Selection criteria
You must be Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander as this training program has been developed specifically for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in support of equity policy in post compulsory education.
You will need to:
- attend an interview to determine your literacy and numeracy skills levels; and
- obtain a Blue Card (Working with Children Check).
Please note: TAFE Queensland wishes to warn you, as a Blue Card applicant, that it is an offence for a disqualified person to sign a Blue Card application. For further information regarding 'disqualified' persons, please contact Blue Card Services.
Resources required
You must have access to a reliable internet connection to access TAFE Queensland's online learning system Connect, and a computer with up-to-date software, including Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat Reader and Adobe Flash Player. This equipment and software is also available for use at all TAFE Queensland locations.
You will be provided with a recommended reading list and/or required textbooks during orientation or at the start of each unit. The purchase of these resources may incur additional costs, or you may be able to borrow them from the TAFE Queensland library network.
You are also required to have access to a reliable USB for assessment and resource collation during residential block attendances.
Placement
TAFE Queensland Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) Students are advised to seek advice from Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) Services about the Service’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements for Vocational Placement given the below advice, effective 1am AEST 30 June, 2022 & available at this link: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19.
From 1am AEST Thursday 30 June 2022, vaccinations will no longer be mandatory for the following:
Workers in high-risk settings (unless required by their employer) including: early childhood, primary and secondary education, prisons, youth detention centres, watch houses and airports.
If you are not currently employed in the industry, during your course you will be required to complete vocational placement so you can start practising your new skills in a real-world environment. You’ll be required to work shifts determined by your placement provider, and these can include early mornings, any day of the week, including public holidays. TAFE Queensland may be able to assist in arranging suitable placements.
Completing placement is compulsory, and you will be expected to manage family and work commitments in order to complete your shifts. You are required to complete 160 hours of placement to satisfy this component of your qualification.
Blue Card
To successfully satisfy all course requirements you will be required to apply for a Blue Card (Working with Children check).
Please note: TAFE Queensland wishes to warn you, as a Blue Card applicant, that it is an offence for a disqualified person to sign a Blue Card application. For further information regarding 'disqualified' persons, please contact Blue Card Services.
If you are unable to obtain a Blue Card, you may be disqualified from being eligible to undertake placement and assessment, which would affect your course outcomes. If you think this might impact you, please speak to the relevant Vocational Placement Coordinator for further information.
It is also recommended that all students should undertake screening for vaccination against the following Queensland Health Mandatory vaccination requirements such as:
- MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella)
- Influenza
- Varicella zoster virus (chicken pox)
- Pertussis (whooping cough)
- Hepatitis B
You will be responsible for any costs associated with meeting these placement requirements.
Need to know
You are required to attend compulsory face to face residential block training. The dates for your residential block training will be provided upon commencement of your course. To enable your attendance at residential block training, you will need to be registered with ABSTUDY.
If you are currently employed in an Early Childhood Education and Care Service, you will need to discuss your residential block release dates with your employer, to make sure you are available to attend the compulsory residential blocks.
Please note: in addition to the above, you are also required to complete your own study each week to ensure you progress successfully through your course. Further information will be provided at the commencement of your course.
This course is offered through RATEP ECEC sites providing students with face to face, online and teacher support throughout their qualification.
RATEP ECEC sites throughout the state provide early childhood training at the Certificate III and Diploma levels.
RATEP ECEC locations are as follows:
- Bamaga
- Barambah
- Palm Island
- St George and surrounding regions
- Thursday Island and surrounding regions
- Woorabinda
- Yarrabah