CQUniversity unable to secure childcare placements amid ‘heightened’ scrutiny in the sector

A university offering online, fast-tracked qualifications to work in early childhood has told students that it will no longer be able to secure placement opportunities, due to “heightened scrutiny” within the sector.

A university offering online, fast-tracked qualifications to work in early childhood has told students that it will no longer be able to secure placement opportunities.

A university offering online, fast-tracked qualifications to work in childcare centres has told students that it will no longer be able to secure placement opportunities or guarantee they will be able to complete their degree, due to “heightened scrutiny” within the sector.

It comes as industry experts have raised concerns about the fast-tracked courses such as graduate diplomas being filled up by students seeking access to a visa rather than a long-term career in the sector.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal that CQUniversity – which offers an online graduate diploma in early childhood education, labelled by some as a “cash grab” – has emailed students telling them to consider “alternative” study options ahead of class starting next week.

CQUni’s diploma is undertaken mostly by international students living in NSW and other states to secure visas, and costs about $30,000 per year.

The email sent to newly enrolled graduate diploma students said: “In light of recent developments and heightened scrutiny within the early childhood education sector in Australia, we wish to inform you that there is now a very high likelihood that we will be unable to secure placement opportunities for you.”

A CQ spokeswoman said the letter was sent to advise students that many placement providers were currently limiting, cancelling or not taking on new placement students while operational reviews were underway.

Federal Education Minister Jason Clare confirmed he had asked the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) for advice on CQUniversity.

“International education cannot be a backdoor into the workforce,” Mr Clare said.

The childcare sector has come under scrutiny in recent weeks amid several concerning incidents. Picture: Getty Images

A TEQSA spokesman said the authority was now in the process of “engaging” with CQUniversity.

The increased scrutiny on early education comes after Victorian childcare worker Joshua Dale Brown was last week charged with more than 70 child abuse offences involving children.

This case sparked crisis talks from state and federal governments, including promises of urgent reforms within the sector.

Concerningly, sources told The Daily Telegraph that the majority of international students who enrol in this course and other similar early childhood diplomas are those “desperate” to secure visas.

In the past week alone, students have posted in online study forums saying they either didn’t have a “passion for teaching kids”, yet wanted to strengthen their chances of “TR (temporary residency) PR (permanent residency), or a job” by undertaking the graduate diploma.

This has led to dozens of migration agents – found to be based in India and the Philippines – also cashing in and marketing the courses on social media.

Some agents were even found to push CQUniversity’s graduate diploma in early childhood despite the lack of placements, saying it was a “strategic pathway” to obtain permanent residency in Australia.

One tertiary source said he had taught students that had “openly expressed” they were not in the sector to become educators as it was a “residency pathway”.

While another said: “Any course that offers a fast-tracked diploma is nothing but a cash grab.”

Assistant Education and Early Learning spokeswoman Zoe McKenzie said the federal government’s changes to the sector had created a “draw card” for international students to enrol in short-term graduate certificates, with “no background or real interest” in the field.

“Parents, educators and system experts are reporting poor supervision, unsafe environments, and serious lapses in care,” she said.

Dr Martyn Mills-Bayne, senior lecturer in early childhood Education at University of South Australia, said he was extremely concerned about moves to fast-track students.

He said: “While there is a perfect storm of workforce shortages and a migration pathway via ECEC qualifications for these international students, the quality of our Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programs must be maintained to ensure all educators working in the ECEC sector are well equipped to keep children safe.”

Georgie Dent, chief executive of advocacy group The Parenthood, said it was “deeply concerning” that childcare providers had business models predicated on having as few staff with the lowest levels of qualifications as possible.

Ms Dent said a national early childhood commission was vital to ensure that workers had the appropriate qualifications.

She also highlighted the “absolute need” for a national childcare register.

Child safety advocate and Adopt Change chief executive Renee Carter said: “It’s critical that those working with young children have both the qualifications and the genuine commitment to provide safe, nurturing and developmentally appropriate care.”

A CQ spokeswoman added the letter was a “direct result” of the shocking news out of Victoria last week.

To gain entry to this course, students must satisfy strict prerequisites including an Australian Bachelor Level qualification and a statement of purpose on why they want to study education. Students must also be in possession of a current Positive Notice Blue Card (or equivalent “Working with Children” check) to be eligible for placement in an educational setting.”

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