Sonas Early Learning and Care educators will be among the first in Western Australia to take up a new Notre Dame University degree tailored specifically to early childhood teaching for children from birth to four years of age.
Notre Dame University has restructured its early childhood education program to include two Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Learning qualifications – a three-year degree targeting Early Learning sector educators working with children from birth to four years old and a four-year course for those working with children from birth to eight years of age.
The ‘birth-to-four’ course, which is the first tertiary qualification of its kind in WA, will be available from 2023, in addition to Notre Dame’s existing Undergraduate Certificate in Early Childhood Learning and Development, in which Sonas staff are already engaged.
The leaders and educators that we have engaged with from Sonas are deep thinkers, they’re hard workers, they’re incredibly committed, and they have really strong vocation and are deeply engaged with the program.
Dee O’Connor, Notre Dame University Associate Professor of Education
“This is a big development,” said Notre Dame University Associate Professor of Education Dee O’Connor.
“Our University Early Childhood team has been working for 18 months with Sonas and other early learning providers, as well as the Australian Childcare Alliance. We have listened to what they have been saying about the need for an early childhood degree and a pathway option for educators working with children from birth to the age of four.”
The new degree comes as Sonas makes significant investment in the professional development of its educators, with 16 staff taking up the undergraduate certificate part-time while working at their centres.
Diploma qualified staff who have completed the undergraduate certificate will be eligible to apply to start the second year of the new degree in 2024, enabling them to complete the ‘birth-to-four’ degree in two years.
“In 2021, we launched our undergraduate certificate in early childhood learning and development with four programs of study focusing on child development, supporting young children to learn through play, understanding and guiding young children’s behaviour; and creating learning environments to learn through play,” Professor O’Connor said.
“When we released it to the sector, Sonas really saw an opportunity to support their staff to get that deeper level of knowledge engagement. We formed a unique partnership where their staff can come onto the program and as they complete courses, they can get a financial reward through Sonas.”
Professor O’Connor, who hails from Ireland and has lived and worked in Australia for the past 10 years, said an early learning-specific degree was well overdue in Australia. Similar tertiary qualifications were commonplace internationally, particularly in Ireland and Europe, she said.
“Certainly, my view of the international quality standard is that that 60% of those that work in early learning centres would be degree trained, so this is Australia moving in that direction.
“Hopefully, this degree brings acknowledgement to people who work in a very professional and highly skilled job so they are recognised for the amazing work that they do.
“Educating children is the most important job in the world. The younger the child, the greater the impact in terms of their educational experiences and carer experiences. A specific university qualification that focuses on the younger years has been needed for some time.
“As we learn more about child development and the vulnerabilities and importance of the early years, a greater focus on policy and investment in providing young children with the best opportunities is developed – and the best opportunities come through the best people and the best training.”
Professor O’Connor said Sonas’ ethos and dedication to the sector was highly impressive.
“The leaders and educators that we have engaged with from Sonas are deep thinkers, they’re hard workers, they’re incredibly committed, and they have really strong vocation and are deeply engaged with the program,” she said.
“Our lecturers have spoken to me really highly about some of the staff and I’ve seen it myself. There is a really high calibre of people coming to us from Sonas.”
Sonas Owner Shelley Prendergast said Notre Dame’s new degree was due recognition for the important work early childhood educators undertake and their dedication to professional development to achieve the best educational outcomes.
Sonas provides financial support and salary incentives for staff who complete further training, she said.
“These qualifications provide rightful acknowledgement of the important job our educators do day-in, day-out to shape our future generations,” Mrs Prendergast said.
“By supporting our staff and educators to complete these qualifications, we are investing in their ability to provide the best teaching and learning outcomes possible.”
Early Learning staff who have completed their Diploma are encouraged to enrol in the Undergraduate Certificate in Early Childhood Learning and Development for 2023 so that they can apply to join the second year of the new degree program in 2024. Doing so would allow them to complete their 0-4 degree in the equivalent of two-year full time.
To apply for the Undergraduate Certificate for 2023, please email dee.oconnor@nd.edu.au with the email tag line ‘starting study in 2023’.