Learn about the range of supports available to you and your service.
Professional support for kindergarten programs
Kindergarten Inclusion Service
The
Kindergarten Inclusion Service increases the confidence, knowledge and skills of educators to create an inclusive learning environment for children with additional needs, through specialist support.
Kindy uplift
Kindy uplift improves children's learning and participation by providing funding for resources, supports and professional development to build educator capability and strengthen the cultural responsiveness of services. Kindy uplift advisors are available to services to support their planning and implementation.
Early childhood guidance program pilot
The
early childhood guidance program pilot focuses on building capacity in protective behaviours and positive behaviour guidance.
Planning days
Kindergarten teachers delivering the kindergarten program are provided with funding to cover
backfill arrangements for 2 planning days per year in 2024.
Building and supporting pathways to a better career
Qualifications Pathways Program
Access to a supported scholarship scheme to upgrade qualifications (certificate III, diploma, bachelor and graduate diploma). The
Qualifications Pathways Program is intended to meet the individual needs of early childhood educators to complete their qualifications through provision of tuition subsidies, paid practicums and wrap around supports.
Practicum Placement Scheme
Practicum Placement Scheme provides support for eligible educators to access 1 paid practicum in 2024, while they work towards becoming an early childhood teacher.
Early childhood teacher (ECT) subsidies in approved kindergarten programs
Financial support to improve the pay and working conditions of ECTs and diploma educators delivering
approved kindergarten programs in long day care (LDC) services.
Minimum funding of up to $1,535.60 per eligible enrolled child per year is provided to LDC services to provide improved pay and working conditions for ECTs and up to 2 diploma-qualified educators delivering the kindergarten program.
Check with the approved provider of your service.
Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander professionals
Study on Country—Remote Area Teacher Education Program (RATEP)
TAFE Queensland will provide increased access to study support, residential study blocks and mentoring for
early childhood professionals in remote locations to complete their qualifications successfully.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce forum
An early childhood workforce forum to provide professional development and influence future workforce initiatives.
Next generation of cultural leaders
Access to leadership programs supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander early childhood professionals at various stages of their career.
Regional and remote support
Regional and remote location subsidy (ECTs only)
The
location subsidy is designed to assist service providers to attract and retain a qualified ECT to deliver an approved kindergarten program. Provided to eligible kindergartens, where the service is located in an Eligible Remoteness Category using the Australian Bureau of Statistics remoteness measure at the SA2 geographic level. Financial support is based on per child, per year for ECTs delivering approved kindergarten programs.
- Outer regional—$403.70 per child per annum (minimum payment $8,881.40)
- Remote—$1,051.40 per child per annum (minimum payment $23,130.80)
- Very remote—$1,516.60 per child per annum (minimum payment $33,365.20)
Note: These figures are current as at 1 January 2024 and are subject to change based on indexation rates.
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 an early childhood qualification. The week-long program, held quarterly in Cairns, allows participants to build connections between theory and practice and provides opportunities for networking and collaborating with other early childhood educators.
Rural and remote conference subsidies
Support for early childhood educators in rural and remote locations to attend early childhood conferences.
Ongoing
Workforce career expos
Showcasing the early childhood profession and promotion of the various career pathways and opportunities.
On the horizon
Watch this space for a number of upcoming initiatives to support the early childhood workforce.
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Centre for Early Childhood Educator Learning and Development—access to a learning and development centre dedicated to grow the early childhood workforce and enhance the capability and wellbeing of early childhood educators.
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Professional recognition and wellbeing—enhancing early childhood teacher registration with the
Queensland College of Teachers.
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Workforce campaign—improved recognition of early childhood professionals, their contribution to early childhood development and the value of pursuing a career in early childhood.
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Leadership programs—access to leadership programs, targeting early childhood educators at various career stages, to grow the capability of the early childhood workforce.
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Transition into the workplace—community support for early childhood teachers, service coordinators and their families relocating to regional and remote locations.
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Supporting families through change—access to training and resources to support children and families who have experienced natural disasters and to prepare for future events.
Resources