$350 million available to improve early childhood education and care
15 Dec 2011
THE HON KATE ELLIS MP Minister for Employment Participation and Child Care
The Australian Government is calling on quality organisations to apply for around $350 million in grant funding to deliver professional development and inclusion support for early childhood education and care services. The support provided allows staff working in early childhood to get the skills and support they need to deliver higher quality education and care services, including making their centre more inclusive for children with additional needs.
Minister for Employment Participation and Child Care, Kate Ellis, said there is nothing more important than ensuring young Australians get the very best start in life.
“Research from around the world tells us that if we provide young children with a great education from day one, they are much more likely to live happier, healthier and more productive lives,” Ms Ellis said.
“We know the key to positive early learning experiences is to ensure the staff who are looking after our kids have high skill levels so that they know how to make every child feel confident and comfortable while they’re learning.
“That’s why the Australian Government is investing around $350 million in providing professional development, advice and a range our resources to support the early childhood sector workforce.
Ms Ellis said the Australian Government has and will continue to make changes to the grants program to ensure it is targeted at providing the support the early childhood sector needs.
“Over the past 18 months we have consulted with those who work in the sector and based on their feedback, we’ve made important changes to the grants program to make it more effective and to better meet the needs of early childhood education and care staff regardless of the location of their service.
“These improvements are good news for those in early childhood who want to enhance their professionalism and good news for the children under their care,” Ms Ellis said.
The Government has taken on board feedback from providers and early childhood education and care services, and has streamlined the program so that it provides nationally consistent support and professional development to the sector’s workforce.
The Government is working with the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority and state and territory governments on the content of the professional development and resource materials to be used. This will improve the quality of early childhood services available to families across the nation.
“We’ve also cut red tape, moving to online application and claims processes, ensuring skilled education and care workers spend more time with children, and less time on paperwork,” Ms Ellis said.
“We are taking practical steps to make professional development more accessible for child care workers. This includes establishing a national online resource library that will be available free of charge to those in the sector.
“The Australian Government is serious about giving our kids the best start in life and we stand ready to make this $350 million investment.
The grants will be made available through the Inclusion and Professional Support Program. Applications for the Program close on 24 February 2012. Successful applicants will be announced mid 2012.
Applications will be considered and grants made in line with the Inclusion and Professional Support Program Guidelines 2013-2016. Guidelines and full application requirements are available at www.deewr.gov.au/IPSPapplications
For further information visit: www.deewr.gov.au/earlychildhood/programs