Dear colleagues
Next week marks National Careers Week (12 – 18 May 2025), a time to celebrate the pathways into the early childhood education and care (ECEC) profession and promote different career development opportunities. ECEC careers have great diversity of experiences and endpoints – including pedagogical, research, and organisational leadership – and fantastic flexibility. These aspects are a real drawcard for the profession. Careers in ECEC are important for the whole community, and help to shape the lives of young children, laying the foundations for their future.
It’s also a good time to reiterate the Victorian Government’s commitment to supporting and elevating the ECEC workforce. The government’s reforms to Three- and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten programs need a growing workforce and it is fantastic to see that the workforce delivering funded kindergarten programs in Victoria has increased by more than 50% since 2019.
The workforce is continuing to grow, thanks to the efforts of the sector and with the support of the Victorian Government’s investment in programs to attract and retain early childhood teachers and educators.
More than 5,000 early childhood teaching scholarships have been awarded since 2019 and more on-the-job training and career development opportunities have been launched, through partnerships with universities and training providers – all while continuing to support the existing workforce to expand their skills and capabilities. In this edition, you can read the inspiring story of Jennie Martin, who has embraced the opportunities available to her and has pursued a rewarding career.
To help you and your teams develop and expand on your skills, regardless of career stage, we have a range of professional development opportunities available, some of which you can read more about in this edition.
Finally, I’m pleased to announce that nominations are now open for the Victorian Early Years Awards (VEYA). This year, we’re celebrating 20 years of recognising the outstanding work by the early years sector to improve the health, learning, development and wellbeing of Victorian children and their families.
If you know someone – be it yourself, your team, or an inspiring individual – who deserves recognition, be sure to shine a spotlight on their impact by nominating them.
Wishing you all the best for the month ahead.
Bronwen FitzGerald
Deputy Secretary
Early Childhood Education
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