Certificate III is the basic diploma in Childcare. The course is taught over nine months full time. Part time study can be spread over two years. The course contains 11 core units that instruct on creating safe environments for children, establishing good nutrition and hygiene standards, engaging effective interaction with children, identifying children at risk, child development and the legal and ethical frameworks of daycare centers. Students are also expected to pass a first aid course.
Practical placements are required and the students are expected to undertake a full police check before beginning their practical placement. Graduates can expect to gain entry-level employment in daycare centers with a Certificate III in Children's Services.
The Diploma course also incorporates the coursework of Certificate III. Taught over two years based on a full time course load, it educates students in the social, psychological and cognitive development of children. Students will learn how to design, implement and evaluate programs and care routines for children. They will also learn how to implement strategies to ensure the inclusion of children with additional needs and to accommodate ethic diversity.
Graduates are qualified to work in the following roles: center manager, service director/manager, director of services, services coordinator, program leader and child development worker.
Certificate IV is taught over 12 months on full-time basis and incorporates the elements of Certificate III with the addition of training students how to properly manage before and after-school activities. Graduates can work with babies and children up to 12 years old within school hours as well as outside school hours and vacation time.
Certificate III is a prerequisite for this course and graduates with this certificate may be eligible to continue their education at the university level, or advance to the diploma.
This course delivers everything the Diploma of Children's Services (Early Childhood Education and Care) offers, with the addition of training to serve children outside school hours. Graduates are eligible for management and director roles that require after-school care for children.
A full time childcare worker can expect to earn $25,800. Team leaders can earn around $35,800. Directors of services can earn around $46,000 per annum. TAFE South Australia expect employment opportunities in this field to grow strongly on into 2015. The demand for qualified care workers is expected to continue.