Early Childhood Educator Pathways

The first step is to get your Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC). With so many study options available on the market, Enhance Family Day Care has this advice:

1. Look for well-established and recognised Registered Training Organisations (RTOs)

RTOs are organisations that have been approved and authorised by the Australian Government’s Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) to deliver and assess nationally recognised training in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector, and can issue you with a nationally recognised qualification and statement of attainment.
There are currently around 4,000 RTOs in Australia, most of them are regulated by ASQA. The National Training Register includes a list of all RTOs.
In addition to being listed on the national register, all legitimate RTOs should provide their unique RTO number on their website and in their documentation. RTOs can include TAFEs, private training providers, and some industry associations and companies. Some of the wellestablished RTOs that deliver the Cert III in ECEC include:
– TAFE
– Creche & Kindergarten (C&K) Association
– Kath Dickson
– ACCCO

2. Narrow down your choice of training provider

Use the following questions to help you compare RTOs and choose which ones might be suitable for you:
• How do they deliver the course – is it online, face-to-face, or hybrid?
– If it’s in-person, or hybrid, where are they located and how easy is it for you to get there?
– Consider arranging a visit to check out the facilities, either as a private tour or attend an Open Day

• How long does the course take? RTOs can set their own course durations, so the length can vary.

• What does the course cost and what are the payment terms? Are you eligible for any government funding to offset course costs? RTOs can set their own course fees, so training costs can vary significantly.

• What student support services do they offer, especially for those in remote, rural locations?

• Are there opportunities for funded or subsidised training?

• How many students from this region have they put through the course?

• Where is the trainer and assessor located?

• Do they provide any credits or recognition of prior learning (RPL) for any of your previous qualifications and/or role/s?

3. Consider your practical (‘Prac’) placement

Regardless of which RTO you choose, it is a requirement of all Cert III ECEC programs to include 160 hours of practical work (or ‘prac’) in the course, including a minimum number of hours with babies.
During your prac, you work on site with a recognised childcare provider to gain on-the-job learning and first-hand experience as an early childhood educator.
Once you’ve narrowed down your RTO choices based on the fundamentals, it’s key you understand the specifics of the practical component of the course and think about how you will incorporate that into your life.

Some questions to ask your preferred RTOs include:
• What kind of support do they provide to students before and during their practical placement?
• How will they ensure that your learning needs are met during the placement?
• What are their procedures for evaluation and feedback during your prac?
• How do they resolve any issues that come up during the placement?
• What if there are no options for a practical placement in or near Tieri?

4. Enrol!

The enrollment process differs from one RTO to another. There are usually step by step instructions available on their website, or a number to call for assistance.
If you have undertaken any registered training since 2015, (e.g. a First Aid & CPR course) you may already have a Unique Student Identifier (USI). If so, you can search for your USI at usi.gov.au/students/find-your-usi and it will streamline the enrollment process! If you don’t already have a USI, you will be allocated one during your enrollment.
The TAFE QLD website (Certificate III in Early Childhood Education & Care | TAFE Queensland) has various locations and ways in which you can study, and advises ‘If you’re ready to get started, simply hit the Apply Now button on your preferred course information page and get your application underway online’.
The C&K College website has a handy student guide detailing the Application and Enrolment process.
ACCCO’s enrolment page provides easy instructions for their 7 step process beginning with an enrolment form, and includes phone and email contacts for any questions you may have.
As at 12th May 2025, Kath Dickson Training Institute began transitioning their online enrolment to a new system and ask that you contact their administration team on 07 4633 8400 or enrolments@kdfc.com.au to enrol. You can download their student handbook via their website kdfc.com.au.

No matter which RTO you choose, it is important that you have a clear understanding about the financial and study commitments for the course prior to signing on the dotted line.

Considering a well-established RTO with a proven track record, and understanding what you are signing up for makes sense when undertaking studies that will set you up for a career in Family Day Care.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions! You will find the RTOs are very helpful in answering your queries – perhaps a good indicator of how they will support you as a student.

Good luck!

Visit tieri.com.au/early-childhood-educator-pathways/ for useful links to help you start your journey.