Opportunities for aspiring ECTs to condense 3 years into 2 and fast track graduation

Diploma-qualified early childhood educators who are keen to take the next step in their careers and undertake study for a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education are being sought by Victoria University (VU), which is partnering with the Victorian State Government to offer up to 300 diploma-qualified kindergarten and early childhood educators the opportunity to complete a fully-funded Bachelor of Early Childhood Teaching degree in a condensed timing model. 

 

The program has been initiated to help meet the demand for degree-qualified teachers which is booming as the Victorian Government rolls out its new funded three-year old kindergarten program.

 

To get teachers into the role more quickly, the degree will condense three years into two, with educators getting credit for their previous study. 

 

While the target for the program is those educators who are already working in the sector, VU Associate Professor Mary-Rose McLaren said this is not a necessary requirement to enrol in the course.

 

For those who are working, however, the program has been set up to allow Bachelor candidates to do a lot of their placement and assessments in their workplace, where they can continue to be paid for their work. 

 

Timing of the lessons has also been designed with the needs of working educators in mind. Students are fully supported with a VU-appointed mentor during their placements, but they do not need to come to the university for class. 

 

Instead, they go to class twice a week via Zoom after work, and once a month on a Saturday, they attend an in-person class, ideally at a site in their local government area. 

 

Importantly, all eligible students (Australian and NZ citizens, and Australian permanent residents) can receive a state government scholarship worth $25,000 to cover their course fees and extras.

 

“This program aims to build the professional capacity of kindergartens and early childhood education centres across Victoria by supplying them with highly qualified, confident teachers, and at the same time, support and empower existing educators to boost their skills,” explained Associate Professor McLaren.

 

A Zoom information meeting about the course will take place on Thursday 9 June at 7pm, ahead of the new intake of students which begins in August. 

 

For further information, email [email protected] or visit www.vu.edu.au/early-childhood