The sector is demanding higher qualifications and training from educators in this field to ensure consistently high standards of education and care for children placed in these services. This can be achieved by completing the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.
You'll learn how to interact and foster the development of the children while working within legal requirements and ensuring the children's health and safety are not at risk. You will work closely with children from different backgrounds and cultures and provide care and support for them in various childcare situations.
You will gain skills in:
- Caring for children
- Applying health and hygiene principles
- Understanding legal and ethical requirements
- Providing nutritional needs for babies and children
- Developing and implementing play experiences
- Understanding child development stages
- Working with families and working effectively in a team environment.
This course remains FEE FREE in 2024! The course fees are 100 per cent subsidised by the WA State Government for WA residents.
Some eligibility conditions apply for the free training, and other fees may apply for some courses. Please see the FAQs on our Skills Ready page for further information.
^ Please note: Eligibility requirements apply to some of the free training.
| School Leaver | Non-School Leaver | AQF |
|---|---|---|
| OLNA or NAPLAN 9 Band 8 | C Grades in Year 10 English and Maths or equivalent | Certificate I or Certificate II |
RTO Entry Requirements
- Student selection interviews are conducted by the school VET Program Coordinators, who also use attendance and behaviour summary information and Year 8 to 10 data including National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) and Online Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (OLNA) results, to determine the student’s suitability to participate in their preferred program.
- Once the school has reviewed all applications, the selected students then apply to Central Regional TAFE then make the final decision on each student. Criteria considered when selecting students is based on school grades, school attendance and school behaviour.
- Students MUST participate in an interview with the lecturer (face to face or phone) prior to enrolment.
- Students MUST complete a Client Needs Form provided by the lecturer prior to enrolment. This form is designed to record the specific needs and/or additional requirements identified by the individual client that may affect their chances of successful participation in and/or completion of the course.
- A Working With Children Check (for those over 18 years of age) and Medical Clearance must be obtained prior to starting work placement in a regulated early childhood education and care setting.
- Students are required to comply with WA Early Childhood Education and Care Regulations (2012) in regard to Reg. 83 concerning alcohol or drugs, including prescriptions that can impair a person’s ability to supervise or care for children.
- To successfully complete the qualification, students will need to be fully vaccinated against COVID (as mandated by the state and federal government).
Students are required to complete the LLN assessment (via LLN Robot) prior to participating in the course. Furthermore, Language Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) requirements must be met if applying for VET Fee Help Loan (LLN Robot).
This course includes work placement or live works in a Group 1 or Group 2 industry as outlined in COVID-19 mandatory vaccination policy. For the latest information on vaccine requirements for students visit our COVID-19 updates page.
Certification
Upon successful completion you will receive a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.
Job opportunities include:
- Childhood Educator Assistant
- Family Day Care Educator
- Nanny
- Playgroup / Preschool Assistant
For more information about job and career pathways, visit JobOutlook(opens in a new tab) (opens in a new tab) or Jobs and Skills WA
Please note: This list is a guide only as job titles and qualification requirements may vary between organisations.
We offer a range of further study opportunities, view our course list here(opens in a new tab) .
Study options and how to apply
Click on your preferred study option below to get started with your application or enrolment.
Available all year round, 2024
Northam - Self Paced Onsite VETDSS
This course availability is specifically for VET Delivered to Secondary Students (VETDSS). To find out more about VETDSS programs visit the VET Delivered to Secondary Students page here.
| Duration | 12 Months |
| When | Available all year round, 2024 |
| Where | Northam |
| How | Self Paced Onsite VETDSS |
Semester 1, 2024
Geraldton - Classroom
Available all year round, 2023
Geraldton - Traineeship
A Traineeship is a full-time employment-based training program usual lasting twelve (12) months or more. Learning is predominantly in the workplace and may be supplemented by training at TAFE. You must have a Training Contract to enrol in a Traineeship Course.
Use our sidebar links on the right to find out more.
| Duration | 12 Months |
| When | Available all year round, 2023 |
| Where | Geraldton |
| How | Traineeship |
FEES
Calculate your estimated fees in the above UNITS AND FEES tab.
Geraldton - Self Paced External
Many of our courses offer flexible learning options that provide you with the opportunity to study WHENEVER and WHEREVER suits you. Typically, flexible, and self-paced options are part-time and open for enrolment all year round, allowing you to start, enrol and study continuously.
Once you enrol into your chosen units, you will have six (6) months from the date of your enrolment to complete your study.
| When | Available all year round, 2023 |
| Where | Geraldton |
| How | Self Paced External |
READY TO APPLY?
Use the APPLY NOW box to register and apply for this course. Our Lecturer will assess your application online. You can follow the Register & Apply guide here.
FEES
Calculate your estimated fees in the above UNITS AND FEES tab.
Kalgoorlie - Self Paced Onsite
Many of our courses offer flexible learning options that provide you with the opportunity to study WHENEVER and WHEREVER suits you. Typically, flexible, and self-paced options are part-time and open for enrolment all year round, allowing you to start, enrol and study continuously.
Once you enrol into your chosen units, you will have six (6) months from the date of your enrolment to complete your study.
| Duration | 6 Months |
| When | Available all year round, 2023 |
| Where | Kalgoorlie |
| How | Self Paced Onsite |
READY TO APPLY?
Use the APPLY NOW box to register and apply for this course. Our Lecturer will assess your application online. You can follow the Register & Apply guide here.
FEES
Calculate your estimated fees in the above UNITS AND FEES tab.
Kalgoorlie - Traineeship
A Traineeship is a full-time employment-based training program usual lasting twelve (12) months or more. Learning is predominantly in the workplace and may be supplemented by training at TAFE. You must have a Training Contract to enrol in a Traineeship Course.
Use our sidebar links on the right to find out more.
| Duration | 12 Months |
| When | Available all year round, 2023 |
| Where | Kalgoorlie |
| How | Traineeship |
FEES
Calculate your estimated fees in the above UNITS AND FEES tab.
Northam - Self Paced Onsite
Many of our courses offer flexible learning options that provide you with the opportunity to study WHENEVER and WHEREVER suits you. Typically, flexible, and self-paced options are part-time and open for enrolment all year round, allowing you to start, enrol and study continuously.
Once you enrol into your chosen units, you will have six (6) months from the date of your enrolment to complete your study.
| Duration | 6 Months |
| When | Available all year round, 2023 |
| Where | Northam |
| How | Self Paced Onsite |
READY TO APPLY?
Use the APPLY NOW box to register and apply for this course. Our Lecturer will assess your application online. You can follow the Register & Apply guide here.
FEES
Calculate your estimated fees in the above UNITS AND FEES tab.
Northam - Traineeship
A Traineeship is a full-time employment-based training program usual lasting twelve (12) months or more. Learning is predominantly in the workplace and may be supplemented by training at TAFE. You must have a Training Contract to enrol in a Traineeship Course.
Use our sidebar links on the right to find out more.
| Duration | 6 Months |
| When | Available all year round, 2023 |
| Where | Northam |
| How | Traineeship |
FEES
Calculate your estimated fees in the above UNITS AND FEES tab.
Semester 2, 2023
Geraldton - Classroom
| Duration | 2 Semesters |
| When | Semester 2, 2023 |
| Where | Geraldton |
| How | Classroom |
READY TO APPLY?
Use the APPLY NOW box to register and apply for this course. Our Lecturer will assess your application online. You can follow the Register & Apply guide here.
FEES
Calculate your estimated fees in the above UNITS AND FEES tab.