Miles Government investment to boost early childhood education workforce

• Education Minister Di Farmer has announced a more than $33 million investment in boosting the early childhood education workforce
• An initial 2,300 educators will benefit from a range of initiatives
• For the first time, the Miles Government will provide payment to early childhood teachers participating in early childhood prac placements

Education Minister Di Farmer has announced more than $33 million in new initiatives to unlock the potential of early childhood educators and build the workforce.

Under the Queensland Early Childhood Workforce Strategy, new opportunities will be provided to early childhood professionals to develop and advance their careers, through targeted qualification initiatives.

The Miles government knows that a child's early years are absolutely critical in determining whether that child has a positive life trajectory.  

The evidence is overwhelming that positive early childhood experiences have long-term economic and social benefits and that is why we will provide payments to early childhood teachers participating in early childhood prac placements to help combat cost-of-living.

These initiatives include:

• $29 million in the first round of the Qualifications Pathways Program (QPP)
• Up to $2 million to pilot a Practicum Placement Scheme (PPS) this year
• Wrap around coaching and mentoring for educators seeking to upgrade qualifications for Cert III, Diploma, Bachelor and Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood through QPP
• $2.3 million will also fund two planning days in 2024 for every eligible Long Day Care service delivering a kindergarten program

Nearly 2,000 early childhood educators will benefit from the QPP, which will see the Government partner with nine organisations to deliver scholarships to help fund tuition fees for those studying a university qualification, support for practicums or buying equipment to help them finish their studies.

The PPS will support up to 350 eligible early childhood educators to complete their teacher qualification.  Five industry organisations have been approved to administer the pilot program.

Early childhood teachers need time to plan their kindy session and that planning is an integral part of building professionalism in the sector.

That’s why the Miles Government is providing every eligible Long Day Care service delivering a kindergarten program in Queensland with funding for their early childhood teachers to attend two planning days in 2024.

This announcement is more evidence of the Miles Government’s commitment to ensuring all Queensland children are given the best start in life through more access to essential services.

The government is ensuring every child gets a strong start through initiatives like Free Kindy for all Queensland children, more training for staff and educators, workforce attraction programs and the Putting Queensland Kids First package.

For further information on funding available to early childhood educators and services pleased visit https://earlychildhood.qld.gov.au/careers/training-and-capability-building.

Quotes attributable to Education Minister Di Farmer:

“We all believe that every child deserves the same opportunity, and we know an early childhood education is the best way to give them a strong start.

“We know that if a child doesn't have every opportunity to thrive in the first 2,000 days, they are more susceptible to poor life outcomes, and nobody wants that.

“With cost of living front and centre in every household, for the first time the Miles Government will provide payment to early childhood teachers participating in early childhood prac placements.

“Our government is committed to dismantling barriers to make sure we continue to have a highly skilled early childhood workforce.

“Additionally, some educators have been unable to finalise their qualification - even where they have completed the required course content – so our pathways program will bridge that gap too.”

ENDS

Media – Tim Auguston 0427 090 563