Goodstart supports Graduate ECTs with new program

Goodstart Early Learning have launched a new program aimed at supporting new graduates who commence with their centres. The program, called the Graduate Teacher Program, was announced by Goodstart on Friday last week, is designed to support graduate early childhood teachers (ECTs) to settle into their new roles.

The 18-month graduate program sits within the Teacher Professional Program offered by Goodstart, and allows graduates to:  

• Access 19 hours of induction – seven hours of mandatory training and 12 hours of activities selected to meet each graduate’s specific needs

• Design and deliver curriculum informed by children’s perspectives

• Build a professional network, and;

• Develop professional identity and increase leadership capacity.

General manager of pedagogy and practice at Goodstart, Sue Robb, said that the program will support graduate ECTs to develop a sense of belonging, as well as come to understand the ways of work and build connections with fellow graduates, experienced teachers, and the broader operational team.

Highlighting the programs value, head of the teacher program Katey De Gioia said that the program offers graduated the opportunity to be mentored and supported by experienced teachers, to help them achieve proficient or full accreditation.

“At the culmination of the graduate program, teachers will have completed the requirements needed to achieve proficient or full teacher registration/accreditation,” Ms De Gioia said.

ECTs working with Goodstart are offered a range of opportunities through the Teacher Professional Program, such as access to the Social Inclusion Support Team, the Professional Practice Team, and additional programing time to prepare transition to school statements.

To be eligible for the program, teachers require an NQF approved early childhood teaching qualification.

There is more information on Goodstart’s Graduate Teacher Program here.