Are you considering a career as an early childhood educator? If the answer is yes, you are likely to have already asked “What is the difference between a Cert III and Diploma when it comes to childcare?”.
Before you decide on your course, it is important to understand the key differences between them, so you are enrolling in the appropriate one for the skill level you need for your career in early childhood education.
At Save Our Service, we aim to support educators find work in childcare, and understanding which qualifications you have obtained is one of the first questions we ask in the interview process.
So, what are the key differences between a Diploma and Cert III in childcare?
The main point of difference between a Cert III and Diploma in childcare is the duration of study, and the level of the curriculum, and importantly the career outcomes. Here is some more detail:
Certification III in Early Childhood Education and Care
This is the minimum qualification you will need to become an Early Childhood Educator. Any highly reputable childcare provider will often require that you have a Certificate III, or that you are working towards one.
This course teaches you the core skills required to work in childcare, and takes between 1 to 1.5 years to complete, and you will also need to complete up to 120 hours of placement where you will be able to practice the skills you’ve learned, and experience working in childcare first-hand.
Job Options Include:
- Long Day Care Educator
- Kindergarten Assistant
- Childcare Assistant
- Early Childhood Educator
If you are just starting out in childcare, we recommend looking into retrieving your Cert III as it opens great opportunities.
Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
The Diploma contains more advanced content and learning outcomes than the Cert III. If you are looking to pursue an ongoing career in childcare, then a Diploma would be the best choice. This course will provide you with the skills you need to become an Early Childhood Educator, as well as any business and admin skills you may need.
Because the Diploma is a more advanced course, it takes around two years to complete, as well as 480 hours of vocational placement. Once you have completed this course, you will have more opportunities available to you than if you just completed a Cert III.
Your job options include:
- Centre Director
- Group Leader
- Nominate Supervisor
- Assistant Director
- Educational Leader
Working with Save Our Service
At Save Our Service, we hire all kinds of childcare educators, from those who are working towards their qualifications, to educators who have already received their Certificate or Diploma.
If you are searching for casual childcare jobs, give us a call on 1800 6333 767 and one of our friendly team members will be able to answer any questions.