Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care – Government Funded Course | MCFE

CHC50121

Diploma Early Childhood Education and Care

CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

Overview

The Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care reflects the role of educators in early childhood education and care who work in regulated children’s education and care services in Australia. Educators at the diploma of childcare level are responsible for designing and implementing curriculum that meets the requirements of an approved learning framework and for maintaining compliance in other areas of service operations. Childcare educators that hold their diploma may have responsibility for supervision of volunteers or other educators, they may become room leaders, centre directors, family day carers and move into other senior positions.

To undertake the CHC5021 – Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, you must First successfully hold either the CHC30113 – Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care or the CHC30121 – Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care qualification. MCFE provides the government funded diploma of childcare for eligible individuals.

MCFE offers a range of flexible and supportive study options, including the self-paced model that allows you to study at your own speed, as well as class-based delivery with live online classes or face-to-face classes.

For more information on all available flexible study options, refer to the details on delivery and assessment below.

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	Course	CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
	Delivery Options	Classroom based: Face-to-Face Theory + Placement Class-based Blended: Online Zoom classes + Placement Self-Paced Model: Online Theory + Placement (available from May 2025) Traineeship
	Start Date	Refer to our timetable for next class start dates. Self-paced model available from May 2025.
	Duration	Up to 15 months dependent on delivery model and student commitment.

Payment plans available and discounts for up-front payments.

Tuition fees and funding

Category	Tuition Fee	Payment Plan
Tuition Fees	$3,900	Payment Plan - $78 per week for 50 weeks Pay upfront for each group and get 10% Off
Enrolment Fee	$100	Paid at enrolment (not refundable)
Traineeship	$4,900	$500 Enrolment Fee + $4,400 Tuition Fee paid in instalments

Statement of Fees and Charges
To determine all applicable fees for your course please download the current statement of fees from our “Fees & Funding” page. Generally, most courses will incur a $100 enrolment fee to secure your booking, plus the applicable course tuition fees. Some courses will also include material fees, however these are generally only charged for students requesting paper assessments. The statement of fees and charges will explain payment plan options, the refund policy, and other fees and charges you could incur, such as fees for course extensions, class swaps, academic misconduct and reassessment.

Tuition fees
The course tuition fees are GST free and fee category/amount charged depends upon whether you are eligible for a Government subsidy, with funds made available by the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments. Only one category of fees above will apply to your enrolment. Payment plans may be available for your tuition fees.

Skills First Funding
You may be eligible for a government-subsidised place through the Skills First Funding Program. If the course has access to funding and you are eligible, the government will contribute to the cost of your training. There are limitations to using Victorian government funding, you need to make sure you are using your funding for the right course, as it may affect your access to future government funding. Check your eligibility now. Government funded places are limited each calendar year, when our allocated places are used you will still be able to enrol as a fee for service student, not all courses will have access to Skills First Funding.

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Intake dates and locations

View Our Timetable

Job outcomes and further study pathways

There are many diverse roles waiting for you after completing a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.

Job Outcomes

Educational leader
Family day care Coordinator
Centre Manager
Supervisor

Further study

Some universities offer credit from the Diploma qualification to enrol into a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education.

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Entry requirements

To enrol in this course the following entry criteria apply:

Application	Participate in a Pre-Training Review Enrolment Form
Digital Literacy	Access to a computer or smart device and the internet Intermediate digital literacy skills navigate the internet use word upload and download make online bookings complete online assessments on a learning management system use email
Language Literacy and Numeracy	AQF Level 4
Pre-requisites	Must hold the qualification code & title: CHC30113 Certificate III Early Childhood Education and Care, OR, CHC30121 Certificate III Early Childhood Education and Care
Availability	Class-based: One day a week for 5 hours Ability to undertake 280 hours practical placement at a regulated children's service
Self-paced model	Must be working in a centre in the role of an Educator to undertake the self-paced model (Family Day Care will not be suitable)

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Delivery and assessment

	Class-based (Face-to-face or Blended) - 29 Sessions 29 X 5 Hour Theory Sessions 280 hours practical placement 2 X 2 Hour Assessor Workplace Visit Recommended 15 hours of self-paced learning per week average duration 12 months
	Enhanced Blended Model - 37 Sessions 37 X 5 Hour Live Online Theory Sessions (extra support) 280 hours practical placement 2 X 2 Hour Assessor Workplace Visit Recommended 15 hours of self-paced learning per week average duration 15 months
	Self-paced Model (Available from May 2025) You must be employed as an Educator to enrol into the self-paced model Self-paced theory - study plans available for 10 month fast track or 14 month standard duration 280 hours practical placement 2 X 2 Hour Assessor Workplace Visit Self -paced learning per week depends on duration, averages 15-25 average duration 14 months
	Assessment Online Theory questions in Canvas our Learning Management System Projects Observations of skills and oral questions in the workplace Log book
	Practical Placement 280 hours of practical placement at a regulated children's service Placement commences at the start of your course You must leave enough placement hours to cover time required to complete visits after all classes have been completed Meet industry working with children check Ability to travel to placement Travel fees will apply for visits over 50km from head office

Unit Code	Unit Title	Core or Elective
CHCECE044	Facilitate compliance in a children’s education and care service	Core
CHCECE041	Maintain a safe and healthy environment for children	Core
CHCECE049	Embed environmental responsibility in service operations	Core
CHCPRP003	Reflect on and improve professional practice	Core
BSBPEF502	Develop and use emotional intelligence	Elective
BSBTWK502	Manage team effectiveness	Core
CHCDIV003	Manage and promote diversity	Elective
CHCECE042	Foster holistic early childhood learning, development and wellbeing	Core
CHCECE050	Work in partnership with children’s families	Core
CHCINM002	Meet community information needs	Elective
CHCECE045	Foster positive and respectful interactions and behaviour in children	Core
CHCECE046	Implement strategies for the inclusion of all children	Core
CHCECE048	Plan and implement children’s education and care program	Core
CHCECE047	Analyse information to inform children’s learning	Core
CHCECE043	Nurture creativity in children	Core

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Further Information

Fees and funding

This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding. The course fees/costs depend upon eligibility for a Government subsidy, via the Skills First Funding Program. Using a funded place can affect your access to future funding. If you are not eligible for funding the course fees will be the “Fee for Service” rate.

Student Handbook

Please read the MCFE student handbook here, which includes:

Application Pre-training review and enrolment process; including USI information
Fees and charges/statement of fees; including refunds, concession, eligibility for Skills First Funding, and how this can affect future enrolments in funded courses
Privacy statements
Student support
Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer options
Online service standards
Assessment methods and instructions
Job and employment
Code of conduct
Complaints and appeals
Completions & certificates
Deferrals and withdrawals
Third parties that may be relevant to my enrolment

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Locations

Our nationally accredited courses are available to everyone in Melbourne and surrounds. Here are a few suburbs to name a few where some of our students have come from:

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