2022-23 NSW Early Childhood Education Scholarships Program

The scholarships provide financial assistance to scholars who intend to be or who are employed in NSW early childhood education services. Scholarships of up to $20,000 each will be offered to those commencing or completing a bachelor-level early childhood teaching degree. This degree can be studied at universities or other vocational education and training providers (e.g. TAFE).

Scholarships will be awarded taking into consideration prioritisation to meet emerging workforce needs including those already employed in a preschool (including mobile preschool) or long day care in NSW, Aboriginal people, those in regional and remote NSW areas and/or NSW areas with high numbers of disadvantaged children.

To increase the number of early childhood teachers working in the early childhood education sector in NSW (preschools, including mobile preschools and long day care services). This supports the vision of a highly qualified and sustainable workforce which meets the needs of children and families, including those from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds; culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; in regional and remote locations; and children with disability and additional needs.

Importance of an early childhood teaching qualification

Early childhood teachers are invaluable to the quality and care of centre-based services and mobile services. They deliver high-quality teaching and learning to young children, and help them get a strong start in their school life.

To align with Education and Care National RegulationsExternal link, NSW's centre-based services with 30 or more preschool-aged children or under are required to have at least one early childhood teacher in attendance.

The NSW Education Standard AuthorityExternal link recognises the importance of early childhood teachers and requires early childhood teachers to have their qualifications professionally accredited.

An increase in Aboriginal early childhood teachers will help ensure that Aboriginal perspectives are embedded in early childhood education and that preschools are welcoming and inclusive places for all children.

About the scholarships

The scholarships provide financial assistance to scholars who intend to be or who are employed in NSW early childhood education services.

The program may also link students with an appropriate mentor for the duration of their studies where this is desired.

Scholarships Award

Scholarships of up to $20,000 each will be offered to those commencing or completing a bachelor-level early childhood teaching degree. This degree can be studied at universities or other vocational education and training providers (e.g. TAFE).

Scholarships will be awarded taking into consideration prioritisation to meet emerging workforce needs including those already employed in a preschool (including mobile preschool) or long day care in NSW, Aboriginal people, those in regional and remote NSW areas and/or NSW areas with high numbers of disadvantaged children.

The final number of scholarships awarded may vary depending on the financial award provided to each scholar (for instance if there is substantial recognised prior learning or the scholar has partially completed a qualification).

Final award amounts may impact the number of scholarships provided.

Applications are sought from scholars intending to commence or continue studying from Trimester 3 2022, or from 2023.

Eligibility criteria

Interested applicants do not need to be currently working in the education sector to apply. To be eligible to apply for the 2022-23 Aboriginal Early Childhood Education Scholarship or the Early Childhood

In the education Scholarship program, applicants must:

• intend to enrol or already be enrolled in a bachelor's degree leading to an approved early childhood teaching qualification recognised by the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority
• This degree can be studied at universities or other vocational education and training providers (e.g. TAFE).
• be intending to complete the degree in no more than 6 years
• and not be in receipt of any other scholarship funding related to the course for which the scholarship is sought
• be an Australian citizen or permanent resident residing in NSW. An exemption from the NSW residency requirements may be provided where the applicant can demonstrate they are working or
• intend to work in NSW early childhood education services. An example of this would be an applicant living in a border region where the applicant is already employed in an NSW early childhood education service.
• Applicants may study full-time or part-time.

Applications for the 2022-23 Early Childhood Education Scholarships Program close on 7 June 2022.

For more information: 2022 - 23 Early Childhood Education Scholarships Program