Supports for early career early childhood professionals

The early childhood education and care (ECEC) workforce are at the heart of Victoria’s education system. Due to the range and scale of the Best Start, Best Life (BSBL) reforms, including funded Three-Year-Old Kindergarten and the introduction of Pre-Prep, it is important to recognise, develop and support the existing workforce.

The Victorian Government has invested over $6 million as part of the BSBL reforms, to deliver a range of targeted professional development supports to early career teachers and educators when they need it most – in their first 5 years of work.

Since the launch of the Beginning Teacher Conference and End-to-End Career Supports programs, more than 3,000 early childhood teachers and educators participated and benefited from these professional supports.

Beginning Teacher Conferences

The Beginning Teacher Conference (BTC) series offers a valuable opportunity for networking and professional development. It is available to:

• early childhood teachers who are working in early childhood services with funded kindergarten programs and are in their first year of practice
• those anticipated to graduate as early childhood teachers in the next 12 months.

Each conference explores evidence-based practical concepts and practice ideas, and features facilitated deep-dive discussions and specialist panel discussions.

End-to-End Career Supports Program

The End-to-End Career Supports Program provides participants with an opportunity to build their professional identity, explore problems of practice and connect with peers. It is available to teachers and diploma-qualified educators working in early childhood services with a funded kindergarten program in the first 5 years.

It provides individualised one-on-one coaching and/or Communities of Practice (CoP), as outlined below.

Coaching

Individualised one-on-one coaching is provided by independent coaches who are qualified teachers and experienced professionals with more than 5 years of experience in the teaching profession. They bring a wealth of practical knowledge and actionable strategies to support you in your professional journey.

Eligibility

If you are an early childhood teacher or a diploma-qualified educator in your first 2 years of practice, you are eligible to receive individualised one-on-one coaching to support you in the early stages of your career.

Communities of Practice

Communities of Practice provide an opportunity for early childhood teachers and diploma-qualified educators to come together to lead discussions, share experiences, tackle challenges, and explore new ideas with peers who understand their journey. By bringing a practice-related issue to the group and engaging in meaningful discussions, participants enhance their skills in leadership, reflection, collaboration, problem-solving, and innovation. This collaborative approach supports both individual and collective growth, helping your team to develop and refine high-quality practices.

Eligibility

Communities of Practice are for early childhood teachers and diploma-qualified educators in the 2nd to 5th year of their careers.

Alumni Conference

Alumni Conferences are an opportunity to hear inspiring stories and evidence-based insights from accomplished early childhood leaders that participants can apply to their teaching practice. They also support participants to build professional networks with peers and experienced early childhood professionals who have previously completed the program.

Eligibility

The Alumni Conferences are for early childhood teachers and diploma-qualified educators who have completed either End-to-End coaching, CoPs, or attended BTCs in previous years. Eligible attendees will be contacted via email to see if they would like to participate.