Working Together – Supporting Early Learning pilot hitting the mark, Rockliff says

In a release shared yesterday, Tasmanian Minister for Education and Training, Jeremy Rockliff, said a review of the Working Together – Supporting Early Learning pilot, conducted earlier this year, “confirmed its success, with early positive changes and benefits observed.” 

 

The pilot helps the Tasmanian Government fulfil one of its major election commitments, and forms a part of the larger Plan for Education. 

 

Offering up to 400 hours of free early education to 51 eligible children, across 11 sites, coupled with intensive wrap around support services for their families, the pilot received good reviews from those involved. 

 

One participant noted that they “didn’t have much hope” for their child before the pilot, saying “I thought he would be straight to the too hard basket. But after this and all the help, I’ve got so much hope for him. I’ve never been so excited for his future” 

 

A number of recommendations arose from the pilot, including a call to continually reflect on learnings in order to refine, as well as avoiding “trying to do too much too fast.”

 

The recommendations have been considered, Mr Rockliff said, and will be included in the 2020 state-wide roll out of Working Together, which will see the program expand to 120 placements in 2020, and a total of 240 in 2021.

 

The Government committed to more places being opened up every two years, with updated data sourced in 2021 to guide the selection of further locations.

 

Expressions of interest to apply to deliver the program in future years will open in October for early childhood education and care (ECEC) services in targeted locations.

Locations identified for 2020 include:

• Acton
• Blackmans Bay
• Brighton
• Bridgewater
• Burnie
• Claremont
• Clarendon Vale
• East Devonport
• Gagebrook
• Glenorchy
• Herdsmans Cove
• Howrah
• Invermay
• Kingston
• Moonah
• Mowbray
• Newnham
• New Norfolk
• Newstead
• Oakdowns
• Ravenswood
• Rokeby
• Somerset
• Shorewell Park
• Warrane

 

Mr Rockliff said he was heartened by the feedback from families, service providers and the three year olds who took part in the pilot, saying “Working Together is demonstrating just how much can be achieved when you address the barriers to participation and create opportunities for children to learn, make friends and build confidence.”

 

Information sessions about Working Together will be held throughout Tasmania in late October. For more information, please visit the Tasmanian Education Department website, here.