Questions about Certificate III

[patriciarose]

Hello!

I’ve recently moved to Queensland and am thinking of getting my Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.
slope
I’m hoping someone here has also taken this course. I have a few questions if you can please help.

How long does it take to complete? I was thinking of doing it with ACCCO and they estimate FT=52wks, PT=104 weeks. But I have read others saying they completed in about 6 months.

How academic is the course? Did you find it difficult? I finished my UK Non Medical Maternity Nursing last year and found it not too bad. But it wasn’t essay writing, more making informational brochures.

What is traineeship/ apprenticeship option for delivery mode? Is this all hands on and you don’t have to do any assignments? Is this unpaid work?

Any other info you might have, I really appreciate it. Thank you!!!

[Lorina]

Hi!

If you are doing the course by correspondence or online you can do this a lot faster than doing it face-to-face because it's all self-learning so it's based on how quickly you get through modules and assignments.

It's not difficult per se, the only difficult part is understanding the Regulations and Laws and the National Framework that needs to be implemented. It can be a little confusing however you can find a lot of information to help you understand the questions or complete assignments.

In regards to completing a traineeship, please see the following:Childcare Traineeship

Let me know if you have any further questions!

,
Lorina

[ratketyree]

Hello!

I’ve recently moved to Queensland and am thinking of getting my Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.
slope
I’m hoping someone here has also taken this course. I have a few questions if you can please help.

How long does it take to complete? I was thinking of doing it with ACCCO and they estimate FT=52wks, PT=104 weeks. But I have read others saying they completed in about 6 months.

How academic is the course? Did you find it difficult? I finished my UK Non Medical Maternity Nursing last year and found it not too bad. But it wasn’t essay writing, more making informational brochures.

What is traineeship/ apprenticeship option for delivery mode? Is this all hands on and you don’t have to do any assignments? Is this unpaid work?

Any other info you might have, I really appreciate it. Thank you!!!

Hi there. Hi Queensland! Get your Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care—great step. My experience is that the period depends on how much time you can devote; dedicated people can finish in 6 months. You may find the course manageable given your history in maternity nursing, although it is frequently more practical than essay-heavy.

Traineeships/apprenticeships are useful for gaining experience and entail on-the-job training and practical work. Warning: these positions may not be compensated initially. I think you'll enjoy the course. Good luck.

[bekeanloinse]

Congrats on your move to Queensland and for considering a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care—it's a great step if you're passionate about working with children!

Here’s some insight that might help you:

1. Course Duration
The time frame for completing the course can vary depending on the institution and your schedule.
Full-Time (FT): Typically, 52 weeks is standard, as ACCCO suggests.
Part-Time (PT): About 104 weeks.
Self-Paced Learners: Some students finish in as little as 6 months if they dedicate significant time weekly (e.g., 30+ hours) and have relevant prior experience or knowledge.
You may want to ask ACCCO about their flexibility and if they allow students to fast-track the course.
2. Academic Rigor
The course is practical and designed to suit individuals with varying academic backgrounds. Based on your experience with the UK Non-Medical Maternity Nursing qualification, you might find this course manageable.
Assessments often include:
Practical tasks during work placements.
Creating resources (e.g., lesson plans, activity schedules).
Reflective journals.
Basic written responses (less formal than essays).
Some units may involve concepts around child development, safety standards, and legislative requirements, which might feel more theoretical but aren’t typically overwhelming.