Acorn College: Early Childhood Education

Why Choose Acorn College Early Childhood Education?

Acorn College – Acorn Childcare Pty Ltd – is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) based in Bundaberg, offering Training, Assessment and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to students for qualifications in Early Childhood.

With our community’s growing population, the demand for qualified childcare professionals is more critical than ever. At Acorn College, we are here to meet that need with passion and expertise.

Our Early Childhood Courses

We offer comprehensive courses designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the childcare sector.

CHC50121 - Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

This qualification reflects the role of educators in early childhood education and care who work in regulated children’s education and care services in Australia. They support children’s wellbeing, and development in the context of an approved learning framework. Educators use a range of well-developed skills and knowledge using discretion and judgment when carrying out their work in the context of established policies and procedures.

CHC50121 - Course Outline

	Code	Title	Core / Elective
1	CHCECE050	Work in partnership with children’s families	C
2	BSBTWK502	Manage team effectiveness	C
3	CHCPRP003	Reflect on and improve own professional practice	C
4	CHCMGT003	Lead the work team	E
5	CHCPOL002	Develop and implement policy	E
6	CHCECE041	Maintain a safe and healthy environment for children	C
7	CHCECE044	Facilitate compliance in a children’s education and care service	C
8	CHCECE049	Embed environmental responsibility in service operations	C
9	CHCECE042	Foster holistic early childhood learning, development and wellbeing	C
10	CHCECE043	Nurture creativity in children	C
11	CHCECE047	Analyse information to inform children’s learning	C
12	CHCECE048	Plan and implement children’s education and care curriculum	C
13	CHCECE045	Foster positive and respectful interactions and behaviour in children	C
14	CHCECE046	Implement strategies for the inclusion of all children	C
15	CHCSAC010	Foster holistic learning, development and wellbeing for school age children	E

CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

CHC30121 - Course Outline

#	Code	Title	C/E
1	HLTWHS001	Participate in workplace health and safety	C
2	CHCECE031	Support children’s health, safety and wellbeing	C
3	CHCECE056	Work effectively in children’s education and care	C
4	CHCPRT001	Identify and respond to children and young people at risk	C
5	CHCECE055	Meet legal and ethical obligations in children’s education and care	C
6	CHCECE034	Use an approved learning framework to guide practice	C
7	CHCECE030	Support inclusion and diversity	C
8	CHCDIV001	Work with diverse people	E
9	CHCECE054	Encourage understanding of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples’ cultures	C
10	CHCECE032	Nurture babies and toddlers	C
11	CHCECE033	Develop positive and respectful relationships with children	C
12	BSBSUS411	Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices	E
13	CHCECE037	Support children to connect with the natural environment	C
14	CHCECE035	Support the holistic learning and development of children	C
15	CHCECE036	Provide experiences to support children’s play and learning	C
16	CHCECE038	Observe children to inform practice	C
17	HLTAID012	Provide First Aid in an education and care setting	C

Course Information

Delivery Modes

We offer a blended learning style to students. This incorporates self-paced, face to face and online based learning.

Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Skills (LLND)

An LLND assessment will be provided to all students prior to enrolment.

If you feel that you may need extra support in the areas of language, literacy, numeracy, and digital skills please raise this at the orientation meeting, on the LLND application and/or via email at college@acornchildcare.com.au

Further resources to assist you are:

Reading and Writing Hotline https://www.readingwritinghotline.edu.au/
Scoop Education https://www.scoop.it/
Free Education Resources https://www.education.com/resources/el a/
Language and Learn Free Resources https://www.languageandlearn ing.com.au/library/free-resources-foronline-learning-learning-to-read-spell/
Reading Writing Centre https://readingwritingcentre.education.qld.gov.au/resources

Student Support

The health, safety and wellbeing of our staff and students is our priority.

In the case of an emergency, please call 000. If you need someone to talk to, the following organisations offer telephone support:

Lifeline: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
Sexual Assault Line (DV Connect): 1800 010 120
Domestic Violence Hotline (DV Connect): 1800 811 811
Gambling Help Online 24/7: 1800 858 858

You can also access online support through headspace, Lifeline, and Kids Helpline or QNADA – Indigenous Wellbeing Centre (IWC).

For trainees and apprentices, MEGT offer support. Reach out to them via their website

Mentoring Services for apprentices | MEGT (Australia) Ltd

Ph: 136348

Email: acpinfo@megt.com.au

Acorn College supports learners with diverse needs, including disability and language support. Reasonable adjustments are available to ensure equal participation. Our College Director and Trainers assist with wellbeing, study skills, and workplace integration.

Student Admissions Criteria

Student Admission Requirements

To be eligible for enrolment in Acorn College’s Early Childhood Education and Care programs, applicants must meet the following criteria:

General Eligibility

Be aged 18 years or over (students aged 16–17 years may apply for school-based programs with parent/guardian consent and school approval).
Have completed a minimum of Year 10 (Certificate III) or Year 12 (Diploma) or equivalent.
Demonstrate English language proficiency and digital literacy equivalent to ACSF Level 3 via LLND assessment*.
Provide a Unique Student Identifier (USI).
Satisfy financial obligations and agree to Acorn College’s Fees and Refund Policy.
Be physically capable of engaging in the practical aspects of childcare, including lifting, standing, and interacting with young children.

Additional Requirements

Hold or be eligible to apply for a Blue Card / Working with Children Check prior to vocational placement.
Provide evidence of any required immunisations or health checks.
For the Diploma (CHC50121), hold CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care or equivalent.
Commit to completing the mandatory work placement hours (160 hrs – Certificate III; 280 hrs – Diploma).

Learner Cohorts

School-based learners (16–17 years)
Adult learners and career changers
Existing workers seeking upskilling
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) candidates

* Following your LLND and digital skills assessment, Acorn College will advise whether the selected qualification is suitable for your current skill level or recommend alternative pathways.

Reasonable Adjustment & Access and Equity

Reasonable adjustment refers to measures or actions taken to provide a student with a disability the same educational opportunities as everyone else. To be reasonable, adjustments must be appropriate for that person, must not create undue hardship for the RTO and must be allowable within rules defined by the training package or accredited course.

Engaging in reasonable adjustment activities include:

assisting students to identify their learning needs
offering a variety of course options or pathways
offering a variety of delivery modes or methods.

Reasonable adjustment activities could involve:

modifying or providing equipment
changing assessment procedures
changing course delivery
modifying premises.

Please discuss reasonable adjustment options with your trainer at any time throughout your course and we can complete a learning support plan with you.

Work Placement Requirements

Competency based assessment focuses on what the individual can do and know, and is based on work-related skills and requirements, and the application and performance of the individual in the workplace.

Work Placement Requirements

CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care:
Requires a minimum of 160 hours of vocational placement in a regulated early childhood education and care service.
CHC50125 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care:
Requires a minimum of 280 hours of vocational placement.
Students must complete CHC30121 or an equivalent Certificate III qualification prior to Diploma enrolment.

Acorn College will assist learners in securing suitable placements. Students must:

Hold (or be eligible to apply for) a Working with Children Check before placement.
Meet health, safety, and vaccination requirements as specified by the host employer.
Complete required workplace documentation and logbooks for assessment.
Hold a current First Aid certificate

Placement hours are mandatory to achieve competency and qualification issuance.

Assessment Criteria

Assessment is the process of collecting evidence and making valid, reliable and consistent judgments. It can be established several ways, that include, but are not limited to:

Workplace logbooks and documents
On the job observations
Interview questioning
Portfolios of Evidence
Short answer questions
Role playing
Third party reports

Course Delivery Locations

Delivery of CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care and CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care is at Acorn College, located at 140 Bargara Road Bundaberg East QLD 4670.

Student will also need to complete vocational placement as part of the practical requirements of each course.

Regulatory Disclosure and Self-Assurance

Credential Policy Details

At Acorn College, our trainer assessor qualifications meet the credentialing requirements as per ASQA (Australian Skills Quality Authority).

Credential Policy.pdf

Our trainer assessors participate in regular assessment validation and leadership opportunities while maintaining their industry currency within Early Childhood.

Acorn College meets the requirements set by ASQA (Australian Skills Quality Authority) – 2025 Standards for RTOs | Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA)

Fees & Charges

During this pilot period, Acorn College have funded the courses for students. This will change in 2026 with all fees, charges and refund policies to be updated and communicated in advance to prospective and existing students.

How to Apply

To apply for the ‘CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care’ or ‘CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care’ course, simply enquire on our website using the form on this page.

Our staff will be in touch to provide more information and the next steps.

Acorn College will only advertise qualifications on its scope of registration.

Acorn College is officially registered as a Registered Training Organisation – RTO-46167

Get Involved, Submit Your Enrolment Enquiry Today!

Are you ready to embark on an exciting career in Early Childhood Education? Whether you’re a student eager to learn or an employer seeking skilled professionals, we invite you to connect with us.

Join us at Acorn College and help shape the future of early learning in Bundaberg.

Together, we can make a difference!

Acorn College – Acorn Childcare Pty Ltd – is a Registered Training Organisation
(RTO) based in Bundaberg, offering Training, Assessment and Recognition of Prior
Learning (RPL) for to students for qualifications in Early Childhood. RTO: 46167