If you want to work with children in a child care environment, either in family day care or a day care centre, you will need to gain some qualifications and accreditations. In an increasingly competitive industry, parents look for quality care and experience. There are a number of different child care courses you can take.

The Certificate III in Children’s Services is a 20-week entry level course that will qualify you to work as a childcare worker, nanny or kindergarten assistant. It requires a Working With Children card, which can be applied for through Australia Post. There is also the Certificate IV in Children’s Services (Outside School Hours care), which will allow you to work as an assistant OSHC coordinator, an OSHC assistant, and program or team leader in child day care.

The Diploma of Children’s Services is a 12-month course that requires the Certificate III to enrol. It will develop your skills further, and make you eligible to work as a children’s service coordinator, centre manager, director and group/team leader/coordinator. The Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) is a full-time four-year course and covers the years from birth to eight years old, and trains you to teach in pre-schools, early childhood centres, day care centres and primary schools.