You'll be able to access your personal timetable (find out how on our Timetables page), once you have paid your fees. In the meantime the information below provides an indication of the time commitment required to complete this course, depending on available study options.

On campus delivery

A typical timetable runs over 4.5 days per week. This includes in class time and work placement.

Online delivery

Online delivery is part-time, self-paced with scheduled assessment submission dates, and can take you up to 3 semesters including work placement to complete the qualification. This is the recommended time-frame.
There may be flexibility to complete sooner depending on other personal and professional commitments, please discuss this option with your lecturer.

At-home study

As well as the in-class component, you will need to complete approximately 10 hours of additional study each week outside of class hours, including private study, assignment preparation, and research. You will need to have the basic technical requirements for at-home study. If you don’t have access to a computer and WiFi at home, we recommend using our library computers during library hours.

Traineeship delivery

Traineeships primarily involve work-based learning, where you'll participate in on-site visits and collaborate online with lecturers. Lecturers assist in creating personalised learning plans to guide your progress through the units.
Upon enrolment, you'll have access to an online learning system, providing learning materials and assessments.

Under traineeship arrangements, employers must support you in completing your qualification. This includes aligning your work tasks with the qualification, providing supervision and recognising training time as work hours. Employers should allocate part of the workday for TAFE training.

This timetable information is indicative only and subject to change.

Other job titles may include:

• Early childhood educator
• Playgroup supervisor
• Recreation assistant
• Childhood Educator
• Childhood educator assistant

Please note this list should be used as a guide only as job titles and qualification requirements may vary between organisations.

Visit one of our four Jobs and Skills Centres located at NMT's Balga, Joondalup, Midland and Perth campuses for free career planning advice and job search support.

On campus delivery

To achieve the NMTAFE CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood and Care students will complete a minimum of 160 work placement hours. To ensure an optimal learning experience, where every student has the best opportunity to succeed, this may include an opportunity to spend more time in the workplace as required to develop the skills and knowledge necessary for employment in the Early Childhood Education and Care sector.

In order to undertake mandatory work placement, students must: 

• Attend a Work Placement Orientation session on campus prior to their placement.
• For students over the age of 18 years, obtain a Working With Children Check (WWCC) prior to their placement.

Online delivery

To achieve the NMTAFE CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood and Care students will complete a minimum of 160 work placement hours. To ensure an optimal learning experience, where every student has the best opportunity to succeed, this may include an opportunity to spend more time in the workplace as required to develop the skills and knowledge necessary for employment in the Early Childhood Education and Care sector. For students studying online, North Metropolitan TAFE facilitates placements within the Perth Metropolitan area only, spanning from Rockingham in the south to Two Rocks in the north and Mundaring in the east.

In order to undertake mandatory work placement, students must: 

• Attend a Work Placement Orientation session on campus prior to their placement.
• For students over the age of 18 years, obtain a Working With Children Check (WWCC) prior to their placement.

Students must be proficient in written and spoken English, as the course requires communication with other students, lecturers and workers/clients in industry. To complete this course students must successfully complete an LLN test to ascertain the learner needs.

There is an online reading component to this course and as such, you must be computer literate and have available computer and internet access.

A Working with Children Check (WWCC) (Not required for students under the age of 18 years) must be obtained prior to attending the mandatory work placement. This form will be issued and completed at your orientation.

Students must complete a First Aid Course which will be held on a variety of days with possible Saturdays.

Study outside of class hours, including private study, assignment preparation, and research will be required to successfully complete your course. 

Bring your own device (BYOD) is encouraged but not essential.
If you don’t have access to a computer and WiFi at home, we recommend using our library computers during library hours