CHC30125 — Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

This course is targeted at international students who are:

• Seeking to pursue a career in early childhood education and care

• Seeking to enter a new industry sector

• Seeking a pathway to higher-level qualifications, such as the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC50125)

Completing this course may provide you with employment or learning opportunities. Potential employment options include roles as an early childhood educator or childcare assistant. Further education pathways may include the Diploma and other advanced early childhood education qualifications.

The following units are included in this course, and all are required for the award of the qualification. Students who only complete some units will be awarded with a Statement of Attainment for units successfully completed.

This course is delivered through classroom lessons and online learning.

• You will attend 14 hours of face-to-face classes each week.
• You will also complete 6 hours of supervised online study each week.
• On top of this, plan for about 5 hours of self-study per week (reading, research, homework).

The course runs for 52 weeks (40 study weeks + 12 weeks of holidays).

Classes combine theory and hands-on activities, so you can practice skills in a setting similar to a real childcare workplace.

You will also complete a work placement of at least 160 hours in an approved childcare centre, where you will gain real-world experience.

You will be assessed in different ways, such as:

• Written questions
• Projects and reports
• Presentations
• Role plays
• Observations in the workplace

At the start of each unit, your trainer will explain the assessment tasks.

It is very important to keep up with your studies and attend classes regularly to meet your student visa requirements.

• Please read the International Student Handbook for full details.
• You will also receive more information about these requirements during your orientation session.

We offer the following in relation to support and welfare.

• one-to-one support from the trainer/assessor
• support with personal issues
• access to additional learning resources
• reasonable adjustment in assessment
• social events
• buddy program
• information about external sources of support.

You may not have studied for a while, may have English as a second language or need additional assistance with literacy or numeracy.

We will identify any additional support needs you may have at the time of application and enrolment and may prepare a Student Support Plan for you based on those needs.

To complete this course, you will need access to:

• A laptop or computer with Microsoft Office (or similar software) and internet access
• Learning and assessment materials provided by the college (student guides, workbooks, presentations)
• Access to online platforms for supervised distance learning sessions
• Workplace resources during your placement (these are provided by the childcare centre, e.g., toys, learning materials, safety equipment)

In the classroom you will also have access to:

• Modern training rooms with desks, chairs, whiteboard, and projector
• Wi-Fi for study and research
• Relaxation and study spaces

You may be able to apply for course credit if you already have:

• Previous qualifications
• Skills, knowledge, or work experience

This can be done through Credit Transfer (CT) or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Full details are in the International Student Handbook at www.thames.edu.au.

What Happens if  You Are Granted Credit

• Your course fees and course duration may change
• We will let you know in writing of any changes
• You will receive a new Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)

For any questions about course credit, contact us at the details shown below.

To enrol in this course, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old

• Have completed Year 12 (or equivalent)

• Take part in a course entry interview to check your suitability and digital skills

• Meet the English language requirement:

  • IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent test such as PTE/TOEFL, taken within the last 2 years), or

  • Evidence of studying for 5 years in an English-speaking country, or

  • Successful completion of an English Placement Test at IELTS 6.0 level

To apply for this course, you need to:

• Complete an enrolment form

• Submit your supporting documents, including:

  • Proof of English language proficiency (as listed in the entry requirements)

  • Copies of any other required documents (e.g. passport, academic transcripts)

If your application is successful, we will send you an Offer Letter and Student Agreement. You should make sure you read through this document carefully to make sure you are happy with all of the terms and conditions. If you are, then simply sign the document and send it back to us.

Once we receive this, we will issue you with a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) letter and an invoice for the first payment.

The first day of each course will include orientation and induction. Orientation will include information about the campus, living in Australia, accessing our support services and methods for achieving success throughout the course, including course progress requirements.

This course outline should be read in conjunction with Thames International College International Student Handbook. This can be found online at www.thames.edu.au.