Professional development

Final day to apply for $20,000 of financial support to boost inclusive practice

Freya Lucas

Oct 10, 2022

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Today is the final day for New South Wales early childhood teachers (ECTs) to apply for up to $20,000 of financial support to enhance their skills and knowledge to support children with additional needs.

The funding, delivered as part of the Early Childhood Inclusive Education Scholarships program, opened last month for the first time to help ECTs develop specialised skills and knowledge to support children with additional needs, thanks to the $281.6 million Workforce Package to attract and retain early childhood education and care (ECEC) staff over the next four years.

Successful applicants will receive a cash boost of up to $20,000 to begin or complete a Master of Special and Inclusive Education, specialising in Early Childhood. $10,000 is available for those commencing or finishing their Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Disability and Support.

“We know that most children with disability will benefit from participating in early learning,” Deputy Secretary of Education and Skills Reform Gillian White said, “with positive impacts on their communication, relationships, play and behaviours.”

“More than 85 per cent of community preschool educators work with a child with disability and these scholarships will ensure we have a workforce with the qualifications, knowledge and understanding to teach and support children in inclusive settings."

The scholarship program is just one of a number of important strategies the NSW Government has to address workforce supply issues.  

“The NSW Government values our early learning professionals and understands the need to attract more people who are qualified in providing inclusive education in early childhood education services across the state,” she said.

“Our vision is to have a highly qualified and sustainable workforce, including more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander early childhood teachers as a priority, across the state so that we can improve outcomes for all children and their families as part of our Early Years Commitment.” 

Applications for the Early Childhood Inclusive Scholarships program close on 10 October 2022.  

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