Applications open for largest-ever investment in long day care professional development

From today, long day care services in Mitchell can apply to share in the largest-ever investment in the professional development of their educators.

Federal Member for Mitchell, Alex Hawke MP, welcomed the opening of applications for the Abbott Government’s $200 million Long Day Care Professional Development Programme (LDCPDP).

Alex Hawke said all long day care services were eligible to apply, with additional support for early childhood teachers, as well as services located in regional, rural and remote communities, to help tackle skills shortages in both areas.

“The Abbott Government is committed to delivering high-quality child care for our children. This programme will help services with the cost of upskilling and training educators to meet the requirements of the National Quality Framework,” Alex Hawke said.

“This will also help address the growing number of staff waivers being applied for as a result of Labor forcing too much change, too soon onto services.

“This a much fairer and more equitable option than the dodgy Labor union slush fund it replaced as it will benefit all long day care workers, not just a select few.

“Services would be able to claim up to $10,450 per full-time equivalent educator, with a base of $3750 per FTE and additional loadings for early childhood teachers ($2300), and regional ($4100) and very remote educators ($4400).

The LDCPDP will use remaining funds from Labor’s controversial Early Years Quality Fund (EYQF), which was shut down after being found to be a vehicle for union recruitment. The EYQF is currently under examination by the Auditor General.

Alex Hawke MP said the Government had made the application process as simple as possible so it did not add to red tape, whilst also still ensuring accountability, including:

·         Providers are able to apply online at the Mychild website.

·         Providers will lodge applications on behalf of all their educators.

·         Providers with multiple services (10 or more) will only have to apply once.

·         It will not be a competitive ‘first-in, first-served’ like Labor’s EYQF.

·         Providers experiencing difficulties can contact Department of Education on 1800 020 212 or ldcpdp@education.gov.au.

Applications close 5pm (AEST) Friday 13 June 2014.