The program will offer free university courses for early educators, developed by the education department and the University of Tasmania. 

Early Childhood Educators of Tasmania president Annette Davey welcomed the proposal, saying there has been a need for more support to help early learning educators upskill. 

Minister for Education and Training Jeremy Rockliff launched the initiative on Friday. “This is as a part of the liberal government’s investment to develop our education workforce to ensure we have the best and brightest minds inspiring our learners,” he said. 

The courses will develop the skills, knowledge and practices of early learning teachers, to ensure children are given the best start. 

Tasmania has poor literacy and numeracy rates and there is a known correlation between literacy development in early years and later academic achievement. 

“It is absolutely essential those early years,” Ms Davey said. “Research after research has proven that that early brain development, that early learning … is absolutely essential to a child's learning.” 

Mr Rockliff said this new initiative is part of the government's plan to invest in skills and support for education professionals, “with a focus on driving school improvement and student learning.”