University of Wollongong to offer two-year Bachelor of Early Years Education
Early childhood educators are being put on the fast track to a teaching degree in a bid to boost the workforce ahead of the introduction of universal pre-Kindergarten.
Education
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Childcare workers will soon have the opportunity to get on the fast track to a university teaching qualification with the NSW government slashing the length of a bachelor degree in half.
The accelerated Bachelor of Education (The Early Years) pathway will be available through the University of Wollongong from July this year for early childcare educators who currently hold a diploma, recognising their existing experience and giving them the chance to upskill while they work.
Instead of studying for four years, the program will see new teachers graduate in just two.
Cathrine Neilsen-Hewett, UOW’s Academic Director of the Early Years, said the fast track is evidence-informed and won’t be cutting corners.
“It will provide educators with a connected and valuable learning experience, to help them perform a vital function for children and families in NSW,” she said.
Education and Early Learning Minister Sarah Mitchell said the shortened degree pathway will supercharge NSW’s childcare workforce ahead of the rollout of universal pre-Kindergarten.
The government recently revealed the 71 preschool and childcare services who will help design and trial the state’s first free, five-day play-based early learning program.
Ms Mitchell said building a larger workforce in the early learning sector is crucial not only for the success of universal pre-K, but will also have an impact on the bottom line of the family budget.
“The success of universal pre-Kindergarten will be underpinned by a strong, quality early childhood workforce and this program will support our experienced educators to upskill to early childhood teachers,” she said.
“By training more educators we can help create more places and lower the costs of childcare for families across NSW.”
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