Jourdy Capitanio always knew she wanted to be a kindergarten teacher. Now, with help from a new state government financial support program, she’s one step closer to realising her dream.
For as long as she can remember, Jourdy Capitanio has had a passion for working with children.
“I’ve always wanted to be a kindergarten teacher… I think I’ve always had a knack of connecting with young children, and it’s always what I wanted to do,” she says.
Today, Jourdy is in the final semester of her Bachelor of Education (Birth to 5 years) at UniSA, but her journey hasn’t been easy. She says balancing her work in the early childhood sector with study, as well as health and financial challenges has been “tough”.
But Jourdy’s passion for teaching children has never wavered. “Being able to create a nurturing environment for children, while being able to help them learn and develop, is just so special,” she says.
Financial support for aspiring early childhood teachers and educators
Thankfully, Jourdy discovered the new QualifySA in Early Childhood Financial Support Program. It’s a government initiative designed to ease the financial burden for those studying early childhood education.
“I am just so grateful that the government is addressing some of the challenges facing our sector. The introduction of this financial support is an exciting development, and I was genuinely thrilled when I first learned about it. Had this financial support been available when I first began my studies, it would have eased a lot of the financial stress I was under. The support would have allowed me to dedicate more time and energy into my studies. I am grateful that future students will benefit from this opportunity”.
For Jourdy, the support goes beyond financial relief – it feels like recognition of the hard work that goes into being an early childhood educator. “There’s a huge stigma around early childhood educators… it’s still seen far too often as just babysitting,” she says. “But there’s so much more to it. A lot of people don’t realise how much effort and dedication it takes to be an early childhood educator.”
So who’s eligible for the financial support?
The QualifySA in Early Childhood Financial Support Program is designed to help South Australian residents pursuing early childhood qualifications by offsetting costs related to their study. The program is open to school leavers, career changers, current students and early childhood educators who are looking to upskill.
Eligible participants can receive up to $25,000 in financial support while studying an approved birth to 5 bachelor degree, $17,000 for birth to 5 master degree, and $7,000 for an approved early childhood diploma. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants can access higher amounts. The program also offers additional support for those in regional or remote areas.
Making early childhood education a priority
Jourdy’s grant is part of a larger push by the South Australian Government to make early childhood education a priority. Following the Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care, led by former Prime Minister Julia Gillard, the state is gearing up for a major overhaul in the sector.
The Royal Commission found that 23.8 per cent of South Australian children are developmentally vulnerable when they start school – putting them at risk of falling behind. To give SA’s children the best start possible, the State Government has set an ambitious target to reduce this number to 15 per cent over the next 20 years.
A key part of this effort is the rollout of universal preschool, which will give all three-year-old children access to 15 hours of quality care and education each week by 2032. Trials have also begun for Kindy Care, which will expand out-of-school hours care to make things easier for parents.
A new generation of early childhood teachers and educators
To make this vision a reality, South Australia will need to build the pipeline of early childhood teachers and educators, while supporting and retaining the existing workforce. By 2032, the Royal Commission estimated that the state will need 800 more teachers and 880 additional educators to staff preschools, long day care, and family day care programs.
This is where the QualifySA program comes in. “We need more dedicated teachers and educators in our sector, and programs like QualifySA serve as a great way to attract them,” Jourdy says.
“Ultimately, I think putting more value on our early childhood teachers and educators is the most important thing. It is impossible to provide high-quality education without them. I am hopeful that the QualifySA initiative will entice more people who are passionate about entering the field, fostering a new generation of dedicated early childhood teachers and educators.
“It may lead individuals who are considering a new career path, to think, “I want to make a difference; perhaps early childhood education is a career I could pursue”. In turn, it will enhance the overall quality of education provided to our youngest and most vulnerable people.”
The role of early childhood teachers and educators in a child’s development
Jourdy has seen firsthand the profound impact that early childhood teachers and educators can have on children’s development. Research shows 90 per cent of brain development occurs by the time a child is five.
She says her job is to create warm and trusting relationships with the children in predictable, safe, stimulating and nurturing environments where they can explore and expand their minds and motor skills through play-based learning.
“Children learn through play. It sounds so simple, but through pretend play, they’re role-playing, practising real-life skills, learning problem-solving and creativity – that’s how they develop,” she says.
Helping the whole family
She also stresses the importance of early childhood teachers and educators in helping children navigate emotions and social interactions. “We’re helping them solve conflict, deal with their emotions and develop those vital skills they need for life,” Jourdy says.
But it’s not just the children who benefit – Jourdy finds that supporting families is another rewarding aspect of her work. “A lot of parents just come to me for advice and emotional support, and it’s such a special part of the job… you’re not only helping the children, you’re also helping the parents.”
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Full details about how to apply for the QualifySA in Early Childhood Financial Support Program are here.