Training and capability building

​​​​​​​​Achieving better outcomes for children requires a workforce that is qualified, skilled and valued.

Key initiatives to enhance the capacity of Queensland's early childhood workforce include:

• Rural and remote residential program—​the rural and remote residential program supports educators from rural and remote communities by providing study support ​to assist in the completion of a Certificate III or Diploma of Early Childhood qualification.​
  

The Department of Education has hosted a quarterly residential block in Cairns since 2015. The week-long program supports the supply of suitably qualified early childhood educators in rural and remote Queensland.

Educators who attend the program will have access to a week of training by their Registered Training Organisation (RTO) to:

• support the completion of units in Certificate III and/or Diploma Early Childhood qualifications
• participate in site visits to early childhood services to observe and implement theory into practice that aligns to their units of study
• engage with guest speakers to build connections between theory and practice​
  

• provide opportunities for networking and collaborating with other early childhood ​educators.​
  

Educators in the Cairns area who are currently completing their Certificate III or Diploma of Early Childhood may speak to their RTO to find out more information about the residential program.

• Early childhood through RATEP—RATEP aims to increase the employment of Indigenous teachers and grow the capability of Indigenous paraprofessionals within Queensland. RATEP is a community-based Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander teacher education program offered in Queensland's remote, rural and urban areas. Early childhood through RATEP allows educators to gain or upgrade early childhood qualifications while living and working in their home communities.

The qualifications available include:


• ​Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
• Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

• Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education and C​are).​
  

Delivery is through a mix of online and face-to-face methods by attending residential blocks wi​th other students studying in remote areas. Students will receive ongoing study support from tertiary education teachers and a RATEP Teacher Coordinator while they continue to live and work in their community. Tailored study support is also available with a dedicated RATEP Early Childhood Teacher Coordinator in the community.

For more information contact the State Program Coordinator on telephone (07) 4037 3836.​

• Early childhood training skill sets—a number of early childhood skill sets are available through the Queensland Government's Higher Level Skills subsidy program to assist educators to gain the higher level skills required to help secure employment in the sector or career advancement. These include:

• Team Leader Skills set
  For leading and coordinating teams in health or community sector.
• Supporting children and families with complex needs
  For providing services and support to families and children with complex needs in the community sector.
  

Related information

• Qualifications list—learn about approved (and formerly approved) qualifications.
• Where you can work—learn about the types of services where you can use your qualifications.
• Course requirements​—learn about course requirements to become an early childhood teacher.

Help and support

• Financial assistance—get financial help for education study.
• Free TAFE courses—free priority TAFE courses for Year 12 graduates.
  
• Professional development— find out about services and resources to upgrade your qualifications.
• Employment conditions— learn about rights and entitlements and blue card requirements.
• Contact us​— Early Childhood information service.

Resources

• Age-appropriate pedagogies—extend your knowledge with teaching resources based on age-appropriate pedagogies.
• AEDC resources—professional development resources to support the early childhood sector.
• Early Years Connect—access professional development resources tailored to early childhood educators working with children with disability and/or complex additional needs.
• Early years health and development online training—free, flexible professional development on hygiene practices, infection control, healthy eating, physical activity, injury prevention, safety promotion, and social and emotional wellbeing.
• Early years health and development portal—free tools and resources relating to early years health and development.
  
• Foundations for Success—is a practical guideline to extend and enrich learning for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the kindergarten year.
  
• Inclusion ready​—​a suite of resources to support early childhood services’ inclusive pathways and partnerships.​
  
• Ready Together​—provides culturally enriched guidance on early learning and development. These guiding tools help to ensure the delivery of quality, evidence-based approaches in and across all early years services and kindergartens.
  
• ​Sleep learning research—professional development resources about sleep, rest and relaxation for children.