ECA Tasmania Committee

The ECA Tasmania Branch Committee represents members across Tasmania and advocates for high-quality early childhood education and care.

We work closely with Early Childhood Australia nationally to strengthen professional practice, influence policy, and support children, families, and educators across our state.

Branch President	Annette Barwick
Vice President	Jo Walsh
Public Officer	Kate Whitbread
Treasurer	Sebastian Tuttle
Secretary	Jann Williams
General Member	Kellie Watson
General Member	Lauren Armstrong
General Member	Scott Norris
General Member	Benjamin Kikkert

We provide advocacy, professional learning, and sector engagement opportunities for early childhood professionals across Tasmania.

Our work includes representing member voices, contributing to national consultations, supporting events and networking, and identifying local priorities that impact the workforce and quality outcomes for children.

As Project Owner we actively support and promote the Early Years and School Age Care (EYSAC) Workforce Initiative, which drives coordinated workforce reform across Tasmania

EYSAC Workforce Initiative current funded projects include:

1. EYSAC Workforce Connections

• The Workforce Connections Program aims to strengthen the strategic workforce planning and development capability of education and care services across Tasmania, by providing structured, sector-informed support that responds to local needs and informs broader workforce initiatives.
• The program delivers tailored coaching directly to services to build their capability in workforce planning and development. In addition to direct service support, the program fosters strategic networking and collaboration across the sector, enabling shared learning, aligned efforts, and innovation. Through place-based, context responsive approaches, it aims to build a more resilient and connected education and care workforce across Tasmania.
• The Workforce Connections Program is funded by the Tasmanian Government through the Department of State Growth and is delivered by Early Childhood Australia (ECA) National on behalf of the ECA Tasmania Branch.

2. Tasmanian Education & Care Workforce Development Scholarships

• The Workforce Development Scholarship Program, delivered by Early Childhood Australia (ECA) National on behalf of the ECA Tasmania Branch, and funded by the Tasmanian Government through the Department of State Growth, is a strategic initiative to strengthen the education and care workforce across Tasmania.
• This program is designed to support:- Aspiring educators seeking an education and care qualification
  – Experienced professionals looking to upskill and advance in the sector
  – Educators relocating to rural or isolated services in Tasmania

3. Early Years and School Age Care (EYSAC) Workforce Strategy – Currently under review

View the EYSAC Workforce Strategy:

Advocating for actions under the Early Childhood Education and Care Industry Skills Compact

View the Education and Care Industry Skills Compact and Priority Action Plan

Engaging members in state and national policy reform discussions

Funding and Resource Allocation

The ECA Tasmania Branch actively sought funding through the Tasmanian Government 2024/2025 budget submission to continue the EYSAC strategic workforce project. A notable success includes the Liberal party’s commitment to provide $890,000 over three years for project officers and the establishment of a $5 million Early Years Workforce Development Fund.

Be the Difference Suite of Career Resources

Targeted at students in year 8–12 and the significant adults that guide and support informed career choices. Exploring a career in education and care – Being the difference in children’s lives.

• Be the difference – Early Years and School Age Care (EYSAC)
• Career Guide
• Education and Care: School to Work Pathways
• Brochure
• Postcard (front) and postcard (back)

Traineeship Resources

Traineeship Handbooks for:

• Employers
• Trainees

Workforce Programs and Tools

• Local Jobs Pre employment Program
• Learnings, success factors and challenges built into current and future scoping for similar initiatives.

Local Jobs Education and Care Good Fit Tool

• New funding secured, and tool developed.
• The purpose of the education and care good fit tool is to help people considering jobs or qualifications in the education and care sector to think about how their strengths ‘fit’ with some of the areas important for working in the education and care profession.

Policy and Sector Collaboration

• Contributed Tasmanian perspectives to national policy submissions and consultations.
• Supported cross-sector collaboration through the Early Years and School Age Care (EYSAC) Workforce Initiative.
• Strengthened alignment between professional learning, advocacy, and workforce reform priorities for example working with The Department for Education, Children and Young People (DECYP) and the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) to develop and support the Tasmanian Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) sector by providing free training opportunities to improve workforce capability and skills.
• Increased visibility of early childhood education as a critical social and economic contributor in Tasmania through the EYSAC Workforce Initiative.

Representation

With representatives on Early Childhood Outcomes and Regulation (ECOR) Strategic Reference Group

ECOR regulates early childhood education and care (ECEC) and child care in Tasmania under two legislative frameworks.

• The National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education and Care, including the National Law and National Regulations.
• The Child Care Act (Tasmania) 2001 and supporting Licensing Standards.

Emaill: ecatas@earlychildhood.org.au

Facebook: Early Childhood Australia – TAS