Bannaua Brown is usually busy driving her two teen boys to school and activities, but she’s finally found the “freedom” to study and pursue her dream job as an early childhood teacher.  

The Newcastle mother decided she would switch careers after the pandemic lockdown forced her to step away from her jewellery business.

“I’ve always loved children. People have always said to me that I’m good with their kids,” Ms Brown said.

“I thought maybe I should do some sort of TAFE course through online study to keep me busy.”

Ms Brown completed her Certificate III and Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care online through TAFE NSW before undertaking a placement at Hamilton Childcare Centre where she has been employed ever since.  

"I thought, I really, really like this. I enjoy learning about children and knowing there's so much more to early childhood than just babysitting which a lot of people think is all we do," she said.

Ms Brown, 47, wanted to dive deeper to study early learning and children’s development in the early years.

With the help of a $25,000 ECT scholarship from the NSW Department of Education she will now take on tertiary studies at the University of Wollongong to become an early childhood teacher.

The accelerated pathways degree will allow her to help children develop language, vocabulary, numeracy, physical and social skills.   

Ms Brown said the NSW ECEC Scholarship Program opens the way for more educators to upskill without financial burden to broaden their learning and incorporate their existing valuable life skills.

"I would not have done the degree if I didn't get funding," she said.

"There’s so much more to this industry. We don't just play with babies all day – we’re stimulating their brains; we’re developing their learning skills. That’s why it made me want to learn more about it."

ECEC Scholarships Program

Bannaua Brown is among 2000 scholarship recipients of the 2023-24 Early Childhood Education and Care Scholarships. This number is double the scholarships awarded in the previous year when the program was expanded to meet increased demand.

The NSW Government has awarded 1208 Vocational Education and Training scholarships and 837 early childhood teacher scholarships, with payments to date of more than $2 million.

Around one quarter of the successful scholars are from regional and remote areas of NSW, with the remainder from metropolitan locations.

The scholarship program aims to create a reliable pipeline of educators for NSW’s littlest learners by financially assisting people wanting to enter the workforce and existing staff looking to boost their skills.   

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said the NSW Government is invested in growing a highly qualified and sustainable early childhood education and care workforce, committing $29.4 million to the 2023-24 scholarships program to ensure every eligible applicant received a scholarship.    

“The NSW Government is committed to growing the early childhood workforce, by investing in programs that help attract new educators to the sector and retaining those already involved in the workforce,” she said.

“After record demand for our scholarship program, we have made an additional $17.1 million available, in addition to the $12.3 million already committed.  

“This program gives financial support to early childhood workers, and those wanting to join the workforce, while they undertake relevant tertiary training – which is vital for those wanting to upskill during a cost-of-living crisis. 

“Support of this kind is essential, so we can support early childhood services around the state and ensure our youngest learners are given the best start in life.” 

The scholarship program includes up to $25,000 awarded to people wanting to become early childhood teachers, while early childhood education and care staff seeking a diploma and Certificate III qualifications are granted up to $5000.   

 For the first time, those looking to secure Outside School Hours Care qualifications have also been awarded scholarships.