Eleven local aspiring early childhood educators have received scholarships from the NSW Government, ensuring that they are supported as they begin their rewarding career teaching our littlest learners.

Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson congratulated local scholarship recipients who would play an important role in improving access to early childhood education in the region.

“Early childhood educators will tell you that being an early childhood educator one of the most challenging and rewarding careers you can be a part of,” Mr Anderson said.

“I’m excited for our local scholarship recipients who are taking their first steps towards getting the necessary training to begin their careers.

“I wish them all the best through their education and congratulate them on their decision to begin a rewarding new career.”

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said the NSW Government is investing $281.6 million to expand the early childhood workforce, allowing families with young children to have increased access to quality early childhood education and care services across the state.

“We want to build a stronger and brighter future for NSW families, and we know that building our early childhood workforce is a no-brainer,” Ms Mitchell said.

“These scholarships will support recipients with financial costs that come with deepening their understanding of early childhood environments and gain additional skills and capabilities.

“I would like to congratulate all the successful scholarship recipients from this year and commend them on choosing early childhood education as a profession, their work is invaluable.”

The scholarships are part of the NSW Government’s once in a generation reform of the early childhood sector, with more than $15.9 billion invested through the Early Years Commitment.

Ten of the region’s scholarship recipients have received an Early Childhood Educator Scholarship, meaning they are eligible for up to $25,000, depending on their progression through their course.

The eleventh recipient has received an Early Childhood Inclusive Education Scholarship which is designed to ensure that education services are invludive for all children. This recipient will receive up to $10,000 for a graduate certificate, or up to $20,000 for a Masters.

The NSW Government has committed $15.9 billion to deliver a brighter future for every child in NSW through a revolutionary transformation of early childhood education, child development and women’s economic participation over the next decade.

Through the introduction of a universal pre-Kindergarten year, the Brighter Beginnings initiative, workforce package and affordable preschools the Liberals and Nationals Government are ensuring NSW is the best state to live, work and raise a family.

Further details on the Early Years Commitment visit the Department of Education’s website https://education.nsw.gov.au/early-childhood-education/early-yearscommitment