Country NSW ECEC women ready to make the jump to teaching

Four residents of the South West Slopes region of New South Wales are amongst the more than 400 early childhood education and care (ECEC) professionals who have been awarded scholarships to complete studies to become early childhood teachers (ECTs) thanks to the NSW Government’s 2022-23 Early Childhood Education Scholarships Program.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has congratulated Tiffany Piffero of Junee and Ashleigh Armour of South Gundagai, along with Hayley Amos of Cowra and Kyrstye Henry of Grenfell, all of whom secured scholarships recently while already working in the ECEC sector. 

“I am so pleased for these educators who, with the support of these scholarships, will have the opportunity to boost their skills as degree qualified early childhood teachers,” Ms Cooke said.

“Not only will the scholarships be of immense benefit to each of them professionally, but this investment is all about us growing our own, supporting the early childhood workforce and nurturing a sustainable pipeline of future early childhood teachers.”

Ms Armour works at Gumnut Childcare Centre Gundagai and working in the sector “makes me feel excited, elated and full of pride that what we do at this young age, prepares them for learning later in life.” 

Ms Amos has been with Cowra Early Childhood Services for two years and said this scholarship opportunity is life changing.

“I am so grateful, especially as I will finish my degree in December 2024,” Ms Amos said.

NSW Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said one third of all successful scholarship applicants live and work in regional and remote areas across the state.

“With submissions from hundreds of talented applicants, many already working in community preschools and long day care services, it’s great to support these applicants to retrain or start their early childhood career,” Ms Mitchell said.

“These scholarships will support recipients to deepen their understanding of early childhood environments and gain additional skills and capabilities which will be passed on to the children they teach.