Migration agents are funnelling students into childcare courses despite a lack of interest or qualifications for such a career, education regulators have warned.
Students who are “not genuine” and who have not undertaken mandatory checks for placement in a daycare centres are also signing up.
The regulator has sounded the alarm on childcare placement students Credit: Monique Westermann
University regulator TEQSA and its vocational education counterpart ASQA have sounded the alarm on new risks to children in childcare and preschools posed by students on placement as part of their studies.
“The sector alert highlights risk-based concerns about whether some providers’ enrolment, delivery and assessment practices are genuinely participating in their studies,” TEQSA spokesperson said.
“Rapid changes in enrolment patterns, student preparedness for placement and weaknesses in assessment integrity can place pressure on education quality and child safety.”
The consequences for children in their care are significant, said NSW Greens MLC Abigail Boyd, who chaired an inquiry into NSW childcare centres. “It’s rotten,” she said.
“It’s driving the sector towards one where, if you’re lucky, it’s like putting your child into a safety deposit box for the day.”
The parliamentary inquiry into childcare chaired by Greens MLC Abigail Boyd is due to report back in March. Credit: Jessica Hromas
Poor teaching practices also undermine the known benefits of quality early childhood education – improved cognitive outcomes, school readiness and test scores – said Boyd.
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