For the first time, Hunter region residents can access Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) to study the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Care at TAFE NSW Glendale. The introduction of federal tuition subsidies for the Semester Two 2026 intake is strategically designed to lower higher education cost barriers and address acute labour shortages within the regional early childhood education and care sector.
Data from Jobs and Skills Australia indicates a national shortfall exceeding 21,000 early childhood educators, while Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) metrics reveal that only 13 per cent of the current domestic childcare workforce holds a higher education degree.
The Glendale campus program offers two distinct delivery models: a standard four-year undergraduate degree pathway and an accelerated 2.5-year articulation track tailored for individuals who already hold a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care. The curriculum integrates theoretical child development frameworks with mandatory industry-based clinical placements focused on early childhood development from birth to five years.
Belmont resident Elise Squires completed her Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Care (Birth-5) at TAFE NSW Glendale while maintaining full-time employment within the regional childcare sector. Earlier this year, she was awarded the Academic Award for her graduating cohort.
“After completing my Certificate III, this bachelor’s degree helped me expand my knowledge and gain the qualifications to take on greater responsibilities in the early childhood education field I love,” Elise said.
“The degree also opened my eyes to opportunities beyond working directly with children, including training and mentoring future early childhood educators. There’s a real need for highly qualified educators here in the Hunter and across the sector.”
The campus expansion forms part of a coordinated state-wide rollout by the NSW Department of Education, with Glendale operating as the exclusive CSP degree provider for the Hunter region alongside five metropolitan and coastal campuses including Shellharbour, Ultimo, Nirimba, St Leonards, and Randwick.
NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan noted that public tertiary infrastructure must adapt to meet structural regional service delivery pressures.
“Early childhood services continue to face challenges finding qualified educators, with strong demand for skilled workers across the sector,” Steve said.
“By expanding access to higher education through TAFE NSW, we are helping people get skills that work and build the workforce needed to support children, families and early learning services, especially in regional communities.”
IMAGE | TAFE NSW Glendale introduces federally subsidised degree placements to target regional childcare shortage
