CHC30121
Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

Start Date
No longer taking enrolments for 2022.
Duration
12 months
Delivery Method
Blended Learning WA Only
Units
17
Nurture young minds
With an influx of young children beginning to start their educational journey, there has been a greater need for childcare workers to nurture and teach a brand new generation of students. The CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care provides a detailed and practical introduction for those looking to begin their career in the childhood development sector.
In this course, you will obtain the skills and practices necessary to teach young children in various early education settings, ranging from early learning and childcare centres, kindergarten, and pre and junior primary classrooms.
Next Start Date
No longer taking enrolments for 2022.
Duration
12 months
Delivery Method
Blended Learning WA Only

Course Overview
Study the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
Studying the CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care will equip students with the knowledge and practical skills needed to teach children across all sectors within the early development education industry.
In this course, you will learn how to design and implement curriculums that meet the requirements of an approved learning framework and for maintaining compliance in other areas of service operations. You will gain specialised knowledge to analyse and apply theoretical concepts to a variety of early learning environments. This will also prepare you for the responsibility necessary to supervise volunteers or other educators in the educational sector.
With this qualification, you can gain employment in the school sector in Kindergarten and Pre-Primary, including opportunities to work as a pedagogical leader, teacher, or director within early learning centres. You can also gain employment within the childcare industry as a day-care worker or a nanny. The Certificate course even opens further studying opportunities with multiple respected universities, as a prerequisite towards a Diploma in Early Childhood Education.
During this course, you are required to complete 160 hours of work placement to expose you to a real-world setting and allow you to apply and develop the skills you have learned during your online study. Our work placement officer will work with you to arrange your placement programs.
Is the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care for you?
The Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care allows you to gain skills to teach young children. Students will be given the chance to apply theory and practice to a variety of learning environments within early learning and across the educational sector. For those looking to get a head start into teaching, this course provides an incredible entry pathway into the field.
You may choose to study the Certificate ….
- to give back to the community and support young students
- To kickstart your career as a carer, teacher, tutor, or educational provider
- you have prior experience working with children/ in a childcare/educational environment
What will you learn in the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care?
The CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care will give you specialist knowledge and competencies in several key areas related to early learning and the educational sector in general. You will learn how to communicate and engage with your students, and create curriculums and care procedures that help young students throughout their early education journey.
In this course you will learn to:
- foster and implement respectful interactions and behaviours with students
- develop and teach education and care curriculums for children
- provide a safe and healthy learning environment for children
- Communicate effectively with children (aged 0-8 years old), families, and other educational service providers to clarify goals, and create learning methods to improve your practice
- prepare to undertake teaching in a real-world environment
To gain this qualification, students are required to attain the ‘Provide First Aid in an education and care setting – HLTAID012’ unit externally.
This unit is trained and assessed externally. Learners are expected to arrange this themselves and complete the unit with another RTO or Training Organisation e.g. St John Ambulance, and then apply for Mutual Recognition with TrainSmart Australia.
How will you study the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care?
Please Note: TrainSmart Australia is no longer taking enrolments for this course in 2022.
When you study the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care at TrainSmart Australia, you will gain access to our team of Health and Community Services Trainers. Our trainers will support you throughout the course to help you understand the course content, and give valuable feedback on your theoretical and practical assessments. Overall they are here to assist you towards success in your studies.
To achieve competency, students must complete at least 160 hours of work in a regulated children’s education and care service in Australia. This is to help students get real-world experience within the education sector, by applying their skills and knowledge to practice.
You will have access to our e-learning management system, LearnSmart, to access all your course material and assessments. In LearnSmart, you will have multiple attempts to submit your assignments and receive trainer feedback.
Not sure where to start when accessing your course online? We’ve got you covered. Our friendly IT support team will be on-hand to assist you throughout your course duration, should any technical issues arise.
How long is the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care?
This course will run for a duration of 12 months.

Entry Requirements
TrainSmart Australia will assess a student’s ‘academic suitability’ to ensure the student has the best chance of success. This is determined by either:
- The student providing TrainSmart Australia with a copy of an Australian year 12 certificate of education; or,
- The student providing TrainSmart Australia with a copy of a completed Certificate qualification that can be verified; or,
- For entry into a Certificate III – A Certificate II or higher;
- For entry into a Certificate IV – A Certificate III or higher;
- The student completing the Core Skills Profile for Adults online assessment passing at or above Exit Level 3 in the Australian Core Skills Framework in both reading and numeracy.
Please note, we are unable to enrol international students at this time.
Proof of COVID-19 vaccinations are required to complete this course in face-to-face classes and/or during the work placement component. See More
Delivery Method
This course will require you to complete a number of assessments including:
Knowledge Based Assessments
17
Case Studies
17
Practical Assessments
17
Work Placement
160 hours
Modules
This qualification is made up of the following units of competency. All units of competency must be completed in order to successfully attain the CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care .
The CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care is broken up into the following Modules.
Module 1: Early Childhood Education Essentials Part 1
Manage personal stressors in the work environment
HLTWHS006
Reflect on and improve own professional practice
CHCPRP003
Support inclusion and diversity
CHCECE030
Support children’s health, safety and wellbeing
CHCECE031
Nurture babies and toddlers
CHCECE032
Develop positive and respectful relationships with children
CHCECE033
Module 2: Early Childhood Education Essentials Part 2
Use an approved learning framework to guide practice
CHCECE034
Support the holistic learning and development of children
CHCECE035
Provide experiences to support children’s play and learning
CHCECE036
Support children to connect with the natural environment
CHCECE037
Observe children to inform practice
CHCECE038
Encourage understanding of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples’ cultures
CHCECE054
Module 3: Early Childhood Education Essentials Part 3
Meet legal and ethical obligations in children’s education and care
CHCECE055
Work effectively in children’s education and care
CHCECE056
Participate in workplace health and safety
HLTWHS001
Identify and respond to children and young people at risk
CHCPRT001
Provide First Aid in an education and care setting
HLTAID012
** Please note. This Unit: ‘HLTAID012 Provide First Aid in an education and care setting’ is trained and assessed externally. Learners are expected to arrange and complete this unit themselves at their own cost with another RTO or Training Organisation eg St John Ambulance, and then apply for Mutual Recognition with TSA.
Module 1: Early Childhood Education Essentials Part 1
Manage personal stressors in the work environment
HLTWHS006
Reflect on and improve own professional practice
CHCPRP003
Support inclusion and diversity
CHCECE030
Support children’s health, safety and wellbeing
CHCECE031
Nurture babies and toddlers
CHCECE032
Develop positive and respectful relationships with children
CHCECE033
Module 2: Early Childhood Education Essentials Part 2
Use an approved learning framework to guide practice
CHCECE034
Support the holistic learning and development of children
CHCECE035
Provide experiences to support children’s play and learning
CHCECE036
Support children to connect with the natural environment
CHCECE037
Observe children to inform practice
CHCECE038
Encourage understanding of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples’ cultures
CHCECE054
Module 3: Early Childhood Education Essentials Part 3
Meet legal and ethical obligations in children’s education and care
CHCECE055
Work effectively in children’s education and care
CHCECE056
Participate in workplace health and safety
HLTWHS001
Identify and respond to children and young people at risk
CHCPRT001
Provide First Aid in an education and care setting
HLTAID012
** Please note. This Unit: ‘HLTAID012 Provide First Aid in an education and care setting’ is trained and assessed externally. Learners are expected to arrange and complete this unit themselves at their own cost with another RTO or Training Organisation eg St John Ambulance, and then apply for Mutual Recognition with TSA.
Job Outcomes
Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care Career Opportunities
The CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care qualification can lead to opportunities with job titles including;
- Early Childhood Educator – Assistant level
- Family Day Care Manager/ Supervisor
- Kindergarten Assistant
- Nanny
- Preschool Assistant
This qualification can also open up further study pathways. Chat to us to learn more!

Expected Salary and Biggest Employment Opportunity
$38,000
SALARY
79.5%
JOBS
71.8%
INDUSTRY
All statistics are supplied by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research. Based on national surveys.
Payment Options
$10,136.50
The maximum tuition fee for this course is $10,136.50. Your fee payment options are:
- Upfront payment
- Interest Free Payment Plan – No deposit, no interest payment plans.
- Find out what your repayments may be using our Payment Plan Repayment Calculator
Frequently Asked Questions
When will this course be available again?
TrainSmart Australia is no longer taking enrolments for this course in 2022. Please get in touch with us for other course options or reserve your place in 2023.
Is this course nationally recognised? What does that mean?
Completing a nationally recognised qualification (or training) means that your qualification and credentials are recognised all across Australia by other registered training organisations and employers. All accredited courses must adhere to the standards set by the Australian Skills and Quality Authority (ASQA). According to ASQA, accreditation is formal confirmation that the course:
- Is nationally recognised
- Meets an established industry, enterprise, educational, legislative or community need
- Provides appropriate competency outcomes and satisfactory basis for assessment
- Meets national quality assurance requirements
- Is assigned appropriately to the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) where it leads to a qualification.
How many hours do I need to study each week?
To achieve this qualification within the given timeframe, students are required to commit to a minimum of 15 hours of study per week.
Can I get course credit for previous study?
Students enrolling into a Trainsmart Australia course can receive recognition for previous studies completed at a Certificate and Diploma level. Students can be awarded a credit transfer if:
- The student already holds a unit (or units) for the they’re enrolling into,
- The student holds an old unit which is deemed equivalent to the new unit they’re enrolling into
Receiving credit transfers will reduce the overall cost of your qualification as well as the duration to complete your remaining units.
University qualifications are not backwards transferrable, which means no credit transfers can be awarded. However, you can still apply for recognition of prior learning (RPL).
What if I don’t meet the entry requirements?
If you are unable to provide a copy of an Australian Year 12 Certificate or Certificate IV qualification or higher, you may be required to complete an Language Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) test to gain entry into your course of interest. This test is offered online, free of charge, after you have submitted your application.
Are TrainSmart courses Centrelink approved?
All of our courses are Centrelink approved through AUSTUDY.

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All statistics are supplied by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research. Based on national surveys.
Frequently Asked Questions
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