The Victorian Government is hiring early childhood professionals to provide high-quality care and education at its first state-run childcare centres.
Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn announced that recruitment is underway for about 100 positions. These roles include early childhood teachers, room leaders, educators, and cooks.
Around 419 children will enroll in these centres, marking the first time families will benefit from the 50 new childcare centres created through significant investment by the Labor Government. Enrolments for 2025 opened last month for the centres in Eaglehawk North, Fawkner, Sunshine, and Murtoa.
“Creating local jobs in Sunshine, Eaglehawk North, Fawkner, and Murtoa is great news for families in these areas. We are opening government-run childcare centres for the first time,” Ms. Blandthorn said. “We are seeking highly skilled and qualified early childhood professionals to deliver quality education and care where it is most needed.”
Staff members will become public sector employees with Early Learning Victoria. They will receive competitive pay and benefits, as well as access to coaching, mentoring, and opportunities for career development and upskilling.
Fees at these centres will be lower than the average in each area. This support, along with other subsidies, means families with low incomes will generally pay only a small daily fee. All government-owned centres will also offer Free Kinder programs.
Each childcare centre will provide long daycare, including high-quality kindergarten programs for three- and four-year-olds. A sessional kindergarten option will also be available in Murtoa. To support families, each centre will have space for additional services, such as maternal and child health support and playgroups, promoting better connections and integrated early childhood services.
The government is investing $370 million in training programs for early childhood teachers and educators. This investment includes scholarships, career support, and professional development programs. Additionally, Victorians interested in early childhood education can take advantage of Free TAFE programs, which offer a Certificate III and Diploma in childhood education and care.
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