Thursday, 4 August 2022

Ministers statements: early childhood education

Ms STITT (Western Metropolitan—Minister for Workplace Safety, Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep) (12:18): I am pleased to update the house on the work that is underway to give children in Victoria the best start and best life. Last month I had the pleasure of visiting Guardian Childcare & Education in Abbotsford, where I met educators Lily, Irena and Chetna. These three women have more than 25 years of combined experience working in early learning, and it was terrific to hear how they are progressing with their teaching studies at the Australian Catholic University.

The Andrews Labor government has partnered with three universities—ACU, Deakin and Vic Uni—to deliver the innovative initial teacher education program. It means that educators who already have a diploma and experience in the field can have that work recognised and take on accelerated bachelor degrees. The best thing is that we are supporting these students with scholarships worth $25 000 to cover course fees, along with support for paid study leave and course materials. Lily, Irena and Chetna told me that without the financial support and flexible ways to study they simply would not have been able to pursue their dream to become kindergarten teachers.

This is all part of a $209.9 million workforce package, and there will be more to come. The $9 billion we recently announced for early learning centres over the decade will create 5000 new jobs on top of the 6000 created through three-year-old kinder. I see firsthand as I visit kindergartens the pride that educators take in their work and the difference they make to the lives of young children and families. I thank them for that work, and I look forward to working with them, their unions and stakeholders on these important reforms.