GOTAFE (Northern Victoria Institute of TAFE)
1 year (part-time) or 2 years (traineeship)
Become a qualified early childhood educator with this diploma that combines theoretical knowledge and practical workplace experience. Designed for professionals seeking to advance their career in regulated children's education and care services across Australia.
Applicants must hold Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30121 or CHC30113), an Australian Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care, or equivalent qualification with at least 12 months cumulative employment in regulated education and care services within the last 5 years. Entry requirements include completing a Basic Key Skills Builder test for literacy and numeracy, a pre-training review interview, and applying for a Working With Children's Check. Placement requirements include a current National Police Check and Working With Children's Check. Students need access to a laptop/computer with internet, a digital camera or video camera, and must demonstrate physical and psychological stamina for working with young children.
Core units cover team effectiveness management, maintaining safe and healthy environments, fostering holistic child development and wellbeing, nurturing creativity, facilitating compliance, promoting positive interactions, supporting inclusion, analysing learning information, planning curriculum implementation, embedding environmental responsibility, partnering with families, and professional reflection. Elective units include emotional intelligence development, team and individual learning support, and responding to grievances. The curriculum integrates practical workplace experience with theoretical knowledge across 12 core units and 3 elective units.
GOTAFE is a government-accredited Registered Training Organisation (RTO 3094) with national recognition delivering quality vocational education across Victoria. The institution offers flexible delivery options including blended learning, workplace-based training, and traineeship pathways. Students benefit from comprehensive support services including learning support, counselling, disability services, and the Early Childhood Tertiary Partnerships (ECTP) program providing mentoring and academic workshops. GOTAFE's experienced trainers and assessors ensure practical skills are developed in regulated early childhood settings.
Graduates pursue careers as Nominated Supervisors, Early Childhood Educators, Outside School Hours Care Coordinators, Playgroup Supervisors, Kindergarten Assistants, Recreation Assistants, Family Daycare Coordinators, and Nannies/Au Pairs. The qualification provides pathways to further study including Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) degrees. Professionals advance into leadership and management roles within early childhood services, with opportunities to supervise teams and shape educational outcomes for young children.
