Child Australia provides a long term sustainable approach to Professional Development for the Education and Care Sector
Substantial Australian Government funding (known as the Long Day Care Professional Development Programme) for professional development across the education and care sector concludes on 30 June 2017. Child Australia, a not for profit organisation specialising in the delivery of exemplary education and care, parenting programs, and professional development services, has developed a suite of affordable professional development training and support packages in a bid to alleviate the loss of the heavily subsidised professional development previously available.
The packages “PD4U” have been designed to ensure professional development is accessible for all educators regardless of available budget and consist of a mix of personalised consultation, in-service workshops and online learning.
Child Australia’s Acting CEO Tina Holtom said, “We frequently hear from educators that professional development training and support is too expensive. We’ve listened and created something to help Services set a budget and spread the cost over a reasonable timeframe with simple weekly payments. We know that one size doesn’t fit all so the packages can be customised to suit individual needs. This initiative will help ensure professional development remains affordable and that the gains in quality practice attained to date are not lost and continue to be improved upon.”
“It is critical to offer affordable, flexible, yet high quality professional development to the sector so that staff continue to be motivated, improve practices and ultimately make a positive difference in the lives of our children,” said Mrs Holtom.
The training content and support provided is modelled on quality evidence-based research and delivered by Child Australia’s team of expert professional learning consultants. Collectively the Consultants have extensive hands-on experience and deliver best practice approaches so as to ensure quality practices are embedded long term.
Child Australia’s professional development training and support packages coupled with the payment plan is the first of its kind for the sector and it is expected to be gratefully received by the time poor and budget challenged sector.
Further information available at http://www.childaustralia.org.au/professional-development-packages/
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About Child Australia
Established in 1987 Child Australia is a not for profit organisation and a leading provider of professional development and support for the education sector in Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Child Australia’s purpose is to develop the capacity of professionals working with children, families and the community to support children’s wellbeing, learning and development.
