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Teacher-led program

All Partner Services must have a qualified ECT to deliver the preschool program for the full preschool program hours.

An ECT delivering the preschool program means ‘the individual or individuals responsible for the development, implementation, and delivery of the funded preschool program or programs’.

An individual will be considered a qualified ECT if they:

  • are registered with the Teachers Registration Board (TRB), and hold a degree that at a minimum, meets National Quality Framework qualification requirements; or
  • are completing or have completed a qualification approved by the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority and hold a Special Authority to Teach as an ECT SAT from the TRB5.  In these circumstances, Services must confirm with OECD Local Teams that there is another registered ECT available to coach and support programming and practice where the program is being led by a person with an ECT SAT.

ECT absences

Where the teacher delivering a funded preschool program is absent due to planned or unplanned leave, resignation or termination, a diploma-qualified educator, or person who holds a qualification in primary teaching, may replace them for a period of up to, but not exceeding, 60 business days in a 12-month period (calendar year from January to December), provided there is another registered teacher identified to coach and support programming and practice during this period.

This provision applies to the delivery of both 3- and 4-year-old preschool programs.

This 60-day ‘supportive period’ is calculated per preschool room and applies regardless of the number of days, hours or weeks the preschool program is delivered. The 60 business days do not need to be consecutive and may include multiple periods of absences throughout the year e.g. to cover annual leave. Periods of absence of 5 or less consecutive business days do not need to be counted in the 60-days.

Partner Providers must notify their OECD Local Team when delivery of the program is impacted as a result of teacher absences.

5 For more information, see Specific Authorities | Teachers Registration Board of South Australia (trb.sa.edu.au).