ECEC coaching and mentoring a strong priority for Vic Government with 2 new programs

The Victorian Government has released information about two coaching and mentoring programs from Term 2 2023, designed to support both new and existing early childhood education and care professionals in their work with children, as well as offering experienced practitioners an opportunity to share their skills more broadly. 

Coaching: Gowrie Victoria 

The first program, offered by Gowrie Victoria is a free coaching service available for teachers and educators returning to or joining the Victorian early childhood workforce.

Gowrie Victoria will coordinate the coaching, which supports early childhood professionals returning to the sector following a period of extended leave, as well as those transitioning to the Victorian sector after working as a teacher or educator interstate or overseas.

The program will help returning teachers and educators familiarise themselves with relevant programs and frameworks, such as the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework, as well as connecting participants to local networks and development opportunities.

Gowrie Victoria is currently seeking expressions of interest from people keen to participate in the program starting in Term 2, 2023. For further information, refer to the Gowrie Victoria website.

Coach and mentor training program

The second offering is coming directly from the Victorian Department of Education, which is offering a new Coach and Mentor Training program for experienced early childhood educators and teachers from Term 2, 2023.

The program will help experienced professionals in the sector develop their skills to become a coach and mentor for new educators and teachers.

Based on best-practice standards and research, the Coach and Mentor Training program will have core modules focused on coaching and mentoring theory and skills.

Additional specialist modules are available to tailor this program to address participants’ professional learning needs or priority areas within their service.

The program will be delivered over three months and will include both online and in-person content.

For more information, including eligibility details, refer to the Coach and Mentor Training program.