Frequently Asked Questions

Enrolment

How long does the enrolment process take?

Processing of enrolments and distribution of learning materials takes 14 working days. If you have submitted qualifications and transcripts for credit transfer for consideration, the enrolment and distribution of learning materials will take 21 working days.  Your first package will include the first units of your course, Student  Information Handbook, Unit List and Student Units Order Form.  You can commence study as soon as you receive your package.  

Can I enrol in the Diploma of Children's Services (Early childhood education and care) without completing the Certificate III in Children's Services?

The Certificate III in Children's Services is the compulsory prerequisite for the Diploma of Children's Services (Early childhood education and care). However, you can enrol in the Diploma of Children's Services (Early childhood education and care) and complete the core units of the Certificate III in Children's Services before commencing the Diploma units. IMPORTANT NOTE: If you do enrol in the Diploma of Children's Services (Early childhood education and care) please be aware that you will not be issued with a Certificate III in Children's Services at any time as all units for this qualification will not have been completed.

Methods of payment for units

Units can be purchased by credit card over the phone or online via the ECTARC website.  If students wish to send a cheque for payment it must be accompanied with a completed Students Units Order form.

Unit Orders

How long does it take to receive a unit after purchase?

Units will be sent from the ECTARC office 10 working days once funds have been cleared.

Marking

What is the turnaround time for units to be marked and returned?

It will take 4 weeks for the marking and return of assignments.   

What if I receive a not yet competent result on my assignment?

If you receive a not yet competent result you have the opportunity to redo the assignment and resubmit it for a reassessment. Contact your Training & Development Officer for guidance.

Assignments

Practicum

Can I do my practicum at the place where I work? And what happens if I don’t have all the ages there?

Yes, you can complete your practicum at any children’s service, so long as there is a qualified Workplace Supervisor (who hold the Diploma in Children’s Services or above) to supervise and mentor you. This can be voluntary, casual or permanent work.

If the required ages are not at the service you are at, you will need to access another service (of your choice) to complete the required hours for that particular age group. An ‘Advice of Practicum form’ is required to be completed and submitted to ECTARC if this applies.

Certification

How long after I've sent everything in, does it take for me to receive my certificate? 

It takes approximately 4 weeks for all assessment and administration processes to be completed before a certificate is issued. 

Trainees must submit the final assessment and a signed Traineeship Record Book before a certificate can be issued. 

Student Forum

The ECTARC Live website now hosts a new online student forum. Once a student has registered for ECTARC Live they are automatically enrolled and have access to the forum.  However, the first time that a student attempts to access the forum to view or post a message, a screen will pop asking you to enter a FORUM ALIAS - this is the name that will appear on any posts you place on the forum. An ALIAS can be any word/s you like.  You can call yourself anything you like and then remain anonymous or you can put your own name.  It also allows you to put a signature (any additional information you wish to share with other forum users) or an avatar (picture) but we recommend you ignore these fields.

Simply enter a FORUM ALIAS name in the box and just press the SUBMIT button to start posting and accessing the forum.

 Why hasn't my post appeared on the forum?

The forum administrator needs to approve all posts before they go 'live' to ensure all content is appropriate and to eliminate the possibility of spam infiltrating the system.  Posts should appear within 48 hours of submission.