Flying Start Pathways Program
Start your career in early childhood education
Are you ready to make a difference in the lives of young children?
The Flying Start Pathways Program is your opportunity to step into a rewarding career in early childhood education.
The Pathways Program supports the rollout of 3-year-old preschool from 2026 by offering integrated career progression and wrap-around support services for people who want to work in the early childhood education and care sector and need additional support while they study.
The Pathways Program includes pre-certificate ‘taster’ courses, tailored support while you learn and with placements, and a diploma bridging course to help educators transition into early childhood teaching qualifications.
Your pathway, your future
Whether you're just starting out, already studying, returning to study, or looking to upskill in the early childhood sector, the Pathways Program can help you on your journey to a rewarding career in early childhood education, no matter what your background or where you're starting from.
Pre-certificate ‘taster’
If you are new to the early childhood sector, or not sure if its right for you, you can start with a Pathways Program pre-certificate ‘taster’ course. This is a free short, supported introduction to the early childhood sector. It will help you build your confidence, meet educators, and discover if this career is right for you. Courses will be offered in metro and regional areas.
National training qualifications
If you are keen to jump straight in, whether through a traineeship or training in a classroom with placements in services, enrolling in the Pathways Program can get you started with nationally recognised Certificate III and Diploma qualifications in early childhood.
Diploma bridging course
If you already have a diploma, take the next step with the diploma bridging course offered through the Pathways Program, to help you transition into a teaching degree with confidence and support.
Tailored support
Every learner is different. The Pathways Program offers wrap-around support tailored to your needs, from enrolment to graduation and starting your career. Whether you are studying, or want to study, a Certificate III, Diploma or Bachelor in early childhood education, you can get help with:
- support to enrol, course counselling and individualised training plans
- advice regarding the availability of financial assistance for study
- wellbeing and mental health support
- referrals to support services
- pastoral care
- career guidance
- access to peer learning communities
- support to grow your study and academic skills; and
- support to transition to further studies.
Improved placement experience
Even if you are already training, you can access the Pathways Program to get the support you need, including through high-quality placements with services to support you throughout your course.
Who can apply
This program is specifically designed for people that need support during their training including those from the following backgrounds:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- young people not in education, employment or training
- people with disability
- gender-diverse
- mature-aged learners
- long-term unemployed
- culturally and linguistically diverse; and
- first-in-family tertiary students.
If you aren’t from one of these priority groups, you can still access support. Contact Gowrie SA for more information.
Take the first step
Contact the Flying Start Pathways Program team at Gowrie SA.
Phone: 1800 129 606 (select option 2)
Email: pathways@gowriesa.org.au
Website: www.gowriesa.org.au/flying-start-pathways-program
To provide feedback on the program, or to raise concerns, please contact the Workforce Policy and Innovation team within the Office for Early Childhood Development directly at OECD.ECWorkforceSupport@sa.gov.au