Former South Australian Premier and Thrive by Five CEO Jay Weatherill toured the Flinders University Child Care Centre on Thursday 6 May to learn about its innovative programs as he calls for a fresh approach on introducing a high quality, universally accessible early learning system in Australia.
Mr Weatherill met with Flinders highly skilled early childhood education graduates and pre-service teachers to discuss the importance of quality, accessible and affordable education for children from Birth to 5 as part of the national Thrive By Five initiative.
Lecturer in Early Childhood Education and Care Rachael Hedger says more young professionals should be encouraged to consider a future career in Early Childhood Education with the government estimating an an additional 30,000 educators would be required in the sector by mid-2024.
“The new National Children’s Education and Care Workforce Strategy, currently out for consultation, hopes to combat some of these issues by focussing on educator attraction and retention, professional recognition, and clear career and leadership pathways.”
“Flinders University’s Early Childhood Education degrees recognise the needs of the sector with specialised, quality teaching and learning for children from birth-8, together with professional learning and collaboration underpin the many areas of study, as students develop skills in teaching curriculum through a focussed approach on play-based learning.”
“While 9 graduates in one centre is not standard, it does show what a collaborative, supportive and professional space can look like in birth-5. The benefits for children within this space mean that they get focussed care with educators that are true advocates for children’s learning and early childhood education.”
The new Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (birth-8) aims to address the current shortage of educators by providing a child-focussed qualification that prepares students to authentically equip Australia’s youngest learners with the skills, knowledge, and dispositions needed for life-long success in the 21st century.
Emeritus Professor Sue Richardson AM has previously thrown her support behind the Thrive By Five initiative led by Professor Fiona Stanley and Nicola Forrest, with supporters including Julie Bishop, Sir Gustav Nossal, Professor Adrian Piccoli, Kate Carnell, Dr John Hewson, Debby Blakey, Rosie Batty and other leaders in their fields.