Media releases

• Early childhood educators can gain a teaching qualification while they work.
• Generous scholarships are available for eligible Bachelor and post-graduate study.
• Federation is partnering with the Victorian Government to grow Victoria’s early childhood workforce.

Victorian early childhood educators will be able to complete a teaching degree while they work as part of a new partnership between Federation University Australia, the Victorian Government and TAFE providers.

The Victorian Government’s Early Childhood Tertiary Partnerships Program will help Diploma-qualified early childhood educators obtain a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education while working in a kindergarten or long day-care service.

The program will help early childhood educators advance their careers by becoming qualified early childhood teachers, supporting the delivery of kindergarten programs for three- and four-year-old children in Victoria.

Program participants will work in their place of employment for up to three days a week, attend university classes one day a week, and get further practical experience at a separate ‘buddy’ early childhood service one day a week.

They can then continue to upskill by completing a fourth year through the Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education.

Students participating in the program may be eligible for Department of Education scholarships, including $25,000 to complete the Bachelor’s degree, financial support for study materials, and subsidised travel for regional and rural students. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants can access even greater financial support.

More information about the Victorian Government’s Early Childhood Scholarships Program can be found here: https://www.vic.gov.au/financial-support-study-and-work-early-childhood.

The Early Childhood Tertiary Partnerships Program will be offered at Federation’s Mt Helen, Gippsland and Berwick campuses. For more information, or to enrol for semester 2, 2024, visit https://federation.edu.au/institutes-and-schools/ieac/early-childhood-tertiary-partnership or https://www.vic.gov.au/early-childhood-tertiary-partnerships-program.

Quotes attributable to Federation University Acting Director of Academic Operations in the Institute of Education, Arts and Community, Associate Professor Anna Fletcher

“Early childhood educators have a critical role to play in shaping the lives of young children and this initiative will allow them to continue to work in the sector while boosting their qualifications to take the next step in their career.”

“As Victoria’s premier regional university, Federation is proud to collaborate with the State Government, TAFE and the early education sector to address skills shortages in regional areas.”

Quotes attributable to a Department of Education spokesperson

“We’re working with universities and training providers to provide additional support for Victorian students while they study to become an early childhood teacher or educator.”

“Federation’s three-year program of classroom and hands-on learning will give aspiring teachers the training and support they need to have a great career in early childhood education.”