Early childhood degrees fast tracked under new Vic Government program

Students studying a Bachelor of Early Childhood in Victoria will now have the opportunity to ‘fast track’ their careers, following the announcement of a new program which will see 90 educators upskill and train through a quality, tailored and accelerated Initial Teacher Education program at Deakin University. 

Victoria’s Minister for Early Childhood Ingrid Stitt launched the program on Saturday, explaining that educators will be able to complete their Bachelor of Early Childhood Education at Deakin University while continuing to work, removing barriers in upskilling for Victorians who may not have been able to take time off work to study. 

Those who already hold a Diploma qualification and are working in the sector will be eligible to become qualified early childhood teachers by undertaking the usual three year degree as a trimester degree over 18 months. 

“This program will unlock the experience of people who are already educating children – who may not have had the opportunity to get a university degree previously – to take on the role of leading kinder programs,” Ms Stitt said.

The first graduates from the initiative will be ready to work as qualified early childhood teachers from 2022, and will therefore be qualified to lead kindergarten programs as Victoria rolls out universal funded three-year-old kindergarten state-wide. 

Financial support packages are also available for early childhood educators, valued at $30,000 to cover course fees and materials, as well as helping with living expenses while they study. 

Students will be supported to continue working part-time as educators while they study, potentially earning around $20,000 per year. In addition, early childhood services will receive direct funding for each student to provide wraparound and mentoring support for educators while they train to become teachers. 

For more information about the program, please see here.