Flying Start Pathways Program
Start Your Career in Early Childhood Education in South Australia
Looking for a rewarding career in early childhood education? The Flying Start Pathways Program is ready to help get you there.
Gowrie SA, in partnership with the Office for Early Childhood Development (OECD), is committed to growing South Australia’s early childhood workforce.
The Flying Start Pathways Program is a comprehensive support program, designed to help aspiring early childhood educators who need extra guidance and support - as they transition from training into meaningful employment, 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 Pathways Program support.
In partnership with The Umbrella Collective and Time Education and Training (RTO:40058), the program provides coordinated, wraparound support to build confidence and help you seamlessly step into an early childhood career.
The Flying Start Pathways Program offers four key elements, designed to meet you wherever you are in your learning journey.
Pre-certificate taster course
New to the early childhood sector or unsure if it’s right for you?
The Pre-certificate taster course helps empower learners from diverse backgrounds and provides insight into what it’s like to join the early childhood workforce. The FREE 4-week course is a supported introduction to the sector and study pathways.
Turn your curiosity into a calling.
The next Pre-certificate taster course will be held in Thebarton from 21st July-13th August 2026. Click here for the flier and more information.
Tailored student support
With wrap-around support from enrolment to graduation and employment, the Tailored student support program walks alongside learners every step of the way - offering mentoring, wellbeing support, and career guidance to help individuals overcome barriers and succeed.
Whether you are studying, or want to study, a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, or a Bachelor of Teaching/Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5), support is available.
Even if you are already studying, you can access the Pathways Program to get the support you need, including placements support with services.
Diploma bridging course
Diploma-qualified and working in South Australia? Take the next step in your career – enrol in a Birth to 5 teaching degree with an SA university and get the support you need through the Diploma Bridging Course.
It’s your launchpad into higher education, with tailored guidance to set you up to successfully transition into a birth to five early childhood teaching degree.
Click here for details - next course starting April 27th 2026
Placement improvement
Hosting student placements? Let’s elevate the experience – together! The Flying Start Pathways Program offers free, hands-on support to help you create high-quality, rewarding placement experiences that benefit both your service and your Certificate III, Diploma and Bachelor students.
Join our 2-hour session designed to support student mentors with practical tools and strategies to make every placement count.
Click here for details - next session April 29th 2026 session
Click here for details - next session August 26th 2026 session
For more information
Call us on 1800 129 606 (option 2) or email pathways@gowriesa.org.au
The Flying Start Pathways Program is an initiative of the Office for Early Childhood Development (OECD) as part of the Flying Start reforms and is fully funded for eligible participants.
