The Early Childhood Teacher Scholarships for Pathway Students scheme was established to increase children’s access to a quality kindergarten program in the year before they commence school. Many children miss out on a kindergarten program because they attend a long day care centre that does not employ a qualified early childhood teacher.
It is a great time to consider a professional career in early childhood teaching. The focus on neurological development has generated increased interest and attention on the early years by families, communities and government. Quality early childhood education and experiences are critical to the thinking, problem solving and emotional development of young children and deliver better outcomes in pre-reading and social development.
In 2008/09 there are 50 two year Early Childhood Teacher Scholarships for Pathway Students available for staff currently working in long day care centres who hold a Diploma in Children’s Services (or equivalent) to upgrade their qualification to an Early Childhood Degree. Successful applicants will be required to work for two years as an early childhood teacher in a funded kindergarten program in a long day care centre upon completion of their studies.
Successful applicants will receive payments totalling $6,000 over two years to contribute towards their study costs, and will be eligible to receive literacy assistance while they are studying. In addition, their employer is eligible for reimbursement of costs to release their staff member for up to 20 days to undertake study requirements.
Applications are invited from people currently working in long day care centres who hold a Diploma in Children’s Services (or equivalent) that is a recognised early childhood qualification in Victoria, and intend to commence an early childhood teaching degree course in 2009 or continue their studies in 2008 or 2009.
Applicants are advised to check that the early childhood teaching qualification that they intend to undertake is a qualification that is approved for employment as a kindergarten teacher in a licensed Victorian children’s service.
A list of approved qualifications to work in early childhood can be found here: Schedule of Early Childhood Qualifications.
To apply, download the following documents:
Applications will be assessed in the following rounds:
Round 1 Round 2
Open 1 August 2008 Open 3 November 2008
Close 31 October 2008 Close 24 December 2008
Round 3 Round 4
Open 2 January 2009 Open 2 March 2009
Close 27 February 2009 Close 30 April 2009
For more information contact the Early Childhood Programs Division:
Telephone: 1300 651 662
Email: early.years.workforce@edumail.vic.gov.au