High quality early childhood education plays a critical role in supporting children to learn and thrive.
Today, the ACT Government released the new early childhood education and care workforce strategy.
Valuing Educators, Values Children: A Workforce Strategy for the ACT Early Childhood Education and Care Profession (2023-25) builds on the biggest ever investment into early childhood education, delivered through this year's ACT budget.
The Strategy outlines a range of actions to be delivered over the next few years, across four focus areas: sector support, capability building, career pathways and professional recognition.
These actions aim to ensure that educators and early childhood professionals in the ACT are well supported, valued and respected.
Delivering this strategy acknowledges the challenges facing the sector so these can be addressed. Its actions align to the delivery of broader national childhood reforms.
A sector reference group will be established to oversee the delivery of this strategy and ensure it meets the needs of the early childhood education and care workforce.
Minister for Education and Early Childhood Development Yvette Berry said "Early childhood educators play an invaluable role in fostering the development and growth of our littlest learners."
"The Valuing Educators, Values Children: Workforce Strategy reaffirms the ACT Government's commitment to supporting, building and respecting the early childhood profession now and into the future."
The full strategy can be found online at https://www.education.act.gov.au/early-childhood.
The publication of this strategy is timely as the ACT Government moves towards implementing universal free three-year-old preschool in January 2024, providing eligible families with up to 300 hours of free preschool.
Quote attributable to the co-chairs of the Children First Alliance, Simon Bennett and Mandy Green:
"Investing in our early childhood educators has never been more important, as a strong qualified workforce is essential to delivering quality early childhood education and care."
"The ACT Children First Alliance (CFA) welcomes the workforce strategy that recognises educator's and their significant contribution to the early education of children, and we look forward to working with the ACT Government to develop and implement the initiatives."
Quote attributable to Francis Aparta, ACT Government Early Childhood Degree Scholarship Program recipient:
Francis Aparta is the Assistant Director at Goodstart Early Learning Isaacs and he is currently studying for his Early Childhood Teaching degree.
Francis loves working in the early childhood sector and making a difference in the lives of children. Being a recipient of this ACT Government scholarship has meant that Francis can progress his career, gain valuable qualifications and continue to do the work he loves teaching our littlest learners.
"The scholarship has meant that I can finish my degree in early childhood teaching faster and the next stage of my career is more accessible. I am really thankful for the opportunity and for the wonderful team I work with that supports me every day."
