QUT collaborates to empower early childhood educational leaders

Media release  

16 January 2024

QUT School of Early Childhood and Inclusive Education has partnered with the Early Learning and Care Council of Australia (ELACCA) and the Victorian Department of Education to deliver a comprehensive leadership development program tailored for educational leaders in Victoria’s early childhood workforce.

Working closely with these partners, QUT will lead the co-design, delivery and evaluation of the Victorian Educational Leaders Program (VELP) to build the capacity and confidence of educational leaders in early childhood education and care settings.

The VELP builds on and extends the very successful From the Ground Up leadership development program, co-designed by QUT and ELACCA, and will support the continued delivery of high-quality kindergarten programs.

Associate Professor Megan Gibson, from the QUT School of Early Childhood and Inclusive Education, said that the partnership between QUT, ELACCA and the Victorian Department of Education signifies a shared commitment to advancing early childhood education and promoting leadership excellence within the sector.

As the lead of a report of a five-year investigation into high-quality early childhood services in Australia, Associate Professor Gibson identified that strong leadership and professional development builds a top workforce able to tackle increasing complexities of being an early childhood educator.

“The collaborative effort aims to contribute to the ongoing professional development of early childhood educational leaders, supporting them in their crucial role in young children’s education and care,” Associate Professor Gibson said.

ELACCA Chief Executive Officer Ms Elizabeth Death highlighted that collaboration created a solid foundation for the program.

“The program’s linkage between QUT, government, the workforce and providers is a critical success element, closing the collaborative loop and providing support for the early years’ workforce.”

Mrs Kristy Hammond, Senior Manager of Continuing Professional Education at QUT, said that Continuing and Professional Education is vital to continue providing the best outcomes for educators and children alike.

“We are thrilled to join forces with the Victorian Department of Education and continue our partnership with the Early Learning and Care Council of Australia to deliver this transformative leadership program,” Mrs Hammond said.

“By combining QUT’s expertise in education with the department’s commitment to the Best Start, Best Life reforms, we will empower educational leaders in the early childhood sector to drive positive change and elevate the quality of education provided to young learners.”

VELP will begin as a two-year program, with the option to extend into the future.

The partnership is part of the Victorian Government’s Best Start, Best Life reforms.

Ends 

Main image credit: Daria Nipot – Getty Images.

For more information please contact: 

Natassja Sharp, 07 3138 1842, [email protected]
After hours: 0407 585 901 [email protected]

Amanda Walsh

Early Learning and Care Council of Australia 

PO Box 348 

Annandale NSW 2038 

Mob: 0499 306 794

E: [email protected] 

www.elacca.org.au 

About us: 

The Early Learning and Care Council of Australia (ELACCA) was established to promote the value of quality early learning and care as an integral part of Australia’s education system. Our 18 CEO members include some of the largest early learning providers in the country, representing both not-for-profit and for-profit services. ELACCA members operate 2,011 long day care services, 370 preschool/kindergarten services and 92 OSHC services, covering every state and territory. They offer one-quarter of all the early learning places in Australia. Together, our members serve 369,776 children and their families, and employ more than 56,000 staff. 

As well as promoting the value of quality early learning and the need for greater public investment, ELACCA advocates for the right of all children to access quality early learning and care, particularly children facing disadvantage. We do this by drawing on the knowledge and practical experience of our members and representing their views to decision makers in government, the media and the public.