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Early childhood education and care

Develop hands-on skills for a rewarding career in early childhood education and care and give children a fun, safe and supportive environment to learn and grow.

Study early childhood education and care

Early childhood education involves caring for and teaching pre-primary school students to enhance their social, emotional, intellectual and physical development. Our early childhood education and care courses will equip you to provide high quality care and plan developmentally appropriate experiences to help children reach their full potential.

As more parents decide to stay in or re-enter the workforce, the demand for daycare, nannies, and before and after school care is increasing. Recent changes in educator to child ratios has further heightened the need for qualified early childhood education and care workers.

TAFE Queensland offers introductory and advanced-level qualifications in early childhood education and care. Our courses will give you a depth of understanding into these early years and set you up for a rewarding career in early childhood education and care.

Career outcomes

  • Early childhood centre director
  • Early childhood education and care worker
  • Early childhood educator
  • Family day care provider
  • Out of school hours care assistant
  • Out of school hours care coordinator
kymerly appo childcare student having graduated

Fee-Free TAFE

The career of your dreams is within reach thanks to Fee-Free TAFE. Eligible students studying the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30121) may be able to access Fee-Free TAFE funding to help pay for your course. Focus on your studies, not your finances and seize your opportunity to get job ready in 2025 (eligibility criteria apply).

Learn more

Early childhood education and care courses

Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

Start your career with this entry level course that will set you up with the foundation skills you need to succeed as an educator in early childhood education and care.

Careers

  • Family Day Care Provider
  • Early Childhood Education and Care Assistant
  • Early Childhood Education and Care Worker
Next Start : 14 Jul 2025

Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

Progress your career in Early Childhood Education and Care with this advanced qualification and gain the specialised skills and knowledge needed to work as an early childhood educator or service supervisor.

Careers

  • Early Childhood Educator
  • Early Childhood Service Supervisor
Next Start : 14 Jul 2025

Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students

Progress your career in Early Childhood Education and Care with this advanced qualification and gain the specialised skills and knowledge needed to work as an early childhood educator or service supervisor.

Careers

  • Early Childhood Educator
  • Early Childhood Service Supervisor
Full Time : up to 18 months
Starts anytime

Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students

Start your career with this entry-level course that will set you up with the foundation skills you need to succeed as an educator in Early Childhood Education and Care.

Careers

  • Out of School Hours Care Assistant
  • Family Day Care Provider
  • Early Childhood Education and Care Assistant
  • Early Childhood Education and Care Worker
Full Time : up to 18 months
Starts anytime

Certificate III in Outside School Hours Care

Start your career with this entry level course that will set you up with the foundation skills you need to succeed as a worker in outside school hours care.

Part Time : Average course duration 14 months
Next Start : 15 Sep 2025
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The TAFE Queensland difference

Find out how more about our hands on, practical approach to studying early childhood education and care. Under the supervision of our experienced teaching staff you'll get to work directly with infants and children to ensure you develop the skills you need to enter the workforce sooner.

 
 
I think TAFE Queensland is one of the best; really guiding you through your career and through your training, making you do the work and giving you the experience that you need to understand your industry.
Kimberley Apo, Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30113) and Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC50113)
 
The teachers at TAFE Queensland are wonderful — they're always there to help. They're contactable constantly and they're always there to answer any questions that you have and give you advice and provide support.
Lisa Harrold, Certificate IV in Education Support (CHC40213)
Latest news and events Read more

From the Torres Strait to Yarrabah and beyond, TAFE Queensland teacher Stacy Walters is transforming early childhood education in some of Queensland’s most remote communities.

Early Childhood Education and Care student Kaho Ishikawa felt a mix of nerves and excitement when asked to lead an activity at an Under 8’s Week community event, but the experience was a turning point in her learning journey.

Early Childhood Education and Care teacher Sharon Whyte is making a difference in her student’s lives by incorporating therapy dogs into the classroom at our Redcliffe Campus.

For Lilly Caulfield, pursuing a career in early childhood education wasn’t just a decision but a lifelong dream.

Jannelle McKercher, a TAFE Queensland Early Childhood Education and Care educator, is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive learning environment — helping to shape the future of early childhood education in her local community and enriching the lives of her students.

TAFE Queensland’s early childhood education and care students had a blast with Indigenous Student Support Officer, Tammy Rasmussen, learning to make a simple gluten-free cracker.

At 33, Berlinda’s life has been marked by challenges - losing her mother at just 18, then her father several years later, all while growing up in a family with limited resources.

After almost two decades of being a calming and consistent influence in the classroom at the tiny campus of Tagai State College at Darnley (Erub) Island, Mark Waigana is the proud recipient of a Certificate III qualification.

A new partnership between TAFE Queensland and G8 Education will support the learning and development of Queensland’s early childhood education workforce with access to nationally recognised fully funded qualifications.

Teyden Pearl is on the path to a rewarding career in early childhood after discovering Fee-Free TAFE.

The wait is over - TAFE Queensland’s Community Learning Centre opens its doors in Yarrabilba.

Delve into the complexities of Indigenous remote area learning and the passionate teachers travelling to communities to provide it, by listening to the latest episode from the podcast ‘My Study Journey’.