KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS - Professional Learning Institute · 2018. 2. 19. · Diploma, Certificate...
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Important information about your teaching qualifications Importance of the early years International research has demonstrated that quality early learning experiences are essential in supporting children’s development and building skills for life-long learning. Tasmanian kindergartens continue to align with the requirements of the National Quality Framework (NQF) in providing quality early learning environments for children. Why should I check my qualifications? Well-qualified and knowledgeable kindergarten teachers extend children’s learning through implementing the Early Years Learning Framework. From 2018, all kindergarten teachers will be required to update their teaching qualification to an Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) approved Early Childhood Teacher (ECT) qualification. ACECQA is responsible for assessing and approving these qualifications. Where do I go for more information about qualifications? ACECQA’s qualifications webpage describes an overview of requirements: http://www.acecqa.gov.au/educators-and- providers1/qualifications How do I know if my qualification is approved by ACECQA? ACECQA’s website also hosts lists of approved and former approved qualifications: http://www.acecqa.gov.au/ Qualifications.aspx These lists can be searched by level of qualification (i.e. ECT, Diploma, Certificate III, etc.) or by key word. For example, adding ‘Tasmania’ would show all of the approved or former approved qualifications offered by Tasmanian institutions, as well as qualifications that can be awarded by any Australian registered training organisation. An educator can be counted as an early childhood teacher (ECT) if they: • hold an approved early childhood teaching qualification • hold a ‘former approved’ * early childhood teaching qualification • hold a qualification that ACECQA has determined to be an equivalent early childhood teacher qualification. * A ‘former approved’ ECT qualification must have been commenced prior to 1 January 2012. Please check all of your early childhood qualifications against the lists, as some qualifications are only approved in combination with others. I’m not sure whether my qualification is approved – what should I do? ACECQA’s website also hosts a Qualifications Checker, which individual educators can use to determine if their qualification is recognised: http://www.acecqa.gov.au/ qualifications-checker KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS Are you teaching or intending to teach kindergarten classes in schools?
Transcript of KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS - Professional Learning Institute · 2018. 2. 19. · Diploma, Certificate...
TEACHER
DEVELOPMENT
INITIATIVE
Important information about your teaching qualifications
Importance of the early yearsInternational research has demonstrated that quality early learning experiences are essential in supporting children’s development and building skills for life-long learning. Tasmanian kindergartens continue to align with the requirements of the National Quality Framework (NQF) in providing quality early learning environments for children.
Why should I check my qualifications?Well-qualified and knowledgeable kindergarten teachers extend children’s learning through implementing the Early Years Learning Framework. From 2018, all kindergarten teachers will be required to update their teaching qualification to an Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) approved Early Childhood Teacher (ECT) qualification. ACECQA is responsible for assessing and approving these qualifications.
Where do I go for more information about qualifications?ACECQA’s qualifications webpage describes an overview of requirements: http://www.acecqa.gov.au/educators-and-providers1/qualifications
How do I know if my qualification is approved by ACECQA?ACECQA’s website also hosts lists of approved and former approved qualifications: http://www.acecqa.gov.au/Qualifications.aspx
These lists can be searched by level of qualification (i.e. ECT, Diploma, Certificate III, etc.) or by key word. For example, adding ‘Tasmania’ would show all of the approved or former approved qualifications offered by Tasmanian institutions, as well as qualifications that can be awarded by any Australian registered training organisation. An educator can be counted as an early childhood teacher (ECT) if they:• hold an approved early childhood teaching qualification• hold a ‘former approved’* early childhood teaching
qualification• hold a qualification that ACECQA has determined to
be an equivalent early childhood teacher qualification.*A ‘former approved’ ECT qualification must have been commenced prior to 1 January 2012. Please check all of your early childhood qualifications against the lists, as some qualifications are only approved in combination with others.
I’m not sure whether my qualification is approved – what should I do?
ACECQA’s website also hosts a Qualifications Checker, which individual educators can use to determine if their qualification is recognised: http://www.acecqa.gov.au/qualifications-checker
KINDERGARTEN TEACHERSAre you teaching or intending to teach kindergarten classes in schools?
I’m a registered teacher, but I don’t have an approved qualification – what can I do to upgrade my qualification?
For teachers who are registered with the Teachers Registration Board of Tasmania but do not hold an approved ECT qualification, the University of Tasmania (UTAS) offers a Graduate Certificate in Education (Early Childhood) which is on ACECQA’s approved list.
In 2018 and 2019 the Department of Education (DoE) will provide extensive support for permanent early childhood teachers to complete the Graduate Certificate. Teachers teaching kindergarten and who receive advanced standing from the University of Tasmania will be given preference to undertake a fast-track qualification. For further information about the Graduate Certificate contact [email protected] or visit: https://pli.education.tas.gov.au/programs/Developing-our-Workforce-Strategy
This table may assist in determining if the educator holds an approved ECT qualification, is taken to hold an approved ECT qualification or does not hold a qualification. Please note the dates that apply to some of the provisions.
Qualification/circumstance of teacher Status of the teacher’s
qualifications under NQF Further study
Held Tasmanian Teacher Registration AND was employed and taught in a Kindergarten in Term 3, 2011
You are accepted as holding an approved Early Childhood Teaching (ECT) qualification (meets NQF) (this is a transitional provision and does not expire)
Nil required, further study encouraged, but not essential.
Held registration or accreditation as an ECT in accordance with the requirements of any other jurisdiction, prior to 1/1/2012, with evidence or a statutory declaration confirming this
You are accepted as holding an approved ECT qualification (meets NQF)(this is a transitional provision and does not expire)
Nil required, further study encouraged, but not essential.
For the period 2014-2017*a. Working towards an approved ECT qualification
and already holding an ACECQA approved diploma qualification or
b. Working towards an approved ECT qualification and have completed at least 50% of the course
You are accepted as being an ECT *under current arrangements study is to be successfully completed by 31/12/19, however this may be extended.
Completion of the approved course.
Held any other early childhood teaching qualification (enrolled prior to 1/1/2012), that is approved by ACECQA (see list) (this includes some prior Tasmanian qualifications as well as those from other jurisdictions)
Holds an approved ECT qualification (meets NQF) - Noting any conditions that may be listed, including those that require evidence of early childhood specialisation
Nil required,ongoing professional development encouraged.
Some of the Tasmanian qualifications on the list# require evidence of early childhood education (ECE) specialisation. The criteria to meet this requirement are:
• A letter or other document (which may be the course transcript) from the university that confirms early childhood specialisation of the teaching course
• 75% of course practicums were undertaken in early years classes (Kinder to Grade 2)
• Teaching early years classes for a minimum of 2 of the 4 years between 2008-2011
• A letter from the (then) Child Care Unit that confirms early childhood specialisation of the person’s teaching qualification.
My qualification isn’t on the list – what can I do?
Early years teachers are also able to determine whether they hold an ACECQA approved early childhood qualification by completing a short survey at https://kinder.education.tas.edu.au Information about further study options to gain an approved ECT qualification is provided. For further assistance about the survey, please contact Education Performance and Review at [email protected] Educators whose qualifications are not on the approved list can apply to ACECQA to have their qualification assessed. There is a fee for this service. Educators who hold overseas qualifications may find this option useful. Please contact ACECQA on 1300 4 ACECQA (1300 422 327).
Department of Education web: www.education.tas.gov.au Published: November 2017
