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Early Childhood Education & Care Courses

Make a difference in a child’s life.

If you’re comparing early childhood education and care courses, this page will help you quickly understand the difference between the Certificate III, Diploma, and Dual Qualification pathways, including course codes, typical duration, work placement hours, study mode, and the types of roles each pathway can lead to. Early childhood educators support the social, emotional, physical, and learning needs of infants and young children, and qualified educators are in demand across Australia.

View All Our Early Childhood Education & Care Courses

CHC30125
Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

Quick Look

COURSE CODE:
CHC30125

Learning Method
Online

Duration
12 months (with the ability to complete sooner)

Work Placement
160 hours’ minimum

Training delivered by
Kirana Colleges Registered Training Organisation, Maxis Solutions Pty Ltd RTO ID 91428

Payment Options
Start your course from $52/week

Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

100% STUDY ONLINE

FLEXIBLE PAYMENT OPTIONS

STUDENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

WORK PLACEMENT ASSISTANCE

DEDICATED TRAINER SUPPORT

NATIONALLY RECOGNISED TRAINING

Get started in early childhood education and care with the CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, a nationally recognised qualification. Educators are expected to hold, or be actively working towards, an approved Certificate III level qualification. This course builds the skills to support children’s learning, development, and wellbeing in approved services such as long day care, preschool or kindergarten, family day care, and outside school hours care (OSHC).

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CHC50125
Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

Quick Look

COURSE CODE:
CHC50125

Learning Method
Online

Duration
12 months (with the ability to complete sooner)

Work Placement
280 hours’ minimum

Training delivered by
Kirana Colleges Registered Training Organisation, Maxis Solutions Pty Ltd RTO ID 91428

Payment Options
Start your course from $65/week

Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

100% STUDY ONLINE

FLEXIBLE PAYMENT OPTIONS

STUDENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

WORK PLACEMENT ASSISTANCE

DEDICATED TRAINER AND STUDENT SUPPORT

NATIONALLY RECOGNISED TRAINING

Do you have a passion for educating and shaping the young minds of Australia’s youth? Then consider a CHC50125 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care. You will learn to plan, implement and manage programs in early childhood services, in accordance with licensing, accreditation and duty of care requirements. Legislation now requires most educators in the early childhood services industry to either hold or be working towards a Diploma level qualification. So now is the time to do a CHC50125 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care. This course will teach you to plan, implement and manage programs in early childhood services.

Full Details Here Enquire Now

CHC30125 / CHC50125
Dual Certificate III and Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

Quick Look

COURSE CODE:
CHC30125 / CHC50125

Learning Method
Online

Work placement
Minimum of 440 hours

Duration
20 months

Training delivered by
Kirana Colleges Registered Training Organisation, Maxis Solutions Pty Ltd RTO ID 91428

Payment Options
Start your course from $86/week

Dual Certificate III and Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

100% STUDY ONLINE

FLEXIBLE PAYMENT OPTIONS

STUDENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

WORK PLACEMENT ASSISTANCE

DEDICATED TRAINER AND STUDENT SUPPORT

NATIONALLY RECOGNISED TRAINING

The Dual Certificate III and Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care course will give you the career boost you need to get ahead in the child care industry. As a minimum, child care workers need to hold or be working towards the CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care in order to enter the industry. Completing the diploma on top of this will improve your career prospects into educational leadership positions such as room or team leaders, nominated supervisors and center manager in centre-based services. Overall, these qualifications will teach you to plan, implement and manage programs in early childhood services.

Full Details Here Enquire Now

Which Early Childhood Course is Right for Me?

Compare course duration, work placement hours, study mode, and outcomes to choose the best pathway for you.

Online Study and Work Placement (What to Expect)

Kirana Colleges’ early childhood courses are designed to be flexible, with the theory component completed online.

Work placement is still required and must be completed in person in an approved setting.

Work placement hours by course

CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care: 160 hours minimum
CHC50125 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care: 280 hours minimum
CHC30125 / CHC50125 Dual Certificate III and Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care: 440 hours minimum

Support during your study journey

Guidance to help you understand placement requirements and timelines
Support throughout your study journey to help you stay on track
Help as you work through the practical placement component

Work placement commitment

Why Study Early Childhood
Education and Care?

Career Insights

Career outcomes can vary depending on the qualification level and your experience. Here are common pathways in early childhood education and care:

Early Childhood Educator

Family Day Care Educator

Playgroup Supervisor

Children’s Services Coordinator

Childcare Assistant

Early Childhood Assistant

Industry Growth

Industry Growth

UP TO

22%

projected by 2035

Source: Jobs and Skills Australia

Median Weekly Earnings icon

Average Annual Salary

$69,732 – $113,241+

for early childhood educators

Source: Jobs and Skills Australia

Employment Size icon

Employment Size

UP TO

215,000

projected workers in Child Care services, by 2035.

Source: Jobs and Skills Australia

Real Student Stories in Early Childhood Education

Certificate III, Diploma and Dual Qualification pathways in Early Childhood Education and Care

"Doing my diploma was the best decision of my life"

Hear directly from Kirana Colleges graduates who’ve turned their passion for working with children into real careers in Early Childhood Education and Care.

In this short mashup, students share what they loved about studying online, how flexible learning fit around their lives, the support they received from their trainers, and how their qualifications helped them step confidently into the workforce.

If you’re exploring a career in early childhood or wondering whether online study is right for you, these real experiences offer an honest look at what’s possible with the right support behind you.

Hear from more students

PGRpdiBzdHlsZT0icGFkZGluZzo1Ni4yNSUgMCAwIDA7cG9zaXRpb246cmVsYXRpdmU7Ij48aWZyYW1lIHNyYz0iaHR0cHM6Ly9wbGF5ZXIudmltZW8uY29tL3ZpZGVvLzExNDU3NzY4MDg/dGl0bGU9MCZhbXA7YnlsaW5lPTAmYW1wO3BvcnRyYWl0PTAmYW1wO2JhZGdlPTAmYW1wO2F1dG9wYXVzZT0wJmFtcDtwbGF5ZXJfaWQ9MCZhbXA7YXBwX2lkPTU4NDc5IiBmcmFtZWJvcmRlcj0iMCIgYWxsb3c9ImF1dG9wbGF5OyBmdWxsc2NyZWVuOyBwaWN0dXJlLWluLXBpY3R1cmU7IGNsaXBib2FyZC13cml0ZTsgZW5jcnlwdGVkLW1lZGlhOyB3ZWItc2hhcmUiIHJlZmVycmVycG9saWN5PSJzdHJpY3Qtb3JpZ2luLXdoZW4tY3Jvc3Mtb3JpZ2luIiBzdHlsZT0icG9zaXRpb246YWJzb2x1dGU7dG9wOjA7bGVmdDowO3dpZHRoOjEwMCU7aGVpZ2h0OjEwMCU7IiB0aXRsZT0iUmVhbCBzdG9yaWVzLiBSZWFsIG91dGNvbWVzLiBSZWFsIHN0dWRlbnRzLiI+PC9pZnJhbWU+PC9kaXY+PHNjcmlwdCBzcmM9Imh0dHBzOi8vcGxheWVyLnZpbWVvLmNvbS9hcGkvcGxheWVyLmpzIj48L3NjcmlwdD4=

ECEC student mashup video

Early Childhood Education and Care FAQs

1. Why study early childhood education?

Early childhood education gives you the skills and knowledge to support children’s learning, development, and wellbeing during the most important early years. It’s a people-focused career where you can make a real impact, and qualified educators are in demand across Australia.

By studying early childhood education, you’ll learn how to:

Support children’s health, safety, and wellbeing
Understand child development and age-appropriate learning
Create safe, inclusive environments and positive routines
Communicate effectively with families and teams

2. What is the best course to start a career in childcare?

For most people starting out, the best entry point is the CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care. It is designed for beginners and supports you to build foundational skills for working in early childhood education and care.

3. What is the difference between Certificate III and Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care?

The main difference is the level of responsibility and the depth of skills covered.

CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care is typically the entry-level pathway. It focuses on core skills for working with children in education and care settings, under guidance and within established routines.
CHC50125 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care is a higher-level qualification that supports progression into more senior responsibilities and leadership pathways, including guiding practice, supporting programs, and taking on lead educator or room leader responsibilities (depending on service requirements and your experience).

4. Can I study early childhood education online?

Yes. The theory component of Kirana Colleges’ early childhood courses can be completed online, which makes it easier to study flexibly around work and life commitments.

5. Do I need work placement for online childcare courses?

Yes. Even if the theory is studied online, work placement is still required and must be completed in-person in an approved setting. Placement is where you apply what you’ve learned and demonstrate practical skills.

Placement hours differ by course:

CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care: 160 hours minimum
CHC50125 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care: 280 hours minimum
CHC30125 / CHC50125 Dual Certificate III and Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care: 440 hours minimum

6. Which course should I choose if I have no childcare experience?

If you have no childcare experience, start with the CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care. It’s designed as the entry-level pathway and supports you to build the foundational skills and confidence needed to work in the industry.

7. Can I progress from Certificate III to Diploma?

Yes. Many students complete the CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care first and then progress to the CHC50125 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care to expand their skills and move toward more senior educator responsibilities and leadership pathways.

If you’re planning to complete both, the CHC30125 / CHC50125 Dual Certificate III and Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care pathway is also an option.

8. What jobs can I get after studying early childhood education?

Career outcomes vary depending on your qualification level, experience, and the requirements of the service you work in. Common outcomes include:

After CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care: assistant educator or early childhood educator roles, family day care educator
After CHC50125 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care: lead educator and room leader responsibilities, and a pathway toward coordination and leadership roles (depending on experience and service requirements)
CHC30125 / CHC50125 Dual Certificate III and Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care: a progressive pathway from entry-level roles through to more advanced early childhood responsibilities over time

Kirana Colleges: Empowering through education

At Kirana Colleges, we empower individuals by providing flexible, online courses designed for real-world application and job readiness in the community services sector. Our courses, including programs to obtain a diploma in early childhood education and more, are nationally recognised, ensuring quality and relevance to today’s industry standards. Our online platform offers unparalleled flexibility, allowing you to balance education with personal commitments seamlessly. Study anytime, anywhere, with access to a user-friendly portal that simplifies your learning experience. With Kirana, education fits your lifestyle, not the other way around.

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