Celebrating Early Childhood Teachers

Key messages:

1. Early childhood teachers are degree‑qualified educators with specialist expertise in children’s learning and development from birth to eight years of age.
2. Quality early childhood education is critical in developing children’s academic and non‑academic qualities, supporting positive educational experiences, improving social inclusion, reducing disadvantage and strengthening transition to school.
3. Early childhood education has its own philosophy, pedagogy and professional identity.
4. Attracting and retaining qualified early childhood teachers to work with preschool children is challenging in some parts of Australia.

Introduction/why read:

Early childhood teachers are an essential and growing part of the Australian teaching workforce. The early years, from birth to eight years of age, are a critical period for children’s learning and development, and research highlights the significant contribution that qualified early childhood teachers make to children’s outcomes at school and beyond.

This Spotlight research report, Celebrating Early Childhood Teachers, highlights the distinctive expertise of early childhood teachers, their specialist qualifications, and the unique philosophy and pedagogy that underpin early childhood education. It also explores the value of quality early childhood education in supporting academic success, social inclusion, wellbeing and smooth transitions to school—particularly for children experiencing disadvantage.

The report is relevant for teachers, school leaders, system leaders and policy makers seeking to better understand, recognise and support the professional identity of early childhood teachers, and to address ongoing workforce challenges in attracting and retaining qualified educators across diverse early learning contexts.