The scale of the Best Start, Best Life reforms means some degree of change at every service, whether your service is a large provider with multiple programs, or a small kindergarten with a parent-run committee of management.
The way your service approaches making changes to deliver more hours of kindergarten will depend on what is right for your service and community.
When you are considering how to increase your program hours, your local Early Childhood Improvement Branch(opens in a new window) can help you to explore:
- changes to your program modelling, such as through multi-age or rotational groups
- grants, supports and initiatives available for new and expanded facilities, and to improve existing facilities.
This advice will be tailored to the characteristics of your service, and your unique circumstances.
Your local Early Childhood Improvement Branch can also talk to you about the initiatives in place to support services to attract and retain workforce, including:
- Best Start, Best Life communications collateral to encourage people from all backgrounds to choose careers in early childhood education
- scholarships, Free TAFE and flexible and supported study pathways (including traineeships and other employment based options) for new students wanting to become teachers or educators as well as for existing educators looking to upskill
- financial incentives available for early childhood teachers and educators to join or re-join the Victorian kindergarten sector. Relocation support may also be available, including for those moving with families
- recruitment supports to help services and providers find early childhood professionals seeking a new role or a move to Victoria
- induction, coaching and mentoring supports for early career teachers and educators, to enhance the transition from study to practice
- professional development and career supports, including coaching, Early Years Learning Networks, and programs to enhance leadership and career development
- guides to careers in early childhood education are also available to support secondary school students to explore the range of study and career pathways available, and services may find them helpful to support discussions with other interested members of the community.
Resources
- Delivering Pre-Prep to children from priority cohorts: for information about what to consider with program models at your service to maximise outcomes for children
- Shaping the Best Start, Best Life reforms(opens in a new window): to see the infrastructure and workforce strategies
- Early childhood grants(opens in a new window): for information about Building Blocks and other early childhood infrastructure grants
- Career opportunities and support: for information about job opportunities and support available for anyone interested in a career in early childhood education
- Guide to careers in early childhood education: for more information on study and career pathways in early childhood education
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