Govt Childcare Training Fund FAQ

*Click Here for Your Free Long Day Care Professional Development Programme FAQ!*

The Australian Government recently announced the creation of a $200 million dollar fund to support training, skills development and other professional development activities for early childcare educators. This includes mandatory training courses such as the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care and Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care. This fund has been created with money reallocated from the Early Years Quality Fund.

Introducing the “Long Day Care Professional Development Programme”

The Long Day Care Professional Development Programme (LDCPDP) will provide funding to help early childhood educators to fulfill their training and skills development needs. Ultimately, the fund is intended to improve practice and ensure quality outcomes for children in child care services. You can learn more about the program in our FAQ Guide. If you are working for an eligible long day care service, now is the time to discuss your further training and professional development plans with your employer.  You can not apply directly for funding as an individual and applications will only be accepted from Long Day Care Providers approved for the Child Care Benefit. Not sure whether further child care training and professional development is for you? Check out 7 Reasons for Early Childhood Educators to Invest in Professional Development.

Government Funding for Child Care Training

Eligible services can claim up to:

•         $3750 for each Full Time Equivalent (FTE) staff member
•         $4100 for each Full Time Equivalent (FTE) staff member in outer regional centres
•         $4400 for each Full Time Equivalent (FTE) staff member in remote and very remote areas

Child Care Providers can apply for an additional $2300 per early-childhood teacher the service employs, regardless of location.

If your application is successful, funding can be used to complete qualifications, participate in industry conferences, buy learning supplies, take on other education and training or undertake other professional development activities. Allocated funding can also be used to pay for staff replacement costs while you and other early childhood educators undertake eligible training and professional development activities.

Act Quickly to Apply for Funding

There is only a short window of opportunity to apply for funding.  Applications open 19^th May 2014 and close 5pm AEST 13^th June 2014 so you have just 4 weeks to complete and submit yours. The application process can be started on the MyChild website once applications open on the 19^th May 2014. Get in quick!

If you work for or operate an eligible long day care service, this is the ideal opportunity for employees and employers to discuss training needs and professional development goals!