CHC50908: Diploma of Children’s Services (Early childhood education and care)
This qualification covers workers in children’s services who are responsible for planning, implementing and managing programs in early childhood services, in accordance with licensing, accreditation and duty of care requirements. At this level:- Workers have responsibility for supervision of other staff and volunteers
- In most states it is the highest qualification required at director or service manager level for children’s service centre-based care.
It is noted that whilst this qualification equips workers to work with children from 0-5 years of age, some workplaces and jurisdictions require workers to have skills and knowledge to work with children in both early and middle childhood (i.e. aged 0-12 years).
Where workers are required to work across the span of development from 0-12 years, candidates should receive training and/or assessment across this broader span of development and in addition to the qualification, be awarded a Statement of Attainment for achievement of the Middle childhood development skill set.
Occupational titles may include:
- Authorised supervisor (children’s services)
- Children’s services coordinator
- Centre manager (children’s services)
- Director (children’s services)
- Child care worker
- Group/team coordinator/leader (children’s services)
- Children’s adviser
- Program leader (children’s services)
- Children’s service director / manager
- Child development worker
Entry requirements
To gain entry into CHC50908 Diploma of Children’s Services (Early childhood education and care) candidates must demonstrate competence through a recognised training program or recognition process, in the following units of competency:
- CHCCHILD401A: Identify and respond to children and young people at risk
- CHCCN301A: Ensure the health and safety of children
- CHCCN302A: Provide care for children
- CHCCN303A: Contribute to provision of nutritionally balanced food in a safe and hygienic manner
- CHCCN305A: Provide care for babies
- CHCCS400A: Work within a relevant legal and ethical framework
- CHCFC301A: Support the development of children
- CHCIC301D: Interact effectively with children
- CHCPR301A: Provide experiences to support children’s play and learning
- CHCPR303D: Develop understanding of children’s interests and developmental needs
- HLTFA301B: Apply first aid
- HLTOHS300A: Contribute to OHS processes
Packaging Rules
18 units must be selected for this qualification including:
- 13 compulsory units
- 5 elective units
A wide range of elective units is available and may include:
- Relevant electives listed below the compulsory units for this qualification
- Units of competency to address workplace requirements and packaged at the level of this qualification or higher in Community Services and/or Health Training Packages
- Where appropriate, to address workplace requirements, units of competency packaged at this level or higher in other relevant Training Packages
Compulsory units:
- CHCCN511A: Establish and maintain a safe and healthy environment for children
- CHCFC502A: Foster physical development in early childhood
- CHCFC503A: Foster social development in early childhood
- CHCFC504A: Support emotional and psychological development in early childhood
- CHCFC505A: Foster cognitive development in early childhood
- CHCFC506A: Foster children’s language and communication development
- CHCIC501A: Manage children’s services workplace practice to address regulations and quality assurance
- CHCIC510A: Establish and implement plans for developing cooperative behaviour
- CHCIC512A: Plan and implement inclusion of children with additional needs
- CHCPR502D: Organise experiences to facilitate and enhance children’s development
- CHCPR509A: Gather, interpret and use information about children
- CHCPR510A: Design, implement and evaluate programs and care routines for children
- CHCRF511A: Work in partnership with families to provide appropriate care for children
The importance of culturally aware and respectful practice
All workers undertaking children’s services work need foundation knowledge to inform their work with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and co-workers and with clients and co-workers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. This foundation must be provided and assessed as part of a holistic approach to delivery and assessment of this qualification. Specific guidelines for assessment of this aspect of competency are provided in the Assessment Guidelines for the Community Services Training Package.
In addition, the children’s services workplace is regarded as having particular potential for engendering stronger and more respectful relationships between non-Aboriginal Australians and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Australians and across the diverse groups in the community.
For:
- Staff to support and promote respect for and awareness of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities where there are no Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children attending or residing in the local area
- Staff who work specifically with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children and families
It is therefore highly recommended that this qualification includes one of the following units to provide a foundation of knowledge and skills:
- CHCIC302A: Support Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander families to participate in children’s services
- HLTHIR404B: Work effectively with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people
As cultural diversity is a feature of our community, one of the following electives is recommended for inclusion:
- CHCIC511A: Implement and promote inclusive policies and practices in children’s services
- HLTHIR403B: Work effectively with culturally diverse clients and co-workers
Relevant electives
The following unit may be compulsory in some jurisdictions:
- CHCORG506C: Coordinate the work environment
Recommended electives for centre-based care
The following units of competency are recommended for work in centre-based care at Diploma level. Employers may specify electives required for their workplace if appropriate.
- CHCCN520C: Advocate for the rights and needs of children and young people
- CHCFC507A: Use music to enhance children’s experience and development
- CHCFC508A: Foster children’s aesthetic and creative development
- CHCIC511A: Implement and promote inclusive policies and practices in children’s services
- CHCINF407C: Meet information needs of the community
- CHCPR614C: Observe children and interpret observations (Note pre-requisite: CHCPR509A)
- HLTHIR403B: Work effectively with culturally diverse clients and co-workers
Electives are to be selected in line with specified Packaging Rules.
The following list of relevant electives is intended to facilitate selection. Employers may specify certain electives as required to address specific workplace needs.
Children’s services electives
- CHCFAM503B: Work with a child focused approach
- CHCFC507A: Use music to enhance children’s experience and development
- CHCFC508A: Foster children’s aesthetic and creative development
- CHCFC520C: Promote ethical understanding of children
- CHCPR509A: Gather, interpret and use information about children
- CHCPR515A: Develop and implement a program to support sustainable practice
- CHCPR614C: Observe children and interpret observations (Note pre-requisite: CHCPR509A)
Client support and professional practice electives
- CHCICS406A: Support client self-management
- CHCLD415A: Confirm client developmental status
- CHCLD515A: Analyse client information for service planning and delivery (Note pre-requisite CHCLD415A)
- CHCORG428A: Reflect on and improve own professional practice
- Children’s contact services electives
- CHCCONS401B: Facilitate changeover
- CHCCONS402B: Facilitate and monitor contact
- CHCCONS403B: Support families to develop relationships
Advocacy and diversity electives
- CHCCD420A: Work to empower Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities
- CHCCN520C: Advocate for the rights and needs of children and young people
- CHCCS421A: Undertake community sector work within own community
Business administration electives
- BSBMGT608B: Manage innovation and continuous improvement
- BSBRSK501A: Manage risk
- BSBSMB406A: Manage small business finances
- CHCADMIN508A: Manage limited budgets and financial accountabilities
- CHCAL523D: Manage home based care administration requirements
- CHCINF302C: Maintain the organisation’s information systems
- CHCINF407C: Meet information needs of the community
- CHCNET402A: Establish and maintain effective networks
- CHCORG423A: Maintain quality service delivery
- CHCORG614A: Manage a community sector organisation
- CHCPOL402B: Contribute to policy development
Leadership and supervision electives
- BSBLED401A: Develop teams and individuals
- BSBMGT401A: Show leadership in the workplace
- CHCCS502A: Maintain legal and ethical work practices
- CHCCS513A: Maintain an effective community sector work environment
- CHCORG406A: Supervise work
- CHCORG529B: Provide coaching and motivation
- CHCORG610A: Manage change in a community sector organisation
- CHCORG611A: Lead and develop others in a community sector workplace
- CHCORG620C: Promote and represent the service
- CHCORG624C: Provide leadership in community services delivery
- CHCORG627B: Provide mentoring support to colleagues
- HLTOHS400A: Maintain OHS processes
Food safety electives
- HLTFS309B: Oversee the day-to-day implementation of food safety in the workplace
- HLTFS310B: Apply and monitor food safety requirements
First aid electives
(Note, one or both first aid units may be required by some jurisdictions)
- HLTFA302A: Provide first aid in remote situation (Note pre-requisite: HLTFA301B)
- HLTFA402B: Apply advanced first aid (Note pre-requisite: HLTFA301B)
