Queensland Government expands early childhood workforce capability with new leadership program

Educational leaders working in Queensland Free Kindy services will have access to free university-delivered micro-credentials through a new $2.75 million workforce initiative.

The Queensland Government has launched the Queensland Educational Leadership Program (QELP), a five-year initiative designed to strengthen leadership capability across the state’s early childhood education and care sector.

Delivered online in partnership with Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and the Early Learning and Care Council of Australia (ELACCA), the program will support up to 500 educational leaders from metropolitan, regional, rural and remote communities.

The online delivery model is intended to improve access to professional learning for leaders across Queensland, including those who may otherwise face barriers associated with distance, travel and time away from their service.

QELP will offer two accredited micro-credential courses tailored to the participant’s experience as an educational leader.

The Advanced Course is now open for enrolments and is designed for educational leaders with more than three years’ experience. Participants will explore leadership models, effective team teaching and reflective practice.

A Foundations Course will launch in 2027 for educational leaders with up to three years’ experience. It will focus on leadership skills, change management theory, team teaching, observation and assessment.

Educational leaders will complete the course appropriate to their experience rather than undertaking both micro-credentials.

Each course will involve approximately 50 hours of study over 10 weeks, including facilitated online sessions, independent learning, readings, online discussions and workbook activities.

Both courses align with the Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guideline and the National Quality Standard.

The program will support educational leaders to:

• Understand, identify and implement quality practice
• Use data and evidence to inform practice improvement
• Lead teams through change
• Strengthen team teaching, observation and assessment
• Support children’s continuity of early learning

QUT will lead the design, delivery and evaluation of the program, translating research into practical strategies that educational leaders can apply within their own services.

QELP is available to educational leaders working in community kindergartens and long day care services that are approved Queensland kindergarten program providers.

Eligible employers will receive $1,000 to support staff participation in the program.

The payment is intended to help services manage the operational requirements associated with releasing an educational leader to complete the training.

This support may be particularly valuable for smaller and regional services, where arranging backfill and creating time for professional learning can present significant challenges.

Minister for Education and the Arts John-Paul Langbroek described the $2.75 million investment as a “gamechanger” for Queensland’s early childhood workforce.

“The Queensland Educational Leadership Program is about empowering our hardworking educational leaders to gain new credentials, lead with confidence, and make a lasting impact on children’s learning and development,” Minister Langbroek said.

He said early childhood educators and leaders played an important role in supporting children’s development and maintaining safe learning environments.

QUT School of Education Dean and Head Professor Terri Bourke said QELP would expand access to high-quality professional learning across Queensland.

ELACCA Chief Executive Officer Dr Amanda Walsh said investing in current and future leaders would contribute to better and safer early learning experiences for children.

The program represents a targeted investment in the educational leader role, which carries significant responsibility for guiding curriculum decision-making, supporting educator practice and leading continuous improvement.

Providing structured professional learning may help services build leadership capability internally and create clearer development pathways for educators interested in progressing into leadership positions.

The initiative also recognises that consistent, high-quality practice relies on educational leaders having the knowledge, confidence and time to guide their teams effectively.

The announcement coincided with Early Childhood Educators’ Day, with Minister Langbroek acknowledging the leadership, professionalism and dedication of Queensland’s early childhood workforce.

The QELP Advanced Course is scheduled to begin on 6 October 2026. Further information about eligibility, course requirements and enrolment is available through the Queensland Educational Leadership Program website.