I recently attended the National Meeting of The AEU Early Childhood Committee (25th May) in Melbourne. The main focus of the discussions was the proposed Universal Access. This being the federal Governments commitment to provide all kindergarten aged children with an education program delivered by a university trained early Childhood teacher and for 15 hours per week by 2013.

This presents a number challenges both to the department and to schools and teachers. At present kindergartens provide 10 hours of education per week which is in most cases delivered by an early childhood trained teacher.  This is usually carried out in a room or centre where by in the week 2 cohorts of 20 have access to the program.

Increasing the hours to 15 from 10 presents a number of challenges which include-

• resourcing by way of spaces and equipment,
• qualified teachers,
• industrial rights and entitlements
• the possible erosion of full time employment for some members

There has been some funding allocated to the initiative and all other states have embarked on some trial centre’s to try a variety of modules of delivery. WA has not yet begun trials but has allocated the money for Best Start Development programs in three locations and some scholarships for Early Childhood Education and Care Workers.

Results from the trials interstate will be shared via our National Early Childhood Network through the AEU and we are likely to see a great variety of models for delivery.

If you have any thoughts, comments or ideas about the Universal Access, please email, or enter discussions on the SSTUWA Early Childhood Reference Group page on the website.

Relevant Files

{quickdown:129}
{quickdown:128}
{quickdown:158}
{quickdown:159}
{quickdown:160}
{quickdown:161}