A Banyo-based early childhood educator has become among the first to graduate from a revolutionary accelerated teaching programme at the Australian Catholic University (ACU).
This innovative course, the first of its kind in Queensland, allows diploma-qualified educators to fast-track their studies and obtain a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to Five Years) in 18 months, compared to the traditional four years.
This programme is a much-needed solution to the ongoing workforce shortage in the early childhood education sector. Launched in March this year, the accelerated degree has already attracted 70 Queensland-based students in its first intake, all eager to upskill and lead preschool classrooms.
ACU lecturer Laurien Beane hailed the programme as a “game changer,” emphasising its importance in “closing the gap” and ensuring adequate staffing to keep childcare services operational. The programme draws students from diverse locations across Queensland, including Cairns, Townsville, Thursday Island, the Gold Coast, Brisbane, and Warwick.
Beane stressed the significance of upskilling educators in urban and regional areas to guarantee all families access to quality early childhood education and care.
Chloe Buchtmann, a 39-year-old educator from Banyo with 20 years of experience, is one of the programme’s success stories. She highlighted the programme’s accessibility and the significant time savings it offered.
Previously facing a nine-year path to completing her degree part-time, Buchtmann is now on track to graduate next year. She praised the programme’s affordability, noting the availability of scholarships through providers like Goodstart, which make it a viable option for those with families and financial commitments.
Professor Donna King, ACU National Head of the School of Education, explained that the programme was developed in partnership with key industry players to address the sector’s need for highly qualified early childhood teachers.
The course maintains a rigorous curriculum without compromising quality or disrupting students’ work lives.
It utilises a multi-mode delivery approach, incorporating virtual reality technology and intensive weekend symposiums (both in-person and online) to foster interaction and professional networking among future educators.
Published Date 29-October-2024