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Home›Education & Teaching›Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

Become a Qualified Early Childhood Education Professional

The CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care builds the skills to lead, teach, and coordinate in early childhood settings across Australia.

Nationally Recognised · CHC50121Blended Delivery
Enquire now
52 Wks
Duration
280 Hrs
Placement
Blended
Delivery
15
Units
Flexible
Start Date
Diploma
Level
Home›Education & Teaching›Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

Become a Qualified Early Childhood Education Professional

The CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care builds the skills to lead, teach, and coordinate in early childhood settings across Australia.

Nationally Recognised · CHC50121Blended Delivery
52 Wks
Duration
280 Hrs
Placement
Blended
Delivery
15
Units
Flexible
Start Date
Diploma
Level
Why Study This

Real Skills, Real Placement, A Recognised Qualification.

280 Hours Of Placement, Organised For You

Fast-Track To Victoria University, Save Up To A Year

Where It Can Take You

Career Paths & Direction

Roles graduates commonly move into across Australia. Your path depends on experience, employer and location.

181k+
Employed in education & teaching (AU)
Early Childhood EducatorSupports children's learning and development in centre-based or family day care settings.
Group, Team or Room LeaderLeads a room or age group within an early childhood service, guiding a small team.
Educational LeaderDrives curriculum and educational practice across a service, mentoring educators.
Early Childhood Centre CoordinatorOversees day-to-day operations and compliance within an early childhood centre.
Early Childhood Centre ManagerManages staffing, budgets, and regulatory requirements for an early childhood service.
Nominated SupervisorHolds legal responsibility for the operation of an approved early childhood service under the National Law.

Indicative market figures from publicly available Australian data (ABS / NCVER). Possible career directions only; no specific job, salary or outcome is guaranteed. Where you go depends on your experience, the employer and your location.

What You’ll Learn

15 Nationally Recognised Units · 12 Core, 3 Electives

Core Units · 12 units
  • CHCECE042Foster holistic early childhood learning, development and wellbeing
  • CHCECE048Plan and implement children's education and care curriculum
  • CHCECE047Analyse information to inform children's learning
  • CHCECE043Nurture creativity in children
  • CHCECE041Maintain a safe and healthy environment for children
  • CHCECE049Embed environmental responsibility in service operations
  • CHCPRP003Reflect on and improve own professional practice
  • CHCECE045Foster positive and respectful interactions and behaviour in children
  • CHCECE046Implement strategies for the inclusion of all children
  • CHCECE050Work in partnership with children's families
  • CHCECE044Facilitate compliance in a children's education and care service
  • BSBTWK502Manage team effectiveness
Elective Units · 3 units
  • CHCPOL002Develop and implement policy
  • CHCMGT003Lead the work team
  • BSBSTR501Establish innovative work environments
Before You Apply

Entry Requirements

What you’ll typically need to get started in this nationally recognised qualification.

Minimum age 18

Must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident

CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

CHC30113 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

Language, literacy & numeracy (LLN) assessment may apply

Must complete a Pre-Training Review

Requirements can vary by intake and pathway, so submit an enquiry to confirm what applies to you.

What’s Included

Everything That Comes With Your Enrolment

Work Placement Organised by MCIE

MCIE Work Placement Officers will facilitate work placement for students into early childhood environments. MCIE organises placement with host employers.

Direct Pathway to Victoria University

Provides a direct pathway into Victoria University's Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (reduced from 3 years to 2 years) or extended Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Leadership (reduced from 4 years to 3 years).

Blended and Online Self-Paced Delivery

Program is delivered as blended training, both in-person on campus and remotely in real-time via Microsoft Teams, with online self-paced options available.

Support for Students with Disabilities

MCIE welcomes all people with disabilities, learning differences and medical conditions. Acceptance subject to ability to undertake all program requirements with reasonable adjustments where applicable.

Earn & Learn Recruitment Access

The provider has a large network of domestic marketing partners and international education agents/partners across multiple countries facilitating student enrolments.

Career & Employment Support

Melbourne City Institute of Education provides dedicated career services including job search assistance, resume writing, and interview preparation to help graduates find employment.

Student Wellbeing Support

Committed ongoing support to participants whilst training; post placement support available.

MCIE
Your Provider

Melbourne City Institute of Education

MCIE is an Australian Registered Training Organisation (RTO) that offers vocational education and training. It provides Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer services to candidates, assessing competencies acquired through formal, non-formal, and informal learning against training package or VET accredited course requirements.

Endorsed by ITECA · Les Toques Blanches · Australian Culinary Federation · CPA Australia · Migration Institute of Australia · Migration Alliance · Office of Migration Agents Registration Authority · Family Day Care Australia · Australia Diabetes Association · Alzheimer's Australia Dementia Research Foundation
RTO Code 22172 · CRICOS 03024A (nationally accredited)
Fees & Funding

Flexible Ways To Pay

Enquire to confirm the exact fees and payment options for your situation. We don’t list a set price here because it varies by your circumstances.
Getting Started

Your Path To Enrolment

A few simple steps from enquiry to your first day.

1
Enquire or apply online
2
Complete a Pre-Training Review
3
Demonstrate LLN skill standards
4
Obtain or provide USI number
5
Enrol and pay fees
Why Students Choose Melbourne

What Students Say

★★★★★

“Being supported, even when I am in University! Completing my diploma of ECEC with MCIE was a very smooth journey. I was supported in many ways by the helpful and thoughtful trainers as I completed my course. I have now gone on to do my Bachelors at a University and MCIE is still supporting me with placements and guidance. Will definitely recommend this institute to whoever is looking to begin or further their studies.”

MRMariah Roch
★★★★★

“Very qualified and great support. I am a student of MCIE, I am currently doing the Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care, my trainer is Sumita and the centre is absolutely great and the trainer is well qualified and helps us in each and every step throughout the process. We are all already doing our work placement and they are providing us with traineeship programme in which you could start working while completing the course. It is a great opportunity and I am so happy I chose MCIE for doing my childhood degree.”

SKSuganthi Krishna Prakash
★★★★★

“Amazing faculty, structured courses and responsible staff. I joined diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care. The course is well structured and the my trainer is very friendly. I like the way she is teaching. I definitely recommend this institute.”

RRadhika
★★★★★

“The Diploma in ECEC service helped me to see the world from a whole new perspective. Working in an ECEC service provided me an opportunity to make a real difference in the way a child approaches learning for life. You also get to encourage, nurture and support positive outcomes in children's health, wellbeing and learning.”

MMahvish
★★★★★

“The Diploma of ECEC is the best way to further knowledge in Childcare. I studied the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care and I am currently gaining hand on experience at the Childcare Centre. I truly enjoy this course and I am hopeful to land a job in the near future.”

NPNithya Panicker
Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Entry requirements can vary depending on your background and prior qualifications. The course welcomes students with disabilities, learning differences, and medical conditions, with reasonable adjustments available. Submit an enquiry to confirm the current entry requirements before you apply.
Pricing is not listed here as it can vary based on your circumstances, eligibility for government funding, and enrolment timing. Submit an enquiry to get up-to-date pricing details and find out whether you may be eligible for subsidised fees.
The course runs for 52 weeks. Delivery is self-paced within that structure, so your actual progress may vary. Submit an enquiry to confirm how the schedule works in practice.
Delivery is blended, combining on-campus sessions with live online classes via Microsoft Teams. Self-paced online study is also available. Melbourne City Institute of Education delivers all components of the course.
The course includes 280 hours of supervised work placement in early childhood environments. Melbourne City Institute of Education's Work Placement Officers organise placement with host employers on your behalf. Submit an enquiry to find out how placements are scheduled around your availability.
The CHC50121 prepares graduates for roles including Early Childhood Educator, Room Leader, Educational Leader, Centre Coordinator, and Centre Manager. This qualification does not guarantee employment.
RPL may be available if you have relevant work experience or prior study. This means you could receive credit for skills and knowledge you already hold, potentially shortening your study time. Submit an enquiry to find out whether RPL applies to your situation.
Yes. Completing this diploma provides a direct pathway into Victoria University's Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, reduced from three years to two. The extended Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Leadership is reduced from four years to three. Submit an enquiry to confirm current pathway arrangements.
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About This Course

Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

This diploma covers child development, educational programming, inclusive practice, and leadership in early childhood settings. Students complete 280 hours of supervised work placement in real early childhood environments. The placement is organised on your behalf, so you can focus on learning.

Delivered by Melbourne City Institute of Education, the course suits people entering the sector and those already working in it. Blended delivery combines on-campus sessions with live online classes via Microsoft Teams, plus self-paced online study. The program runs for 52 weeks.

Graduates who want to continue studying can move directly into Victoria University's Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, saving up to a full year of study time. Students with disabilities, learning differences, or medical conditions are welcomed, with reasonable adjustments available.

Ready When You Are

Take The Next Step Into Education & Teaching

Enquire about this course and a course advisor from Melbourne City Institute of Education will be in touch with pricing and next steps.

Helping students across Australia find the right course since 2013 · 1M+ enquiries

Nationally Recognised · CHC50121

Nationally recognised training: CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care is a nationally recognised qualification delivered by Melbourne City Institute of Education (RTO 22172).

Disclaimer: Course information on this page is sourced from the education provider and was last verified on the date shown below. Details including pricing, availability, entry requirements and course content may change without notice. Get Course is a directory service that connects students with course providers; we do not deliver courses directly. Contact the provider for the most current information before enrolling.

Last updated: July 2026