Professional learning for staff
There are a range of training programs, learning resources and professional development opportunities available to support the delivery of Flying Start 3-year-old preschool.
The Office for Early Childhood Development (OECD) works with a range of organisations to develop resources to support teachers and early childhood staff upskill to deliver quality 3-year-old preschool.
Child safety training
National child safety training is mandatory for everybody working or volunteering in an early childhood education and care service regulated under the National Quality Framework (NQF).
Providers can apply for a professional development subsidy to help cover the cost of wages while staff complete the training.
Required training for Flying Start Partners
Flying Start partner services must ensure required staff complete two core training programs to strengthen their capability in Trauma-informed Practice and Aboriginal Cultural Safety.
The OECD funds access for Flying Start partner services, including delivery costs and backfill contributions for staff mandated to complete the training. The amount your service will receive is outlined in your Preschool Boost plan.
The Trauma-informed Practice (TiP) training package is a contractual obligation for Flying Start partners.
All staff mandated to undertake the online training must complete both modules by November 2026.
Completion will be reported through Preschool Boost reporting processes.
About the training
The Trauma-informed Practice training package includes 2 online modules that take about an hour each to complete. Delivered online, the training is self-paced and can be completed over more than one sitting.
The training will:
- help you understand what trauma is and why trauma-informed practice is important
- give you insights into the effects of trauma; and
- offer practical strategies to help you respond with care and confidence in your role.
Who needs to do the training?
All Early Childhood Teachers (ECTs) and educators working in funded preschool room/s.
Other staff in direct contact with families participating in the funded preschool program, such as administration staff.
You can access the online modules on plink - learn more about accessing plink.
Aboriginal Cultural Safety training helps to create more inclusive services for Aboriginal children, families and Communities.
All early childhood professionals are encouraged to undertake Aboriginal Cultural Safety training, and some core training must be undertaken by Flying Start partner services.
The Aboriginal Cultural Safety Framework (Framework) outlines the 3 levels of training:
- Level 1 - Knowing: the foundational Aboriginal Cultural Safety training to be delivered to all services (must be undertaken by partner services).
- Level 2 - Being: intermediate training that further builds understanding beyond the foundational level.
- Level 3 - Doing: considered advanced and unpacks in more detail the critical elements to cultural safety.
Who needs to do the training?
Flying Start partner services must ensure the following staff complete at least the Level 1 - Knowing component of Aboriginal Cultural Safety training:
- all ECTs and educators working in the funded preschool room/s; and
- other staff in direct contact with families from these rooms, such as administration staff.
The training must be delivered by a supplier listed on the Preschool Boost menu. These suppliers include Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and Aboriginal Business Suppliers that have developed training aligned to the Framework. Contact a supplier who can provide face-to-face, or online face-to-face, training in your area.
Additional training
Services can purchase Level 2 and Level 3 training from the Preschool Boost menu in addition to the free Level 1 core training.
Learn more about Aboriginal Cultural Safety training.
Professional learning opportunities
Preschool Plus partner services have access to an optional, additional TiP coaching program.
The OECD has partnered with the multidisciplinary allied health and education service Connect.Ed to deliver the coaching program.
The program builds on the foundational knowledge gained from the online foundational TiP modules and supports educators to:
- embed trauma-responsive practices
- create emotionally safe environments
- model positive relationships; and
- support children's ability to self-regulate.
The coaching program will be offered in-person or as a hybrid model (in-person and online) and will be delivered over 3-5 sessions tailored to the needs of your service.
Each Preschool Plus partner service can access the coaching program for free as a one-off investment.
To book into the coaching program, email the Preschool Boost team - PreschoolBoost@sa.gov.au
Accessing professional learning on plink
Professional learning modules in early childhood education and care are available online on plink.
Visit the Flying Start professional learning login page on plink.
1. Sign in to plink with EdPass. This is connected to your @schools email address.
2. Visit the plink login page. Select the relevant button on the left-hand side of the page. Depending on your login settings, your login may be automatic.
3. You can access the Flying Start landing page for the full catalogue of professional learning
1. If you are already a plink user, for example to access RRHAN-EC training, log in with your usual account details.
2. If you have not used plink before, create an account using the Sign-Up button.
3. When creating an account, use your primary email address. This does not need to be connected to your work. Select account type 9- Flying Start.
4. You can access the Flying Start plink landing page for the full catalogue of professional learning.