Child Care Courses | Early Childhood Education Courses | Child Care Certificate | Child Care Diploma

Give children the best start in life with our child care courses for accredited qualifications in early education and care.

Bedford College offers child care courses and early childhood education courses so you can become an educator, educational leader, nominated supervisor or centre director for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers.

Delivered on-campus, online or hybrid, our child care courses give you the theoretical knowledge combined with practical experience to work hands-on in early education and care. You’ll learn to design and deliver educational programs to encourage healthy childhood development in a child care setting with plenty of opportunities to progress from a childhood educator to a centre director.

  • Early education and care workers are in high demand due to an acute shortage of skilled staff
  • The sector is currently experiencing strong growth where the population of children aged 0 to 13 years is projected to grow by 23% by 2025^^
  • By 2024, Australia will require an additional 39,600 early childhood educators^
  • In NSW, around 48,200 workers are employed in the early child education and care sector^^

^ State of Sector 2021 Report. H.E.S.T. Australia Ltd (2021).
^^ Workforce Literature Review: Early Childhood Education Directorate. NSW Department of Education (2021).

Take that next step and invest in yourself.

Learn more about our child care courses by downloading a Course Guide or getting in touch.

80 years delivering world-class education

Flexible learning options

With flexible learning options either face-to-face at our Norwest or Sydney CBD campus or online, you can plan your study around your existing personal, family and work commitments.

High graduate success rate

At Bedford College, we focus on delivering career-focused education leading to meaningful employment. Because of this, many of our students are employed by the time they graduate.

Established employment partners

Bedford College have partnered with some of Australia’s largest companies and organisations, as well as local businesses who are always keen to employ Bedford students and graduates.

Professional development

At Bedford College, we provide additional training in effective communication, leadership and presentation skills to ensure you feel confident when applying and interviewing for work.

University pathways

Bedford College offers pathways into a range of universities including the University of Sydney, Macquarie University, University of Wollongong, University of Newcastle, University of New England, Charles Sturt University, University of Notre Dame Australia, Australian Catholic University and Avondale University.

Industry-leading expertise

Many of our lecturers are professionals in their respective industries, offering industry knowledge and insights into best practices so you're ready to face today’s challenges in the workplace.

A truly unique place where you can feel like you belong.

Students rate Bedford College 4.6 stars

Google rating
4.6

Here's what our alumni have to say about their experience at Bedford College

Rithesh Diploma of Business

I studied my Diploma of Business at Bedford College to fast-track my way into the full-time working world and have a reputable pathway into the workforce.

I loved the structure including the days and hours, variety of subjects, the practical learning such as preparing for interviews and being placed in real-life scenarios which truly have helped me out in my career.” 

Kimberley Diploma of Business

I graduated with 3 offers to universities with recognition for prior learning, taking me straight into my second year of a Bachelors in Business at Macquarie University at just 17 years of age. 

Bedford gave me enough independence to start my journey post school, but enough support to foster and guide me.

Melanie Diploma of Leadership & Management

It was a great experience and an easy transition from high school to tertiary education.

The learning is classroom style which I found easier to understand and ask questions compared to friends who attended university who were sitting with hundreds of people in a huge lecture hall.

Aaron Diploma of Business

What I liked most was the close-knit community environment with the other students and the instructors. 

The content was direct and straightforward, but it still took dedication to get assignments completed to a high standard which was excellent training for professional life. 

Ainsleigh Diploma of Business

After leaving high school, I tried out a completely different career path that I didn’t end up liking as much as I thought I would. I decided to study business instead and chose to study at Bedford because I was able gain entry and credit for university the following year. 

Compared to some of my friends who only had a university education, I felt better equipped for success when I started working in an office. The knowledge I gained from my diploma helped me settle into university easier than if I had gone directly from high school to university. 

Philippa Diploma of Business

Because I was home educated, I didn’t have an ATAR, but that wasn’t a problem when applying for entry into uni, as UTS was happy to accept my academic results during my Diploma of Business at Bedford!

I have recommended Bedford to friends in the past, particularly home educated young people – Bedford is a great stepping stone to a career or higher education for people who haven’t come through the standard education pathway.

Nathaniel Diploma of Business

I would recommend Bedford College to those who are unsure what they want to do in their professional life.

Business is a universal subject, and the course offers a foot in the door from a job perspective, or a pathway to university. I also appreciate the experience that teachers brought into the classroom and the guidance provided not just in business, but also in ethics.

Elizabeth Diploma of Children's Services

I am so thankful for the sector wide relevance my studies at Bedford College gave me as it shaped me to become this fierce advocate for the education and care sector.

Christine

The Christian Ethos is important and it felt a safe environment for young people. Also it had a good reputation of finding employment for the students when they had finished their course.

Cassie

Over the years I have suggested to many friends and family that Bedford College is a great place to go for further education and a great stepping stone into the workforce.

I am very lucky and thankful for Bedford College and how it directed my work and career. I always wanted to be a business owner one day and so glad that I have been able to make that happen.

Anna Diploma of Business

Because of Bedford, I had many great work experiences in the corporate field - I got to work with the Big 4 banks, Department of Education NSW and also a well-known IT company. Because of my diploma in business, I was fast tracked in the workforce which has led me to come back and pursue a degree in Business Management.

I would recommend Bedford to those coming out of high school or wanting to go back into study after a long time (education has no age limit) Bedford is the perfect place.

David Diploma of Business

Bedford was where I developed my interest in business, and 10 years later I’m still drawing on my experiences there for the “real world”. By far the best thing was the support from the teaching staff. I had health issues towards the end of my tenure there and upon returning they all did their best to help me get up to speed so I was able to graduate with the rest of the students.

After I graduated, I enrolled in a business degree at WSU as I was able to get some credit towards a degree thanks to my studies at Bedford. I’ve since worked at Westpac for about 5 years, and now work for a consulting company called Lonsec.

Macy Diploma of Early Childhood Education & Care

Being an online student, you are always supported by your teacher and if extra explanation is needed, the teachers offer zoom calls which are very helpful.