I completed the Diploma of Community Services, Childrens Services, Centre Based Care about 10 years ago is that the same/ equivilant?
No - the advanced is the next qual up from the diploma.

I completed it in 09 - I did it externally through TAFE and like human bean, RPLd alot of it as I was working as a director and had been for some time so could show that I had sound knowledge of many modules.
It wasn't 'hard' as such, but like hb said, more business oriented than anything to do with the children - more so the families - as in dealing with conflict, etc that may (hahah) arise when dealing with families. Also alot of staffing, marketing, budgeting, operational change type stuff. To be honest, I found it hard going cause it was boring!
I have spoken to others who've done it but not as a director and they found it hard - you really need to be 'running' things to acheive some of the outcomes - so it's great if you're an Ass Dir and get to take the reins a bit. That said, I also know girls who've done it as a group leader - but it was alot of work.