Aussie Childcare Network Forum

Hi

Has anyone done the advance diploma? If so, how did you find it? I have just enrolled

I was thinking about doing it but my TAFE tutor said if I was going on to Uni there wasnt much point as you do not get much extra credit between the Diploma & Adv Diploma so I opted to go straight to Uni.

I am sure it will be hard work but well worth it in the end.
Good luck with it.

oh really, I thought you got 8 units taken off with the advanced if do teaching degree?? Maybe Im wrong. Ive heard its not that hard really, mainly research related

I have just done my Diploma and USQ gave me 10 units off my Early Childhood Degree... so if you are planning to definately do a degree I would opt out of the Adv Diploma and go straight into Uni, you will spend ages doing your Adv Diploma and not get much more credit than you would for a Diploma so you would have wasted a whole lot of time and effort for not much return.
USQ says

students who have completed the Diploma or Advanced Diploma of Community Services (Children’s Services) or approved equivalent with a Registered Training Organisation may be eligible for up to 8 and 12 units exemption respectively.

So for an extra 2 credits I would have spent perhaps a year or so studying ... not worth it and though it says 8 units exemption for Diploma I got 10... even with 8 I would have still gone straight into my degree and skipped the Adv Diploma.
Pay wise if you are studying your Adv Diploma or Uni its the same pay and ultimately you will get paid more as a Director with a 4 yr uni degree than one with an Adv Diploma.

wow, I didnt think I would get any credit for the diploma! I just cant afford to leave work to go to uni full time at the moment so its catch 22 really! Bugger, dont know what to do now. Thanks for theadvice guys

Neither could I ... I am working FT and doing my degree online through USQ who provide a totally online B.Ed degree... the only time I wouldnt be able to do online was during my placements but apart from that its totally done via the web.
I am doing 2 subjects per semester and have just finished my 1st semester at uni & my 1st 2 subjects at the end of last month.
Its hard doing it while working FT but I am enjoying it thoroughly and if 2 subjects gets too stressful you can do 1.
I know CQ uni also offer a distance B.Ed or you can go through Open University.
I chose USQ as it is QLD based and a good uni with a good rep

And is that all government funded? I have two children too so not sure if I could cope with it all

I assume you are an Aussie Citizen so you can get Hex or fee help or whatever its called.
I pay the subsidised fees but I have to pay up front as i only have my PR. Its about $650 per subject, which is not too bad really.

Yeh, I only have permanent residency but can apply for citizenship now

http://www.usq.edu.au/fees/help/hecs

this will give u an idea of fees once you are an aussie citizen if u do persue a degree

Im doing the Advanced Diploma as in the near future, i have no plans to go to Uni. It is difficult to do and is mainly research related, so if you have a good support system at work, i'm sure u will be fine.

Im currently doing my advanced diploma through the skills institute, and i got some credit transfers from doing my diploma.

Quick question- do you think the AdvancedDiploma is a better preparation for employment as a non teaching Firector? Is it geared more towards administration etc?

Dulciean - the adv diploma is very much geared towards management
as Tafe describes it
This qualification covers children's services workers who may operate at an advanced level in early childhood education and care to provide specialist services, act as a resource for other workers, provide practice supervision of staff including volunteers, work intensively with clients and work with clients with complex needs.

http://www.tafe.qld.gov.au/cis/index.ph ... se_id=2806
you can see the units here & none are really related to actual teaching/development...thats why if you are to be a Director they want this qualification as it prepares you for more office/management roles