What's the difference between a Certificate and a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care?

If you’ve been looking into becoming an Early Childhood Educator, it’s likely that you’ve already asked yourself: “What’s the difference between a Certificate and a Diploma in Childcare?” 

These two courses can certainly cause a lot of confusion around the qualifications you need in order to be certified to take care of children. 

Before you choose your course, it’s vital that you know the key differences between them so you’re enrolling in the most appropriate qualification for your skill level and career aspirations. 

Hopefully, we can help clear up a few things for you here, so you can make the right decision for your future. 

Key differences between a Diploma and Certificate III in Childcare

If you want to work with children, both of these childcare qualifications provide a fantastic foundation of skills you’ll use throughout your career. There’s a huge range of childcare roles, and most of them require some level of qualification.

The main differences between the Diploma and Certificate in Childcare lay in the duration and depth of study, the level of the curriculum, and the career outcomes.  

We’ll go into a little more detail below.

Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care   

The Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care is the absolute minimum childcare qualification that you require in order to become a qualified Early Childhood Educator.  

Most highly reputable childcare institutions will require that you’ve got one under your belt - a qualification will make you more competitive in the application process.  

The Certificate III teaches the core skills required to be a Childcare Assistant and is highly valuable even for those who have some experience in the industry. If you’re new to childcare, this is a highly recommended starting point. 

How long does a Certificate in Childcare take?  

The Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care takes between 1 and 1.5 years to complete, depending on your study load. You’ll also need to complete up to 120 hours of vocational placement, where you’ll have the opportunity to practice the skills you’ve learned and refine your ability to be a great Childhood Educator. 

Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care  

The Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care contains more advanced content and learning outcomes than the Certificate III. If you’re interested in pursuing an ongoing career in childcare, this is the right choice for you. The Diploma will equip you with the skills to not only become a qualified Early Childhood Educator but also some business and administrative skills as well.  

Some of the more advanced learning content you’ll cover includes: 

• Management and leadership 

• Designing educational programs to educate, entertain and assist in the development of young people 

• Health and safety management 

• Administrative skills  

  How long does a Diploma in Childcare take? 

As a more advanced course, it does take substantially longer to complete. It can take around two years to get qualified and involves up to 480 hours of vocational placement. At the end of your Diploma, you’ll be thoroughly qualified to pursue an advanced career in childcare, with more opportunities available to you than if you’d only completed a Certificate III. 

What are the job options after completing these Early Childhood Courses?  

Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care  

Studying the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care is the perfect pathway for many entry-level positions in the childcare industry. Some of the roles you’ll be qualified for include: 

Long Day Care Educator 

Working in a Long Day Care Centre, you’ll be in an environment that supports working parents, as these centres provide education and care for children from babies to the age of 12. They usually operate at least 10 hours a day, Monday to Friday, for at least 48 weeks a year and provide full or part-time care.  

Kindergarten Assistant 

As a Kindergarten Assistant, you’ll be working in a childhood education environment that is tailored to helping prepare children for their first year in school. You’ll support children with play-based learning and help them to expand their physical abilities, build their confidence and enhance their social skills. 

Childcare Assistant 

A Childcare Assistant provides care and structured learning to children, usually in a daycare centre. As a Childcare Assistant, you’ll provide a caring, non-judgemental and supportive environment for all children and their families. 

Early Childhood Educator 

An Early Childhood Educator, also referred to as a Childcare Worker, is responsible for the care and early education of babies and young children. They work in a range of settings, including kindergartens, childcare centres, community centres or schools.

Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care 

One major difference between a Certificate and Diploma in childcare is that the Diploma provides you with much broader options, as it is a more advanced childcare qualification. If you want to pursue a senior role or a management position, the Diploma is highly recommended. 

Australian legislation stipulates that at least half of all educators within a long day care or preschool facility must hold (or be actively studying) a Diploma-level qualification or higher. You are also required to hold a Diploma in order to become a Family Day Care Coordinator.  

There’s an emerging trend of childcare centres seeking workers with higher qualification levels. So if you hold a Diploma, you’ll stand a far greater chance of employment.  

With the Diploma, you can pursue roles such as: 

• Centre Director 

• Group Leader 

• Nominated Supervisor 

• Assistant Director 

• Educational Leader 

Do I need a Certificate III in Childcare to study for a Diploma?

You will need to complete the Certificate III in order to study the Diploma, as it expands on the materials covered in the former course. That said, both courses have some level of crossover. 

This structure will allow you to get a feel for the industry and gain some experience as an educator so that you can be sure it’s the right career path for you – especially before you commit to the advanced course that’ll qualify you for more senior positions.

Depending on your career goals and your commitment to obtaining childcare qualifications, you may choose to study the Diploma as soon as you graduate from the Certificate III.  

What if I already hold the Certificate III?  

If you already hold the Certificate III, that’s great news! You’ve got an excellent knowledge base to build on while studying the Diploma and may find that some concepts come to you more easily. 

Furthermore, you may be able to accelerate your acquisition of the Diploma. Because the Diploma and Certificate III share some subjects, you may not have to study them again. You’ll need to prove you hold the Certificate III and may need to prove it was acquired within a certain timeframe. 

This is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). You may also qualify for RPL through past work that you’ve completed. In order to do so, you’ll need to provide evidence of your responsibilities, time worked, and the kind of skills that you are proficient in. 

If you’re ready to get started today, get in touch with us, and we’ll work out a plan that suits your aspirations, budget and availability.

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