NSW state election 2023: Labor pledge $22 million to upskill early childhood educators

Labor leader Chris Minns has unveiled a $22 million plan to make sure the early childhood workforce is highly educated, fully staffed and ready for universal pre-Kindergarten.

Labor leader Chris Minns has come out swinging against the Coalition’s ‘empty promise’ to deliver universal pre-Kindergarten by 2030, revealing a government he leads would spend $22 million ensuring the early childhood workforce is highly educated, fully staffed and ready for free preschool.

Under Labor’s pledge, $9 million would be spent on scholarships worth up to $25,000 each to support workers to gain diplomas and Bachelor degrees.

A further $10 million would pay for professional development leave to reduce burnout and attrition, and the remaining $3 million would fund a research study investigating childhood delivery models and how to strengthen the workforce pipeline.

Mr Minns said declining education standards and teacher shortages must be fixed, and nothing is more important.

“The best investment we can make in our children’s future is to invest in their education,” he said.

NSW Labor leader Chris Minns at a preschool in Kings Langley with education spokesman Prue Car (right). Picture: Supplied

“Labor will give every child in NSW the best opportunities to succeed from their early years right through to Year 12 and beyond.”

Education and early learning spokesman Prue Car said a Labor government would prioritise upskilling the childcare workforce and encouraging staff to continue pursuing the career.

“Families are concerned about the impact of staff shortages in preschools, childcare centres and schools right across the state,” she said.

“With Labor, NSW will have a pipeline of world-class staff in the early childcare workforce, with support for early childhood workers to build long-term careers in the sector.”

Universal pre-Kindergarten is set to be trialled in 71 childcare centres and preschools from June this year.

Both major parties have made early education pledges in the lead-up to the election, with Labor committed to building 100 public preschools co-located with government primary schools in the next four years, and 50 more at non-government schools. The Coalition has pledged 500 new preschools, predominantly in regional areas.