Workforce issues continue to impact on early childhood education and care services across the country. Workforce shortages may impact the quality of care and/or the number of places available for children. The CRIS notes that if an ECT is absent in the short term, they can be replaced by a diploma or primary teacher qualification holder for 60 days in a 12 month period. Options proposed include whether this flexibility should be extended to cover diploma and Certificate III educators, if it should be increased to 80 days, as well as whether NSW’s requirement for third and fourth ECTs could be met by suitably qualified persons such as school teachers.
