Quality child care is in demand and the industry needs greater numbers of qualified children’s services workers. What this means for the qualified early childhood educator, is that employment prospects are excellent.
Employment opportunities are many and varied as the need for childcare, vacation care and after school care workers continues to increase.
Find out more about what's on offer at Bedford College, including detailed information about the courses you can study, by downloading our course guide.
Download our Course Guide
Please select from below for the information on each course.
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.
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:
We can also make flexible part-time arrangements if you choose to study at a slower pace.
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.
‘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.
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 the supervision of volunteers or other staff. This course provides participants with both theoretical and practical skills and knowledge.
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.
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 the 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.
CHC50113
February, April, July and October
40 Weeks
28 Units (subjects)
081411K
52 Weeks
Glebe and Norwest
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 Diploma of School Age Education and Care course was added to our courses in 2015.
The Diploma of School Aged Education and 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.
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 course format is as follows:
We can also make flexible part-time arrangements if you choose to study at a slower pace.
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.
‘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.
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.
CHC50213
February, April, July and October
40 Weeks
25 Units (subjects)
087912G
50-52 Weeks
Glebe and Norwest
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.
‘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.
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.
CHC50113 & CHC50213
February, April, July and October
44 Weeks
081411K & 087912G
52 Weeks
Glebe and Norwest
Graduates with a Certificate III in Early Education can work in a range of early childhood education settings. Career pathways involve working within the requirements of the Education and Care Services National Regulations and the National Quality Standard. Early Childhood workers 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.
We can also make flexible part-time arrangements if you choose to study at a slower pace.
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.
‘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.
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.
Depending on the setting, educators may work under direct supervision or autonomously. Graduates will be qualified to work as:
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
February, April, July and October
20 Weeks
18 Units (subjects)
15 core units and 3 elective units
081410M
26 Weeks
Glebe and Norwest
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.
‘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.
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.
CHC50113
February, April, July and October
24 Weeks
081411K
30 Weeks
Glebe and Norwest
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.
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:
We can also make flexible part-time arrangements if you choose to study at a slower pace.
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.
‘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.
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 the supervision of volunteers or other staff. This course provides participants with both theoretical and practical skills and knowledge.
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.
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 the 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.
CHC50113
February, April, July and October
40 Weeks
28 Units (subjects)
081411K
52 Weeks
Glebe and Norwest
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 Diploma of School Age Education and Care course was added to our courses in 2015.
The Diploma of School Aged Education and 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.
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 course format is as follows:
We can also make flexible part-time arrangements if you choose to study at a slower pace.
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.
‘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.
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.
CHC50213
February, April, July and October
40 Weeks
25 Units (subjects)
087912G
50-52 Weeks
Glebe and Norwest
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.
‘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.
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.
CHC50113 & CHC50213
February, April, July and October
44 Weeks
081411K & 087912G
52 Weeks
Glebe and Norwest
Graduates with a Certificate III in Early Education can work in a range of early childhood education settings. Career pathways involve working within the requirements of the Education and Care Services National Regulations and the National Quality Standard. Early Childhood workers 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.
We can also make flexible part-time arrangements if you choose to study at a slower pace.
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.
‘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.
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.
Depending on the setting, educators may work under direct supervision or autonomously. Graduates will be qualified to work as:
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
February, April, July and October
20 Weeks
18 Units (subjects)
15 core units and 3 elective units
081410M
26 Weeks
Glebe and Norwest
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.
‘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.
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.
CHC50113
February, April, July and October
24 Weeks
081411K
30 Weeks
Glebe and Norwest
For over 70 years, Bedford College has provided students with leading vocational training. Our industry connections and formal university pathways provide you with ‘the edge’ in employment and further education success.
Students who successfully complete the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care or a Diploma of School Aged Education and Care courses have automatic entry (with ONE YEAR credit) into a Bachelor of Teaching or Bachelor of Education Degree at university.
See the University Pathways section for more information. Our university articulation partnerships are consistently changing, please contact the College for the latest information.
Enrol now 
Enquire Now 
Course Guide