The early childhood education and care industry in Australia is undergoing a shift
in philosophy. Changes in policy are driving the industry towards a combined early
childhood education and care focus, away from one on child care only. This move has
implications for the skilling of the child care workforce.
This research overview describes the approaches of innovative employers, those who
have excelled in the delivery of early childhood education and care services while also
providing staff with a high-quality workplace and attractive employment conditions.
The findings are drawn from workplace case studies in the child care sector, conducted
as part of a three-year project on workforce development. The employers at the heart
of this study believe they have found a ‘high skills’ way to develop the workforce in the
sector. This overview details some of the experiences of Lady Gowrie Tasmania and
Norwest Child Care in New South Wales in their search for the skill ‘highway’.