training program or recognition process, in the following units of competency

Title: GROUP 02 - CORE UNITS

Description: Central Institute of Technology offer the units listed below. Please note: previously completed units may count towards this qualification. Please discuss with the teaching area to determine eligibility.

Title: GROUP 03 - ELECTIVE UNITS

Description: Complete five (5) elective units. For Traineeships - Elective units are to be negotiated between Central Institute of Technology, employer and employee.

Apprenticeships and Traineeships

An apprenticeship or traineeship is a structured employment based training program that allows you to have a job and be paid while you learn. In most instances practical experience at work is combined with complementary off-the-job training provided by Central Institute of Technology. 

Apprenticeships lead to trade certification and nationally recognised qualifications.

Traineeships focus on entry level training in non-trade areas and lead to nationally-recognised qualifications. Some school based traineeships are available to year 11 and 12 students who combine part time work with secondary studies via an approved training schedule. Apprenticeships and Traineeships are not available as an option for  International students.

Please Note: The process for actually getting into an apprenticeship/traineeship (which involves finding an employer) is very different to the application process for normal study.  

Information for international students

Central is one of Australia's largest VET colleges, and trains around 1700 students from more than 85 countries each year. In 2010, we were the inaugural winner of Western Australia's International Training Provider of the Year award and were again given this award in 2011.

Our campuses are conveniently located near the centre of Perth's CBD, making them easy to access via public transport. Central boasts excellent, state of the art facilities and resources and a friendly, safe and secure learning environment.

As a graduate, you are ensured direct pathways to further qualifications at Western Australian universities, or alternatively, the job ready skills you need to succeed in your career straight away.

We offer a dedicated International Centre which is focused on servicing International students, helping you with your personal and academic needs. Staff offer friendly, specialised support and guidance from your initial contact through to your graduation, to ensure that your experience at Central is enjoyable and rewarding.

Visit our international pages to find out more about studying at Central and life in Perth.

Find out from international students about their experiences studying at Central.

Find out about applying to study at Central as an International student.

Courses available to international students at Central are delivered in partnership with Education and Training International RTO Provider No: 52395 CRICOS Provider Code: 00020G

Getting into this course

In order to gain entry into this course you must complete the Certificate III in Children's Services.

The Application Process

The process for applying for a course at Central depends on whether you are a local or international student and the way that you will be studying: full time, part time, as an apprentice or trainee.

Our future students area of the website includes a handy guide to help you through the process depending on what type of student you are, and how you are planning on studying.

Visit our apply, enrol and pay guide

Recognition of Prior Learning

Do you have existing skills? Whether obtained through paid or voluntary work, training or other experiences, you may be able to fast track your study by applying for recognition of prior learning, often referred to as RPL.

Find out more here