Courses - Certificate III in Children's Services
Diploma in Children’s Services Congratulations for considering a career in a fantastic industry working with Children!
You are considering a career in the industry of Childcare, one of the fastest growing industries in the country!
This career choice is an incredible journey, which will take you all over the world and provide you with opportunities to become an integral part of Early Childhood Professionals.
- Are you genuinely interested in the various development stages of children?
- Are you strong, creative and have great organisational skills?
- Are you dynamic, flexible and spontaneous?
- Are you open to continuous methods of professional development and training?
- Do you respond patiently and lovingly to children?
Does this sound like you?? Yes!!
These are the important personality strengths of a passionate child care professional.
Advanced Careers College trainers are passionate about this industry. Our expertise in training and development will give you the best possible opportunity to achieve your personal goal and gain employment in a wide variety of workplaces.
Child Care Industry
The child care industry consists of a broad range of settings where children, ranging from infancy to 12 years, are cared for by people other than their parents. Some 23 percent of all Australian children under 12 years of age are involved in formal care arrangements.
Formal care arrangements include Before and After School Care Programs, Preschool/Kindergarten, Long Day Care Centres, Family Day Care, Occasional Day Care and other situations. Formal care is regulated and occurs away from the child’s home.
The child care industry well defined and is an industry that is experiencing steady and continuous growth. This growth in child care is consistent with demographic patterns relating to the employment of women with dependent children. The increasing demand for child care has resulted in an increasing need for qualified child care workers and a subsequent expansion of training.
The Diploma provides study and practical knowledge in:
- Child Development
- Relationships with families
- Design and provision of play
- Workplace participation
- Ethical and legal frameworks
In the centre-based sector, legislative requirements govern the ratio of qualified staff to children of varying ages, depending on the centre’s licensed members. All centre employees must have a basic qualification in child care/child development, and Senior First Aid and undergo a Working with Children Check.
Personal Requirements
- Childcare workers need to be alert, observant, active and able to lift and carry children and play equipment.
- Childcare workers must be willing to accept responsibility and to work co-operatively with others.
- Childcare workers must be able to use judgement and initiative.
- Childcare workers must be able to communicate well both with children and adults.
- Childcare workers must have a thorough understanding of child development and developmentally appropriate practice.
Course Requirements
- Minimum completion of HSC or equivalent
- Interest in dealing with and caring for children
- Appropriate references
- Must be able to read, comprehend and write complex information in English
- Personal interviews (if less than 18 years old with a parent/guardian preferred)
- Successful completion of literacy/numeracy assessment
Employment Opportunities
The Diploma of Children’s Services is part of a suite of courses which provides a comprehensive package of training to meet the needs of the Children’s Service Industry up to AQF (Australian Qualifications Framework) Level 5. The Diploma is designed to meet the needs of students seeking to join the industry, as well as people currently employed in the industry who are seeking to upgrade their qualifications or skill base.
The Diploma of Children’s Services is accepted in the industry as a Qualified Team Leader in children’s services, including supervision of staff, responsibility for planning, implementation and monitoring of the quality of the service provider.
This qualification will enable you to work in the following roles:
- Childcare worker – qualified
- Service manager
- Team leader
- Service director
- Group leader
- Special needs inclusion worker
- Program leader
On the Job Experience
As part of your training and assessment you will organise three separate ‘practicums’ to give you experience in the field.
Students need to complete all core theory subjects and gain a reasonable level of practical skill before proceeding to work experience.
During the practicums, you will practice the skills learned in class and must achieve the required competency in all areas.
A daily attendance sheet is to be signed by the Centre Director/Teacher and a lecturer will visit you to assess and oversee your progress.
Units of Competencies
Unit of study (*elective) |
A simple explanation of what the unit is about |
Ensure children’s health and safety |
A look at children’s health issues in today’s society |
Respond to illness accidents and emergencies |
Responding to incidents and reporting them in an appropriate way |
Support the development of children in the Service |
An overview of how children develop, theories and facts |
Develop an understanding of children’s interests and developmental needs |
Observing the way children behave and how to design interesting activities to suit their needs |
Identify and respond to children and young people at risk of harm. |
A sensitive look at what child abuse is and how to deal with it in a sensitive and appropriate way |
Work within a legal and ethical framework |
A study in legal practices in the childcare setting |
Participate in the work environment |
How to get along with people through good communication skills |
Care for babies |
From conception, through to the terrible 2’s and then the independent 3’s |
Work effectively with families in caring for the child |
A sensitive look at how to deal with stressed families on issues of concern |
Plan Care Routines |
Planning exciting routines through song and movement |
Deliver services/activities to stimulate children’s development and enhance their leisure |
Design motivating, educational activities to extend and challenge children |
Participate in workplace safety |
OHS planning and participating in evacuation procedures and lockdown emergencies |
Care for children |
How to respond to the needs of pre schoolers and design individual activities which correct their behaviour |
Interact effectively with children |
Learn to give Praise and Encouragement with a special flavour of self esteem |
Apply Basic First Aid (Outsourced). |
How to deal with a variety of emergencies |
Unit Code |
Unit Title – Core |
CHCCHILDI |
Identify and respond to children and young people at risk of harm |
| CHCCN1D | Ensure children’s health and safety |
| CHCCN2C | Care for children |
| CHCCN4D | Respond to illness, accidents and emergencies |
| CHCCS301A | Work within a legal and ethical framework |
| CHCFC1C | Support the development of children in the service |
| CHCIC1C | Interact effectively with children |
| CHCOHS301A | Participate in safety procedures |
| CHCORG3B | Participate in the work environment |
| CHCPR1C | Deliver services/activities to stimulate children’s development and enhance their leisure |
| HLTFA2A | Apply advanced first aid |
| CHCPR3C | Develop an understanding of children’s interests and developmental needs
|
| Unit Title - Electives | |
| CHCCN3C | Prepare nutritionally balanced food in a safe and hygienic manner |
| CHCCN5C | Care for babies |
| CHCRF1C | Work effectively with families in caring for the child |
| CHCCN5C | Work effectively with culturally diverse clients and co-workers |
PRACTICUM 1 Supervised Practicum One (Babies 0-3 Years)
Work Experience
In addition to the practicums, you will need to arrange your own work experience of one day per week for the duration of the course in a Child Care Centre of your choice, in order to apply the theory from class lessons and obtain additional hours of experience.
Qualification attained on successful completion: Certificate III in Children’s Services
On successful completion of part of course: Statement of Attainment