DIPLOMA OF CHILDREN'S SERVICES (EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE) - CHC50908 Distance Learning Course
Description
This qualification covers 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
• In most states it is the highest qualification required at director or service manager level for children’s service centre-based care.
It is noted that whilst this qualification equips workers to work with children from 0-5 years of age, some workplaces and jurisdictions require workers to have skills and knowledge to work with children in both early and middle childhood (i.e. aged 0-12 years).
Where workers are required to work across the span of development from 0-12 years, candidates should receive training and/or assessment across this broader span of development and in addition to the qualification, be awarded a Statement of Attainment for achievement of the Middle childhood development skill set.
Duration and Study Modes
2 Years maximum duration (no minimum) - Self Paced Distance Learning with Vocational Placement record book to be completed.
IMPORTANT: It is important to understand that you have 2 years from your formal date of your enrolment to complete all course units and submit them for grading. During this period distance learning students have the option of purchasing and completing the course in full or by individual course units. Students must meet the academic requirements of the course to maintain their enrolment status. Students can request for course extensions in writing. This must be received by the course assessor prior to the 2 year) expiry date.
Fees
Domestic Students Tuition Fees: here
International Students Tution Fees: here
Course Structure - Distance learning and vocational placement.
The entire distance learning courses for Children’s Services are divided into two areas, theory and practicum (training in the field). Distance learning students receive two types of course resource;
• Course resources to complete the theory based study
• Vocational Placement Record Book (to record your training in the child care centre)
Theory Based Component
The theory based course resources cover all units required by the community services training package listed on the National Training Information Service (NTIS). The resources cover easy to read course information supported by interesting activities and assessments to complete and submit to your assessors at the College.
Once all of the set units have been competently completed you only have to finish your vocational field placement. This can be performed during or after the theory part of the course. The College cannot sign off on a student’s qualification until both theory and vocational assessments have been completed. (Competency Based Training – CBT)
Vocational Field Placement Book
The second resource is the Vocational Field Placement Record Book. New students receive the College’s Vocational Field Placement Record Book to ensure students meet all the set performance criteria set by the training package.
About Vocational Placement
Vocational placement is where a student is placed in a workplace to receive practical training and experience as part of the training program. The assessment of competence in the workplace is a requirement of a vocational placement. Our students are required to establish a relationship with a current trainer/assessor or supervisor in the vocational field of Child Care to assess your understanding of the course. The College Vocational Field Placement Record Book ensures your learning is on track and enables you and your trainer/ assessor to maintain accurate, consistent course performance objectives.
The Australian College of Early Childhood Education places a strong emphasis on taking students from a theory based classroom environment to real child care centres. As all child care employers seek graduates with industry training experience, this part of the course is crucial.
Vocational Placement Options
There are 2 methods for students to gain their vocational placement hours.
Option 1 - Is to nominate a child care centre of your choice. You may be outside the Gold Coast area and may wish to select a centre closer to your place of residence. You may already know someone working at a centre or may have already performed some volunteer work at a centre and now want to complete a qualification. This is known as third party assessment where the child care centre director or a suitably qualified and experienced child care staff member can act as a mentor to the student and sign off on the student having competently completed the set performance criteria.
Option 2 - Gold Coast based students have the option of performing their vocational training at Smarter Kids Kindergartens and Preschools. The main emphasis for students is convenience and quality of vocational placement. These centres are listed in the Vocational Field Placement Record Book or you can visit their web site at: www.smarterkids.com.au
How do I organise my field placement?
Students are to phone and introduce themselves to the Child Care Centre Director and make an appointment to see him/her before commencement of vocational training. Learn how best you can fit in with Centre staff and routines. The Centre Director then has to sign the provided Vocational Placement Agreement form as the Industry Placement Person for the student. Students are expected to perform vocational training normal shift hours (8 hours plus half hour lunch break) early or late and at the Director's discretion.
What happens when I have nominated my Child Care Centre?
Once you have nominated a centre and confirmed your placement with a Child Care Centre’s Director or with us at Smarter Kids, a suitable training schedule and industry mentor/ assessor must be assigned. The training schedule is provided by us in the Vocational Field Placement Record Book and allows your nominated centres’ mentor to review and sign off on your specific performance criteria (assessment tasks) when completed. This vocational assessment book is provided with your course and is a requirement on the Community Services Training Package in accordance with your level of qualification.
Distance Learning – Academic Progress
Academic progress must be maintained. Distance learning students studying their course by the unit or in full will both be granted a 2 year enrolment period. However the monitoring of academic progress is different for both.
Studying by the Unit
To maintain academic performance, student's have 2 months to complete their theory based assessment items. Failure to submit all theory based assessment items in this period can result in the student’s enrolment being cancelled.
This does not include the Vocational Placement for the unit which can be performed anytime within the entire 2 year enrolment period. Students cannot be graded as competent for the unit until they have competently completed both theory and Vocational Placement assessment items for the unit.
Students struggling to meet the 2 month deadline may apply for a 2 week extension in writing which will be reviewed by the trainer/ assessor. A determination will be made and the student advised. All correspondence will be recorded on the student’s files.
Study Course in Full
Students who have paid and enrolled in the full course have a full 2 year period to complete their studies with the 2 month academic progress monitoring not applicable.
When do I receive my qualification?
Once you have competently completed all the written theory for all units of the course and have returned your completed Vocational Field Placement Record Book your assessments reviewed our assessors. Once completed the Chief Executive Officer signs off on the qualification and the student is then awarded the national qualification they have completed.
What if I only complete half of the course?
If you decide to withdraw half way through the course you must submit your vocational placement training book for review at the College. This will allow College assessors to combine the theory and filed placement units competently completed. Students having competently completing some units of the qualifications will be issued with an academic transcript listing the units the student received a competent grading. The remaining units in the academic transcript will be listed as not yet competent. Once both are received and assessed, you will receive a mark of competent for those elected units.
Do I keep my Vocational Placement Record Book?
Vocational Field Placement Record Book is a critical piece of assessment evidence that you should always keep in a safe place and even make copies for safe keeping. The College must keep an original copy of your Vocational Field Placement Record Book on your student file for State and Federal auditing purposes. If you wish to keep a copy it is strongly recommended that you take a copy of the student handbook and then have the copy signed by a Justice of the Peace or Commissioner of Declarations as having sighted the original.
Distance Learning Study Advantages
• Self paced individual study to accommodate lifestyle
• Industry experienced and qualified teacher support
• Can enrol at any time
• Fast Track study option
• Study the unit online all the time – not by term, semester or year
• Discounts for purchasing entire course
• Maintain current work responsibilities and income while studying
• Field (work place) mentoring and assessment record book provided
Career opportunities
• Authorised supervisor (children’s services)
• Centre manager (children’s services)
• Child care worker
• Children’s adviser
• Children’s service director / manager
• Children’s services coordinator
• Director (children’s services)
• Program leader (children’s services)
• Child development worker
• Group/team coordinator/leader (children’s services)
* Depending on jurisdiction. Some jurisdictions require CHC40402 Certificate IV in Out of School Hours Care
Course Prerequisites
To gain entry into CHC50908 Diploma of Children’s Services (Early childhood education and care) candidates must demonstrate competence through a recognised training program or recognition process, in the following units of competency:
- CHCCHILD401A Identify and respond to children and young people at risk
- CHCCN301A Ensure the health and safety of children
- CHCCN302A Provide care for children
- CHCCN303A Contribute to provision of nutritionally balanced food in a safe and hygienic manner
- CHCCN305A Provide care for babies
- CHCCS400A Work within a relevant legal and ethical framework
- CHCFC301A Support the development of children
- CHCIC301D Interact effectively with children
- CHCPR301A Provide experiences to support children’s play and learning
- CHCPR303D Develop understanding of children’s interests and developmental needs
- HLTFA301B Apply first aid
- HLTOHS300A Contribute to OHS processes
Students must demonstrate an interest in and suitability for work in the children’s services field with the ability to be responsible for the care of children. Applicants must also possess the study skills to complete the formal study program, the physical, mental and emotional health to interact positively with children and parents.
Entry requirements
• Satisfactory completion of an appropriate Year 10 or its equivalent or mature age. No previous knowledge is assumed for students of these units.
• Basic entry level computer skills (ability to word process,write and read emails and internet)
English Proficiency Level - English Level of IELTS 6.0 or equivalent.
Units of competency to be achieved
A total of 18 units of competency are required for the award of Diploma in Community Services (Children’s Services).
- 13 core (C) units & 5 elective (E) units
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- Total course industry placement 240 hrs – Smarter Kids Kindergartens and Preschool
- Course Total: 1200 Nominal Hours
- Core 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
- Elective Units:
CHCORG506C Co-ordinate the work environment
- CHCFC508A Foster children’s aesthetic and creative development
- CHCFC507A Use music to enhance children’s experience and development
- CHCIC511A Implement and promote inclusive policies and practices in children’s services
- HLTOHS400A Maintain OHS processes
Credit Transfer
Credit will be given to any applicant who has successfully completed modules/units of competency which give the equivalence into training programs offered by the Australian College of Early Childhood Education and which have been gained with another recognised training organisation. You will need to produce your original statement of attainment or a certified copy for our records. (RCC)
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
What is Recognition of Prior Learning? - The acknowledgement of the full range of an individual's skills and knowledge acquired from previous industry skills. This means that you may be able to receive recognition for any units you may have acquired, regardless of where or how you acquired them. For example, you may have completed a formal training program at a College or University, or you may have acquired them through on-the-job training or even through some hobbies or community work in which you have been engaged. Additional RPL information – Click here
Course Dates
College Timetable - click
Distance Learning – No set dates
How to Enrol - Click Here
Applicants should apply directly to Study Solutions Australia by:
1 - Australian College of Early Childhood Education
Easy T Centre
510 Christine Ave
Robina
Qld, 4226 map
2 - Complete the Online Application Form.
- Click Here
Further information please contacts:
Student Applications and Enrolments
Email: applications@studysolutions,qld.edu.au
General Questions - Student Support Services
Email: studentservices@studysolutions.qld.edu.au
Accounts and Payments
accounts@studysolutions.qld.edu.au
