Ensuring early childhood teachers and educators to have long and rewarding careers in the sector is the aim of a new funding program from the state government.
Children Minister Lizzie Blandthorn launched the 2024–25 Innovation Grants Program on October 7 – with grants from $5,000 to $50,000 available to early childhood services who are innovating to keep early career teachers and educators in the workforce.
The grants support teachers and educators in the first five years of their career, and applicants are encouraged to work together with other providers to develop programs and services that enable early career educators to stay in the workforce.
“These grants are just one of the ways we’re supporting early childhood services to grow and retain their workforce. I can’t wait to see the innovative ideas that will be put forward,” Ms Blandthorn said.
“We’re supporting Victoria’s early childhood workforce to grow and thrive, with targeted career supports and development opportunities for teachers and educators in the first five years of their careers – right when they need it most.”
Since 2021, the Innovation Grants Program has provided nearly $250,000 in funding to early childhood services including Monash Vale and Bridge Early Learning Centres, who developed EMPOWER – a suite of tools that support early career teachers at their services.
No two days are ever the same in early childhood education. EMPOWER enables teachers to consider how to respond to a variety of situations including building relationships with children and their families, working in a team, teaching and managing the transition to work.
Applications for 2024-25 Innovation Grants close at 5pm on Friday, 1 November 2024. To apply or find out more visit vic.gov.au/innovation-grants-program.
