Govt boosts early childhood education places
Posted
The Federal Government has announced 500 new university places for early childhood education teachers.
The extra places will be available next year and another 1,000 places will follow in 2010 and 2011.
Education Minister Julia Gillard says the Government will also remove TAFE fees for childcare courses.
She says the Government is also willing to pay up to half of the tertiary debts of early childhood teachers working in remote and regional areas.
"We want staff right around the country, we want staff in regional areas, we don't want any child to miss out on the benefits of early childhood education," she said.
"We want it to be available in kindergartens, in preschools, in childcare centres and that is why we need these new trained teachers."
Ms Gillard says the measures will make childcare qualifications much more accessible.
"We know that there are communities across the country that are short of childcare places, and parents find it hard to get the kind of care they need," she said.
"We are going to expand the number of childcare places around the country, by ensuring that up to 260 childcare centres are invested in."
