NSW Labor makes pre-election pledge: 500 scholarships for ECEC to boost numbers

Chris Minns, the leader of the Labor Party in New South Wales, has made a pre-election promise to fund 500 scholarships for early childhood educators to upgrade their qualifications. 

The $22 million package put forward by Mr Minns would provide 500 scholarships over three years of up to $25,000 for bachelor degrees or diplomas, to fund paid professional development leave and to launch a new study into early childhood delivery models.

Mr Minns highlighted the qualification levels for early childhood education and care (ECEC) professionals in Victoria, noting that they were substantially higher than in NSW, with more than 60 per cent of Victorian educators having either a diploma or degree, compared with just 45 per cent in NSW.

As well as qualification levels, he acknowledged that pay and conditions for ECEC employees are “a major issue” when it comes to retention. 

The announcement was made in the electorate of Liberal-held East Hills – the state’s most marginal electorate after Mr Minns’ own seat of Kogarah, with both seats likely to be close calls in the 25 March election. 

More information about Labor’s ECEC policy in NSW may be found here. For information on the Liberal, National and Greens perspectives use the links provided.