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Diploma of Children's Services (Early childhood education and care)

Course Code: DCHC50908 CRICOS Code: 071267G

Duration	Campus and Intake	Fee*
18 Month/s (Students are generally required to complete the Certificate III in Children's Services prior to commencement of the Diploma of Children's Services (Early Childhood Education and Care). The combined duration of this approved course sequence is 2 years.)	Lilydale (Term 1, Term 3) Prahran (Term 1, Term 3)	A$11,750 (annual for 2012)

*The indicative course fees shown in Course Search apply to international students studying on-campus in Australia for the relevant year only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.

About the course

This qualification is for workers in children’s services who are responsible for planning, implementing and managing programs in early childhood services, in accordance with licensing, accreditation and duty of care requirements. At this level, workers have responsibility for supervision of other staff and volunteers, and in most states it is the highest qualification required at director or service manager level for children’s service centre-based care.

Course Description:

Work in the childcare field is both demanding and extremely rewarding. Desirable qualities for this work are patience, understanding, imagination, cheerfulness, energy, adaptability, physical fitness and a willingness to take responsibility. The childcare industry is a growth area and demand for qualified childcare workers is growing.

Graduates of the Diploma of Children’s Services may study further to gain higher qualifications in children's services. Childcare graduates may also be eligible for significant credits in Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Social Science (Hawthorn) or Bachelor of Social Science (Lilydale).

Aims & Objectives:

The qualification enables children’s services workers to operate at a qualified level in early childhood education and care, and graded assessment will assist with entry into early childhood degree courses.

Course Structure:

2011 intake

Full-time
On campus classes – two days per week 8:30am to 3:30pm
Industry Based delivery – two days per week – placement in a children’s services setting.
Students holding an international student visa follow the full-time course structure.

Part-time*
On campus classes - one day/evening per week
Industry-based delivery – block placement in a children’s services setting
Students will also be required to attend one Friday/Saturday workshop per term.

Part-time students working in day care centres can usually complete most placements in their own workplace. Part-time students not working in day care centres need to be available to undertake approximately twenty days of placement each year. Most placements can be undertaken on either a two day a week or a four day a week basis.

We also offer an industry group (Fast-track)* study mode where applicants can complete the diploma within 12 months.

For the industry group, you must have:

a Certificate III in Children’s Services qualification;
employment in long day care for a minimum of three full days per week;
availability to work (not float) in a 0-2 room in one semester and 3-5 room in the other semester;
a current Workplace Level 2 Advanced First Aid Certificate Traineeships.

If you are a new employee in a particular childcare service or you are about to commence employment you may be able to combine work with study and undertake your Diploma of Children's Services as a trainee, with the agreement of your employer. Trainees undertake training in the workplace combined with on-campus training.

*International students holding a student visa are required to study full-time and cannot take the fast-track or part-time study modes.

Units of Study:

18 units must be selected for this qualification, including 13 compulsory units and 5 elective units.

CHCCN511A Establish and maintain a safe and healthy environment for children

CHCFC502A Foster physical development in early childhood

CHCFC503A Foster social development in early childhood

CHCFC504A Support emotional and psychological development in early childhood

CHCFC505A Foster cognitive development in early childhood

CHCFC506A Foster children’s language and communication development

CHCIC501A Manage children’s services workplace practice to address regulations and quality assurance

CHCIC510A Establish and implement plans for developing cooperative behaviour

CHCIC512A Plan and implement inclusion of children with additional needs

CHCPR502D Organise experiences to facilitate and enhance children’s development

CHCPR509A Gather, interpret and use information about children

CHCPR510A Design, implement and evaluate programs and care routines for children

CHCRF511A Work in partnership with families to provide appropriate care for children

CHCIC511A Implement and promote inclusive policies and practices in children's services

CHCFC508A Foster children's aesthetic and creative development

CHCORG428A Reflect on and improve own professional practice

CHCIC302A Support Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander families to participate in children's services
CHCPR515A Develop and implement a program to support sustainable practice

Employment Outcomes

Career opportunities:

Employment is generally found as a fully qualified professional in early childhood services where you are responsible for education and care for children under six years of age.

Professional recognition:

This nationally accredited course allows domestic graduates the opportunity to apply for work throughout Australia and overseas.

How To Apply

How to apply:

Apply for this course by following the step-by-step process on our How to Apply page.

English Language Requirements:

Satisfactory completion of the Swinburne College English for Academic Purposes Upper Intermediate level certificate at the Pathways level (EAP 4: Pathways -60%); OR, obtaining a minimum IELTS overall band of 5.5 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 5.0; OR, a TOEFL (Paper-based) minimum score of 527 (with a Test of Written English (TWE) score of 4.5); OR, a TOEFL Computer-based) minimum score of 196 (with Written Writing score of 4.5); OR, a TOEFL (Internet-based) minimum score of 71 with no band less than 18.

Refer to the English Language Requirements website for further information.

Special entry requirements:

To graduate from this course you will need to complete practical placement. Practical placement provides unpaid work experience

Students are usually placed with community services agencies which may require a police clearance . You are advised to obtain a police check and/or working with children check prior to commencing the course.

Find Out More

For further information:

Enquire online: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/international/enquiry

Email: international@swinburne.edu.au

Phone:
+613 8676 7002 (outside Australia)
Freecall 1800 897 973 (within Australia)

Information Sessions:

Visit our Meet Us page to see when we are visiting your home country (or here in Australia)

Scholarships:

A range of scholarships is available to international students, visit our Scholarship Page for details.