
Start your journey in early childhood education. Learn to create safe, caring and inclusive experiences for children in a fun, engaging and developmentally appropriate setting.
Early childhood courses teach you to provide safe, nurturing, meaningful and inclusive education and care. You’ll support children’s development in their early years. It’s a rewarding job. Your experience and career goals will help you choose the best pathway. Watch our video to learn more.
Through a mixture of theory and practical course work, learn to:
care for babies and children and keep them safe and healthy
promote good nutrition and positive meal experiences
use an approved learning framework to support holistic development through play and learning
identify and respond to children at risk
perform emergency first aid
support diversity and inclusion.
Gain practical experience and develop specialist skills that give you an advantage in the job market.
A nationally recognised qualification at Certificate III level.
The industry recognised minimum qualification needed to work as an early childhood educator.
A First Aid certificate.
Access to employment opportunities in the early childhood education and care sector.
Strong pathways to continue your studies and enhance your career opportunities.
This course requires evidence of previous experience or study before you can enrol.
This course can be completed as part of a traineeship. Enquire today to check the eligibility requirements.
Please complete our survey to find out if the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care course is suitable for you.
During your study you’ll need to provide your teacher with the following evidence:
A valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) if you’re 18 or older.
Any other evidence required by your work placement provider, such as vaccinations or a police check.
To be prepared for this course, we recommend that you have:
the ability to problem solve and work with people in difficult situations
empathy, patience and the ability to empower others
good organisational skills and the ability to multitask and respond to change
the ability to perform CPR while kneeling on the floor
the ability to read, write and speak English at a Year 10 level or equivalent.
You can plan your work and try to solve problems on your own.
You can understand documents you see often in everyday life.
You can write short sentences or lists to share information
You can speak clearly and explain your thoughts in a group.
You can do everyday maths like working out prices or reading a timetable.
You can turn on a digital device and follow simple steps.
TAFE NSW may ask you to complete a Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) skills test. This skills test helps us to understand your individual study needs, to design an individualised plan that supports your study success and ensures your LLN skills match the demands of the course.
We tailor our courses to meet local community needs, so some campuses may have extra entry requirements. Check your preferred location for details. Need help preparing? Contact us for support.
This simple tool guides you to a suitable course level based on your foundation skills and confidence.
Our graduates go onto roles like: childcare worker, early childhood educator, family day care educator, afterschool carer, long daycare centre educator and nanny.
Take your study further with other courses offered at TAFE NSW:
Begin here to gain experience and confidence in this study area.
The Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care does not have any pre-requisite courses.
Advance your skills to take your career to the next level
Strengthen your expertise and gain specialist skills to expand your employability.
The Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care does not have any related courses.
At TAFE NSW, we recognise your previous study and work experience. You can apply for recognition of prior learning or a credit transfer with any of our courses. If you're successful you'll get your qualification faster.
Courses are made up of a combination of both core and specialty units. In the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care qualification, you’ll need to successfully complete 17 units of competency, including 15 core and 2 speciality units.
Please note, not all specialty units are offered at every TAFE NSW location. It is highly recommended that you check with your preferred campus for information about the specialty units offered at that location.
Core units are central to the job outcomes of a particular industry or occupation. These are the units industry has agreed are essential to be capable and qualified at a particular study level.
TAFE NSW provides support services across all campus locations and online. Whatever your needs or circumstances, we have the people, resources, counselling and facilities to support you in focusing on your studies.
TAFE NSW Disability Support Service
TAFE NSW Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) support
TAFE NSW Aboriginal Support; Learner support (ABE)
TAFE NSW Careers, Counselling and Pathways Service
TAFE NSW Libraries
Scholarship programs - be supported as you explore your talents and fulfil your potential
Read&Write literacy and study support software is available free for all TAFE NSW students to use while studying on campus and at home
LinkedIn Learning - an online resource which offers innovative courses and tutorials to improve your personal and professional skills
Student associations - get social with our student community
There are a total of 8 information sessions planned for this course. They'll take place at different locations across the state.
You can view all sessions related to Education and Training.