Child Care Courses
Start Dates: February, April & July
| New Child Care Campus - Opened February 2005 |
Bedford College introduced child care courses in 2005 and is now an acknowledged leader in the field of child care training. Universities and employers agree that Bedford graduates set the benchmark by which other child care graduates are measured.
With most children today living in a family where both parents work, the need for quality child care is growing rapidly. Many child care centres have long waiting lists, which means that more centres are needed - and with the need for more centres, comes the need for greater numbers of child care workers.
What this means for the qualified Child Care Worker is that employment prospects are excellent. Employment opportunities are many and varied as the need for workers continues to increase.
How Our Child Care Courses Work
Child Care courses at Bedford are run differently than those at other training providers. Bedford students attend College Monday to Wednesday, participate in the Online Classroom (with a teacher) on Thursday and work in a registered Child Care Centre every Friday. Students also complete 2x2 week blocks in a Child Care Centre at the end of Term 2 and again at the end of Term 3. A 30 hour block in an Outside School Hours (OOSH) Centre is also scheduled during term 4. This makes a total of almost 400 hours of practicum placement over the 40 week diploma course. A free Supervised Study Period from 3.00pm to 4.00pm is also offered from Monday to Wednesday. (Please also see Course Structure below).
Children's Play Session
Children's Play Session was introduced in 2006 and has proven to be an integral part of our child care course. Play Session enhances our students practical experiences with children and also provides the opportunity for them to interact with parents/carers.
Play Session is held one morning each week at the College and children from birth to 5 years attend. In 2011 there were 25 families attending Play Session each week.
Our specialised training methods ensure that students are provided with exceptional skills and knowledge in both the theory and the practical component of the children's services industry.
Courses Available
Diploma of Children's Services | CHC50908 | 40 weeks |
| Certificate III in Children's Services | CHC30708 | 20 weeks |
(International Students - CRICOS CODE 067944J - 48 weeks)
Please note: The Certificate III course is a pre-requisite for the Diploma qualification i.e. Certificate III - 24 weeks, Diploma - 24 weeks. Total 48 weeks (including holiday breaks)
Course Description
Diploma of Children's Services (CHC50908) - 40 weeks
(International Students - CRICOS Code 067944J - 48 weeks)
This course provides participants with the skills and knowledge in both a theoretical and practical manner. Diploma Graduates are qualified to work in Long Day Care and Occasional Care Centres in the following roles:
- Authorised Supervisor
- Child Care Centre Director
- Room Leader
- Group Leader
- Qualified Child Care Worker
- Service Manager
- Team Leader
- Special Needs Inclusive Worker
- Nanny - National and International
Students who successfully complete the diploma course have automatic entry (with credit) into a university degree. See the University Pathways tab on this website for more information
Certificate III in Children's Services (CHC30708) - 20 weeks
(International Students - CRICOS Code 067943K - 24 weeks)
Graduates will be qualified to work as:
- A Childcare Assistant
- A Family Day Carer in Long Day Care, Occasional Care Centres and Pre-School Kindergartens
- Nanny - National and International
Course Structure
Our 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)
| Child Care Students |
In an effort to remain at the forefront of child care training and to address important industry needs, we have included Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander studies and Sustainability Practices into our child care courses.
Please see 'How our Course Works' above for more information on the course structure.
University Pathways
Students who successfully complete the Diploma of Children's Services course (40 weeks) will receive automatic entry (with up to 2 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 or Downloads section for more information.
(Our university partnerships are consistently increasing, please contact the College for the latest information)
Download Child Care Information
Child Care Courses - Brochure
Child Care Courses - Subject List