“You always have that one teacher that gave you a really positive experience, and I would like to be that teacher,” Anna, Affinity Teacher Scholarship Pathway student.
Graduating from university with no HECS debt, while earning a full-time salary may seem too good to be true, but Affinity’s Teacher Scholarship Pathway continues to support our people to realise their career dreams of becoming an Early Childhood Teacher – at no cost to them.
Affinity ECT Development and Grant Manager Emma Wood says enrolments in the program and graduate numbers are growing steadily.
“The perks and support framework in the program are really working for our educators, it’s super exciting to be seeing the new enrolments as we head into 2025,” Emma said.
Identifying and Removing Barriers To Enrolment
“We've connected with our people to identify, and then remove every possible barrier for our Diploma Qualified Educators to step up into studying to become a Bachelor qualified Early Childhood Teacher,” said Emma.
Affinity’s Teacher Scholarship Pathway perks include:
Financial contributions to support university costs
Cost of textbooks covered
Paid leave for exams and practical placement
Ongoing training and support from our dedicated Education team
“Affinity’s national community of Early Childhood Teachers collaborate and connect in fortnightly communities of practice online, and periodic in-person events, so this also ensures all students on the Pathway have a ready group of mentors for advice and coaching,” Emma said.
Paid Leave for Exams and Practical Placement Makes the Difference
One of the major barriers identified by Affinity Education Group when developing the Teacher Scholarship Pathway was the requirement for students to take blocks of leave for practical placement.
“We continue to pay our people their normal salary throughout their practical placement weeks, which can range between four to nine weeks over the course of the Pathway,” explains Emma.
“We can also arrange placement at our sister centres, and this completely supports people through those vital last stages on the way to becoming fully qualified.”
Affinity also provides in-house support for state-based registration requirements to ensure the new ECTs can commence as quickly as possible.
“There’s been zero cost to me and so much support,” said Chloe, who graduated late in 2023 as a qualified Early Childhood Teacher and remains a valued part of her team at Papilio Early Learning Bella Vista.
“I had very young children at the time, and the financial relief that I didn’t have to worry about paying for it meant I could continue studying,” said Hayley Chester, who is now both a qualified Early Childhood Teacher and Centre Manager working with Affinity.
Anna, one of the newest enrolled students in the Affinity Teacher Scholarship Pathway, is already feeling the support from Affinity and her team.
“It’s been a really positive experience so far,” she said.
Affinity Education Group invites all Diploma Qualified educators to enquire about the Teacher Scholarship Pathway – contact [email protected]