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Support for the Victorian early childhood workforce

Discover the various programs, initiatives and funding opportunities available to support early childhood professionals throughout their careers.

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Published by:
Department of Education
Date:
24 Mar 2025

The department offers a variety of programs to support early childhood teachers (ECTs), educators and service leaders. This guide is designed to help early childhood professionals navigate these supports.

Each of the supports managed by the department aligns with the 6 areas for action identified in the Best Start, Best Life Workforce Strategy: Continuing to value and grow the kindergarten workforce which was developed following the extensive Best Start, Best Life consultation process.

Initiatives led by the Australian Government Department of Education, the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) and Beyond Blue are also included to provide a high-level overview of the broader range of supports available.

This publication is broken into the following 4 sections:

  • Supports for early career ECTs and educators
  • Supports for experienced ECTs and educators
  • Supports for leaders
  • Financial supports available

If you would like to be one of the first to know about programs being offered, grant rounds and other important information, sign up to receive the department’s Early Childhood Update newsletter monthly.

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Coming in 2025

The department is developing professional learning programs for all early childhood teachers and educators, particularly those in their early career, on the following topics:

  • intentional teaching
  • team teaching
  • disability and inclusion.

The department will also release the following in 2025:

  • an updated Three-Year Old Kindergarten Teaching Toolkit
  • Resources and e-modules to support those involved in the induction and onboarding of staff.

  • Supports for early career ECTs and educators

    Programs designed to support the transition from study to practice and create opportunities for new ECTs to develop their skills and networks.

  • Supports for experienced ECTs and educators

    Programs designed to support professional development and provide opportunities to network with and learn from other teachers and educators.

  • Supports for leaders

    The department offers various programs to lift leadership capabilities and facilitate the sharing of knowledge and best practice.

  • Financial supports available

    Information about scholarships and incentives available to support ECTs and educators to upskill and take on new, rewarding opportunities during their career in the early childhood sector.

Updated

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