Children's Services and Child Care Courses

Bedford College is the leader in early childhood education and care training. Universities and employers agree that Bedford graduates set the benchmark by which early childhood education graduates are measured.

During our Early Childhood Education and Care course, Bedford students undertake almost twice the practicum hours of students from other training organisations. This means that they have loads of practical experience to back up the theoretical knowledge and skills that they learn at College. (See course structure below). Also see Course Outcome below for information on career options for Early Childhood Education and Care graduates.

Note: Graduates who complete the ECEC (CHC50113) course have the qualification required to work in a childcare setting with children from 0-5 years old.

Course Structure

The courses consist of a number of competencies (units) which when packaged together provide participants with theoretical and practical knowledge which will enable them to carry out a range of tasks from introductory/intermediate levels (Cert III) to more advanced/management level functions (Diploma).

Children’s Services courses at Bedford are run differently than those at other training providers. The courses format is as follows:

• 3 days per week from 9am-3pm – at College (Glebe or Norwest)
• 1 day per week (minimum of 7.5 hours per day) – in a registered child care facility (during terms 1, 2 & 3)
• 5 hours per week in the online classroom (term 4 only)
• 2×2 week blocks in a Child Care Centre at the end of Terms 2 & 3 (Monday-Friday = 4 full weeks).

We can also make flexible part-time arrangements if you choose to study at a slower pace.

Practicum Placement Requirement

Our Practicum Coordinator will assist students in locating a suitable practicum centre and will liaise with Centre Managers/Supervisors and monitor and assess students during practicum sessions.

• 240 hours of work placement in a registered child care facility is mandatory for the diploma qualifications.

First Aid Course

‘HLTAID004 – Provide an emergency first aid response in an education and care setting’ is a mandatory unit in all early childhood education courses. This unit is delivered at the College by a specialist first aid training company and is additional to the cost of the tuition fees. Students may undertake this unit externally if preferred.

Course Outcomes

This qualification reflects the role of early childhood educators who are responsible for designing and implementing curriculum in early childhood education and care services. In doing so they work to implement an approved learning framework within the requirements of the Education and Care Services National Regulations and the National Quality Standard.

They may have responsibility for supervision of volunteers or other staff. This course provides participants with both theoretical and practical skills and knowledge.

Supervised Study Period

A FREE Supervised Study Period is offered to all students from Monday-Wednesday between 3pm and 4pm. This is the time when students can have one-on-one time with the teacher in order to discuss, revise, clarify or to catch up on missed work.

Our specialised training methods ensure that students are provided with exceptional skills and knowledge in both the theory and the practical components of the children’s services industry.

University Pathways

Students who successfully complete the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care course will receive automatic entry (with up to 1.5 years credit) into B.Early Childhood/Teaching degree at university and may also choose to undertake further study to include the B.Teaching (Primary Education).

See University Pathways section for more information.

Please Note:
A Working With Children Check is a prerequisite for anyone working in child-related work. It involves a national criminal history check and review of findings of workplace misconduct.

Students wishing to enrol in an Early Childhood Education course should be aware that if you are unable to satisfy the requirements of the Working With Children Check you will be unable to obtain work in the childcare sector.

Over the years, many Bedford Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) graduates have gone on to work in Out of School Hours (OOSH) or Vacation Care settings. With this in mind, the School Age Education and Care course has been added to our courses in 2015.

The Diploma of School Aged Care provides participants with the qualification to work with children from 5 to 12 years old. This includes Out of School Hours (OOSH) – vacation care & before/after school care – child-minding facilities, gyms, cruise-ships, etc. (See course structure).

Course Structure

The courses consist of a number of competencies (units) which when packaged together provide participants with theoretical and practical knowledge which will enable them to carry out a range of tasks from introductory/intermediate levels (Cert III) to more advanced/management level functions (Diploma).

Children’s Services courses at Bedford are run differently than those at other training providers. The courses format is as follows:

• 3 days per week from 9am-3pm – at College (Glebe or Norwest)
• 1 day per week (minimum of 7.5 hours per day) – in a registered child care facility (during terms 1, 2 & 3)
• 5 hours per week in the online classroom (term 4 only)
• 2×2 week blocks in a Child Care Centre at the end of Terms 2 & 3 (Monday-Friday = 4 full weeks).

We can also make flexible part-time arrangements if you choose to study at a slower pace.

Practicum Placement Requirement

Our Practicum Coordinator will assist students in locating a suitable practicum centre and will liaise with Centre Managers/Supervisors and monitor and assess students during practicum sessions.

• 240 hours of work placement in a registered child care facility is mandatory for the diploma qualifications.

First Aid Course

‘HLTAID004 – Provide an emergency first aid response in an education and care setting’ is a mandatory unit in all early childhood education courses. This unit is delivered at the College by a specialist first aid training company and is additional to the cost of the tuition fees. Students may undertake this unit externally if preferred.

Supervised Study Period

A FREE Supervised Study Period is offered to all students from Monday-Wednesday between 3pm and 4pm. This is the time when students can have one-on-one time with the teacher in order to discuss, revise, clarify or to catch up on missed work.

Our specialised training methods ensure that students are provided with exceptional skills and knowledge in both the theory and the practical components of the children’s services industry.

Course Outcomes

• Responsible for the day-to-day running of before and after school care centre
• Responsible for the day-to-day running of vacation care cemtre
• Responsible for the day-to-day running of a childrens’ services setting including: cruise ships, resorts, crèches, etc.
• Nanny/Au pair – National and International

Please Note:
A Working With Children Check is a prerequisite for anyone working in child-related work. It involves a national criminal history check and review of findings of workplace misconduct.

Students wishing to enrol in an Early Childhood Education course should be aware that if you are unable to satisfy the requirements of the Working With Children Check you will be unable to obtain work in the childcare sector.

The combination of the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care and the Diploma of School Age Education and Care dramatically increases career and employment opportunities for graduates. The two diplomas provide the qualifications, skills and knowledge for individuals to work with children from birth – 12 years old.

We can make flexible part-time arrangements if you choose to study at a slower pace.

First Aid Course

‘HLTAID004 – Provide an emergency first aid response in an education and care setting’ is a mandatory unit in all early childhood education courses. This unit is delivered at the College by a specialist first aid training company and is additional to the cost of the tuition fees. Students may undertake this unit externally if preferred.

Supervised Study Period

A FREE Supervised Study Period is offered to all students from Monday-Wednesday between 3pm and 4pm. This is the time when students can have one-on-one time with the teacher in order to discuss, revise, clarify or to catch up on missed work.

Our specialised training methods ensure that students are provided with exceptional skills and knowledge in both the theory and the practical components of the children’s services industry.

Please Note:
A Working With Children Check is a prerequisite for anyone working in child-related work. It involves a national criminal history check and review of findings of workplace misconduct.

Students wishing to enrol in an Early Childhood Education course should be aware that if you are unable to satisfy the requirements of the Working With Children Check you will be unable to obtain work in the childcare sector.

This qualification reflects the role of workers in a range of early childhood education settings who work within the requirements of the Education and Care Services National Regulations and the National Quality Standard. They support the implementation of an approved learning framework, and support children’s well-being, learning and development. Depending on the setting, educators may work under direct supervision or autonomously.

Course Structure

• 3 days per week from 9am-3pm – at College (Glebe or Norwest)
• 1 day per week (minimum of 7.5 hours per day) – in a registered child care facility (during terms 1 & 2)
• 5 hours per week in the online classroom (term 2 only)
• 1×2 week blocks in a Child Care Centre at the end of Terms 2 & 3 (Monday-Friday)

We can also make flexible part-time arrangements if you choose to study at a slower pace.

Practicum Placement Requirement

Our Practicum Coordinator will assist students in locating a suitable practicum centre and will liaise with Centre Managers/Supervisors and monitor and assess students during practicum sessions.

• 120 hours of work placement in a registered child care facility is mandatory for the Cert III qualification.

First Aid Course

‘HLTAID004 – Provide an emergency first aid response in an education and care setting’ is a mandatory unit in all early childhood education courses. This unit is delivered at the College by a specialist first aid training company and is additional to the cost of the tuition fees. Students may undertake this unit externally if preferred.

Supervised Study Period

A FREE Supervised Study Period is offered to all students from Monday-Wednesday between 3pm and 4pm. This is the time when students can have one-on-one time with the teacher in order to discuss, revise, clarify or to catch up on missed work.

Our specialised training methods ensure that students are provided with exceptional skills and knowledge in both the theory and the practical components of the children’s services industry.

Course Outcomes

Depending on the setting, educators may work under direct supervision or autonomously. Graduates will be qualified to work as:

• Early Childhood Educator Assistant
• Outside School Hours (OOSH) Care Assistant
• Playgroup Supervisor
• Recreation Assistant
• Family Day Care Worker
• Nanny/Au Pair (National and International)
• Mobile Assistant

Please Note:
A Working With Children Check is a prerequisite for anyone working in child-related work. It involves a national criminal history check and review of findings of workplace misconduct.

Students wishing to enrol in an Early Childhood Education course should be aware that if you are unable to satisfy the requirements of the Working With Children Check you will be unable to obtain work in the childcare sector.

CHC30113 – Certificate III in Early Childhood Education & Care to
CHC50113 – Diploma of Early Childhood Education & Care

We can also make flexible part-time arrangements if you choose to study at a slower pace.

First Aid Course

‘HLTAID004 – Provide an emergency first aid response in an education and care setting’ is a mandatory unit in all early childhood education courses. This unit is delivered at the College by a specialist first aid training company and is additional to the cost of the tuition fees. Students may undertake this unit externally if preferred.

Supervised Study Period

A FREE Supervised Study Period is offered to all students from Monday-Wednesday between 3pm and 4pm. This is the time when students can have one-on-one time with the teacher in order to discuss, revise, clarify or to catch up on missed work.

Our specialised training methods ensure that students are provided with exceptional skills and knowledge in both the theory and the practical components of the children’s services industry.

Please Note:
A Working With Children Check is a prerequisite for anyone working in child-related work. It involves a national criminal history check and review of findings of workplace misconduct.

Students wishing to enrol in an Early Childhood Education course should be aware that if you are unable to satisfy the requirements of the Working With Children Check you will be unable to obtain work in the childcare sector.