Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care | Diploma in Childcare | Diploma in Children’s Services
Complete a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care at Bedford College and start a rewarding career in a booming high-growth sector.
Learn how to support, engage and teach young children in their formative years with a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, where you can make a real difference in the lives of children.
With high job prospects and plenty of choice when it comes to choosing your place of work, a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care will have you work-ready within 12 months. If you’re looking to complete a diploma in childcare, studying with Bedford gives you the theory and practical experience required to become a childhood educator.
Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC50121)
- CHCPRP003 Reflect on and improve own professional practice
- BSBTWK502 Manage team effectiveness
- CHCECE041 Maintain a safe and healthy environment for children
- CHCECE042 Foster holistic early childhood learning, development and wellbeing
- CHCECE043 Nurture creativity in children
- CHCECE044 Facilitate compliance in an education and care service
- CHCECE045 Foster positive and respectful interactions and behaviour in children
- CHCECE046 Implement strategies for the inclusion of all children
- CHCECE047 Analyse information to inform learning
- CHCECE048 Plan and implement children’s education and care curriculum
- CHCECE049 Embed environmental responsibility in service operations
- CHCECE050 Work in partnership with families to provide and promote appropriate education and care for children
- HLTAID012 Provide First Aid in an education and care setting
- CHCECE053 Respond to grievances and complaints about the service
- CHCDIV003 Manage and promote diversity
Graduates of our diploma in children's services can go into roles in child care and educational centres such as long day care and family day care.
- Early Childhood Educator
- Childcare Assistant
- Childcare Worker
- Family Day Care Educator
- Day Care Centre Nominated Supervisor
- Day Care Centre Director
- Children’s Services Coordinator
- Nanny or Au Pair
Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care is a pre-requisite for entry into the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.
- Successful completion of Year 10 (or equivalent).
- No ATAR is required.
- Applicants undertake a Language Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) assessment for the College to determine the level of assistance needed to support the student.
Some of our graduates choose to undertake further study upon completion of their diploma in childcare. Bedford College have arrangements with high-ranking universities to provide articulation pathways (with credit) towards Bachelor degree programs. As the formal agreements are subject to periodic change, it is best to contact us directly for the most up-to-date information.
- On-campus
- Online
12 months
Thanks to our 80-year legacy providing nationally recognised training, Bedford works closely with industry and employment partners as part of the students’ mandatory practicum placement with many students going on to receive employment offers upon graduation.
Students completing a diploma in children's services will be placed with a registered child care centre with a minimum of 280 mandatory practicum placement hours.
Note: A valid NSW Working with Children Check number is required for students to undertake the mandatory practicum.
- February
- April
- July
- October
View our current domestic course fees
When available, Bedford College offers limited places for eligible domestic students residing in NSW under the Smart and Skilled program. Get in touch with us for updates on fee-free training and traineeships.
Bedford College is an approved VET Student Loans (VSL) provider for Diploma level qualifications where students meet the eligibility requirements. VSL is for domestic students only and is not available for international students. VSL give rise to a VESTL debt that continues to be a debt due to the Commonwealth Government until it is repaid.
Take that next step and invest in yourself.
Learn more about our Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care 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
Here's what our alumni have to say about their experience at Bedford College
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.