Degree Pathway: Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (108535E) + Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (108537C) + Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Care (Birth-5) (075653J) - 5 years - Glendale

TAFE NSW's Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care is designed for students who want to make a difference in the lives of children (aged 0 to 5) as a childcare support worker or early childhood educator.

Students will work with children during a critical time in their development and gain the essential skills and knowledge to have a positive impact on their future.

TAFE NSW's extensive industry partnerships enable students to learn in a real workplace with experts in the field. Students will learn how to provide safe, meaningful and inclusive education in a fun and playful setting and how to honour children’s voice, culture and rights. This program equips students with specialised skills in childhood development to become an educational leader, supervisor or manager in early childhood education and care.

Students will graduate with the ability to lead teams and be able to design, implement and evaluate education programs. Advance their knowledge and professional practice in providing safe, meaningful and inclusive care and education, and mentor others to deliver innovative programs for young children.

At TAFE NSW, students will study with teachers who are experts in this field and benefit from work placement with TAFE NSW's leading industry partners. The program aims to develop early childhood teachers who can integrate theoretical knowledge into practical education and care skills in the workplace.

There is a strong, applied learning focus to this degree so that when students graduate, they'll be prepared to work with children in a variety of settings, including long day care, preschool, integrated child and family services and early intervention services. The academic and theoretical content is supplemented by work experience, which will allow students to apply what they've learned in a real world environment. Students will study child development and pedagogical practices, ethics, diversity and social justice. During their work placement, they will have the opportunity to test their theoretical understanding in a real workplace.

The four-year degree offers: • Experience in the workplace. Students will complete eight separate professional experience placements throughout the program. These will be in the form of block placements for 5 days a week for 2 to 4 weeks in each semester of study. This will give students an outstanding opportunity to put the knowledge they have acquired into practice. • A multidisciplinary approach. Students will gain practical skills with a strong theoretical underpinning. Students will reflect on their practical experiences as they learn. • A supportive learning environment. Students will learn in small classes and enjoy learning from experienced, qualified teachers. TAFE NSW understands the learning needs of its students and has developed its teaching style accordingly. • An industry-recognised qualification that will allow students to work as an early childhood teacher in Australia. Please refer to the Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority website for further information. • Graduates of TAFE NSW bachelor degree have been successful in their assessment for skilled migration by AITSL. • A positive assessment by AITSL requires applicants to meet criteria additional to the qualification. • Each application is assessed on its merits against the assessment criteria for the nominated occupation.