Aim

The aim of the Early Childhood Inclusive Education Scholarships program is to increase the number of NSW early childhood education teachers with a postgraduate qualification in Early Childhood Inclusive Education in NSW community preschools, mobile preschools and long day care services. This supports the NSW Government’s vision of a highly qualified and sustainable workforce which meets the needs of children with disability and additional needs, and their families.

Early childhood teachers with a qualification in Inclusive Education are invaluable to the quality of care and education provided in community preschools, mobile preschools and long day care services. They deliver high-quality, evidence-based teaching and learning to young children with disability and additional needs, supporting their inclusion and participation in a quality early childhood education program on the same basis as their peers.

About the scholarships

The scholarships provide financial assistance to scholars who are qualified early childhood teachers to increase the capacity of the early childhood education sector to include children with disability and additional needs, in community preschools, mobile preschools and long day care services.

Scholarships award

Scholarships available for eligible applicants:

• Up to $20,000 each for those commencing or completing the Master of Special and Inclusive Education (specialising in Early Childhood); or
• Up to $10,000 for those commencing or completing the Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Disability Support,.

Both qualifications can be studied on campus or online, currently at the University of Newcastle.

Scholarships will be awarded taking into consideration prioritisation areas to meet emerging workforce needs. This includes those already employed in a preschool (including mobile preschool) or long day care in NSW, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, those in regional and remote NSW areas, and/or NSW areas with high numbers of disadvantaged children.

The final number of scholarships awarded may vary depending on the financial award provided to each scholar (for instance if there is substantial recognised prior learning or the scholar has partially completed a qualification).

Applications were sought from individuals intending to commence or continue studying from Trimester 1 2023.

Eligibility criteria

Interested applicants need to be qualified early childhood teachers in the NSW early childhood education sector to apply. To be eligible to apply for the 2022-23 Early Childhood Inclusive Education scholarship program, applicants must:

• intend to enrol or already be enrolled in the Master of Special and Inclusive Education (specialising in Early Childhood) or a Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Disability Support, at the University of Newcastle.

• intend to complete the above qualifications in no more than 4 years.

• have completed an early childhood teaching bachelor’s degree recognised by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA).

• not be in receipt of any other scholarship funding related to the course for which the scholarship is sought.

• be employed or intend to work in a NSW community preschool, mobile preschool or long day care service.

• be an Australian citizen or permanent resident residing in NSW. An exemption from the NSW residency requirements may be provided where the applicant can demonstrate they are working or intend to work in NSW early childhood education services. An example of this would be an applicant living in a border region where the applicant is already employed in a NSW early childhood education service.

Applicants may study full-time or part-time, and online.

How to apply for a scholarship

Applications closed on 10 October 2022. Late applications will not be accepted.

Applicants were asked to supply the following information, via the SmartyGrants form.

• verified copy of proof of identity and proof of home address

• details of the Master of Special and Inclusive Education (specialising in Early Childhood) or Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Disability Support in which they intend to enrol in/are enrolled in.

• supporting statements outlining motivation to engage in early childhood inclusive education as a career in NSW, how you intend to use your qualification in a NSW community preschool, mobile preschool or long day care, and how the scholarship will assist you with the completion of a qualification.

• details of employment if currently employed within a preschool (including mobile preschool) or long day care service in NSW.
  

• certified proof of your Australian citizenship or permanent residency.

Application assessment process

Applications for the 2022-23 Early Childhood Inclusive Education Scholarships Program closed on 10 October 2022.

Following the closing date, applications will be checked for eligibility and completeness. The department may contact applicants during this phase to clarify factual information, particularly on the eligibility criteria.

Assessment of applications will be based on information provided by applicants. The department may also seek information provided by referees to support the assessment process. A competitive assessment process may be utilised.

During the assessment process, the department may prioritise applications. Prioritisation of applications includes:

• applicants already enrolled in the Master of Special and Inclusive Education specialising in Early Childhood or a Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Disability Support

• applicants already employed in a preschool (including mobile preschool) or long day care in NSW

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

• applicants in regional and remote NSW areas and/or NSW areas with high numbers of disadvantaged children

• other prioritisation that reflects emerging workforce needs and is considered to support the purpose and intended outcome of the program.

Endorsement of scholarships awards will be subject to the number of applicants considered through the assessment process to be suitable for a scholarship grant award, and the available budget.

Payments

Successful applicants will be offered a scholarship of up to $20,000 to undertake or complete the Master of Special and Inclusive Education (specialising in Early Childhood) at the University of Newcastle or $10,000 to undertake or complete the Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Disability Support at the University of Newcastle.

Individual grant awards will be confirmed with each scholar. Individual grant awards will take into account the application information, priority categories and the degree the scholar intends to or is currently enrolled in. Individual grant awards will be confirmed as part of an individual Deed of Agreement.

Payments will be made in instalments upon successful completion of milestones based on a scholar’s progress in the degree. Further detail regarding payments will be provided as part of the information package for successful applicants. Payments will not be made for units of study completed prior to the award of the scholarship.

Use of funds

• Successful applicants are required to sign a Deed of Agreement setting out the terms and conditions of the scholarship.

• Scholarship recipients can decide how best to use the funds to support their studies. This may include, but is not limited to, purchase or hire of textbooks and resources, costs associated with attending study sessions, technology to support study, or course fees.

• Upon completion of study there is an expectation that scholarship recipients maintain employment in the early childhood education sector in NSW (community preschools, mobile preschools and long day care services).

• Scholarship recipients may defer their study for a period of up to 12 months, with the department's prior approval.

Eligible postgraduate degree

Master of Special and Inclusive Education (specialising in Early Childhood) at the University of Newcastle

Details of the Master of Special and Inclusive Education are available at

https://www.newcastle.edu.au/degrees/master-special-inclusive-education

It is a requirement that scholars select the Early Childhood specialisation as part of this program. It is also required that scholars select EDUC6109 Integrated Fieldwork Studies to complete a practicum experience.

Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Disability Support at the University of Newcastle

Details of the Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Disability Support are available at https://www.newcastle.edu.au/degrees/graduate-certificate-in-early-childhood-disability-support/handbook

More information

If you have questions about the 2022-23 Early Childhood Inclusive Education Scholarships program, email the Early Childhood Directorate on ecec.scholarships@det.nsw.edu.au.