Cade Lucas
Victoria is facing a shortfall of pre-school teachers and as the fastest growing area in the country, Wyndham is experiencing it more than most.
According to Victoria University education think-tank, the Mitchell Institute, many suburbs in Wyndham are considered ‘childcare deserts’ where there are more than three children per childcare place, or less than 0.333 places per child aged four or under.
To try and address this shortfall, Victoria University has started a Graduate Diploma in Early Education aimed at career changers, particularly those from overseas.
“It draws in a large number of students from India, China and Vietnam,” said VU’s Head of Early Childhood Education, Professor Mary-Rose McLaren.
“All of these people have done university level study already, they have bachelor degrees at least and they’re making a career change and lifestyle choice to undertake this graduate diploma.”
The one year program is also open to domestic students, but Professor McLaren said it’s those from overseas who are especially drawn to it.
“There’s a huge shortage of early childhood teachers since the state government roll out of 3 year old kinder and it’s a really attractive course for overseas students because it has guaranteed employment at the end of it.”
Along with rapid population growth, the pre-school teacher shortage in Wyndham is driven by the amount of young families moving to the area, many of whom come from India, China and Vietnam, the same countries as those enrolling in the new course.
Professor McLaren said this was unlikely to be a coincidence.
“When there’s a diaspora more people want to come because they aren’t culturally isolated” she said, before adding that career-changers from these countries were especially suited to their new roles.
“They make really awesome early childhood teachers. They’re great,” Professor McLaren said.
“I think it’s because they’ve made a really positive choice and it’s a career change that offers them opportunties they really invest in the course and in the practice.”
SOme of those who have invested are now already teaching, with the first classes graduating in April and June this year and more to come in October and December.
Professor McLaren said while the new graduates will help address the shortfall in early childhood educators, more still needs to be done.
“They’ll ease it, they’re not going to fill it.”
