Childcare workers to get $118k for reading program translations

CHILDCARE workers from non-English backgrounds will receive federal funding to translate the government's early learning framework.

CHILDCARE workers from non-English backgrounds will receive federal funding to translate the government's early learning framework being introduced across the country.

The sector has a high number of workers, largely women, with poor English skills.

Early Childhood and Child Care Minister Kate Ellis said $118,000 would be provided to the Community Child Care Co-operative NSW to ensure workers could read in their first language the Early Years Learning Framework.

The framework sets out the principles, practice and outcomes needed to support a young child's learning and help them make the transition to school.

"There's a clear English proficiency requirement for all educators across the early childhood sector," Ms Ellis said.

"However, we also recognise that many of our outstanding educators come from non-English speaking countries and could benefit greatly from the centrepiece of our early learning reforms being translated to their language of origin."

The Early Years Learning Framework will be translated into Arabic, Chinese, Dinka, Hindi, Korean, Spanish, Somali, Thai, Turkish and Vietnamese.

"The early childhood workforce is diverse, as are the families and children that they work with," Ms Ellis said.

Ms Ellis said the translations were just the latest in the government's drive to raise the professionalism of the Early Education and Care workforce and deliver higher quality, affordable and flexible care to modern Australian working families.