The QUT School of Education is set to deliver a Queensland-first, innovative early childhood educational leadership program, funded by the Queensland Department of Education and in partnership with the Early Learning and Care Council of Australia (ELACCA).
The Queensland Educational Leadership Program (QELP) was announced by Hon John-Paul Langbroek MP, Minister for Education and the Arts at the Australian Childcare Alliance conference on 27 June 2026.
QELP, an accredited microcredential, will build leadership capability for educational leaders employed in community kindergartens and long day care services that are Queensland approved kindergarten program providers. Up to 500 educational leaders from rural, regional, and metro locations are to participate over the next five years.
QUT will lead the design, delivery and evaluation of QELP, supporting educational leaders to strengthen leadership skills, drive quality practice, and lead teams through change across early childhood education and care settings.
Dr Marie White, from the QUT School Education, said the program represented an important investment in the people who shape children’s earliest learning experiences.
“QELP is designed to equip educational leaders with the skills and confidence to lead improvement, support their colleagues and respond to the evolving needs of children, families and communities,” Dr White said.
Dr White said the program would translate research into practical strategies educational leaders could apply in their own settings.
“We know that sustained, practice-based professional learning has the greatest impact, and this program has been designed to create meaningful change at the service level,” she said.
The program builds on QUT’s established leadership professional development approach, including the From the Ground Up program, and draws on research into quality early childhood education across Australia.
ELACCA Chief Executive Officer, Dr Amanda Walsh, said: “leadership is vitally important in early learning and care services – it drives quality, innovation, staff retention and safety”.
“We are so pleased to be supporting educators across Queensland to build their leadership skills.”
Mrs Charlotte Johnson, Senior Manager of Continuing Professional Education at QUT, said such partnerships were testament of how QUT’s cutting-edge research was translated into powerful leadership programs, improving workforce capability, supporting young-minds and with immediate effect on our community.
Professor Terri Bourke, Dean and Head of QUT School of Education, said QELP would expand access to high-quality professional learning across Queensland.
“This program reflects the strength of partnership between QUT, the Queensland Government and ELACCA, and a shared focus on supporting the early childhood workforce,” Professor Bourke said.
“By investing in leadership capability, we are empowering educators to create quality educational programs and improve learning outcomes for children across Queensland.”
QELP will support the development of capable, confident and connected early childhood leaders, helping to meet growing demand and complexity across the sector.
QUT’s School of Education continues to support the sector and delivers a range of continuing professional education initiatives, including short courses, masterclasses and microcredentials designed to provide practical, real-world learning that can be applied immediately in the workplace.
Professor Bourke said these offerings were flexible and accessible, with many courses delivered online and structured to support educators at different career stages, while also providing potential pathways into postgraduate study.
Upcoming programs include Inclusive Education Essentials, which supports educators to build knowledge and practical strategies for inclusive teaching and learning environments, as well as Trauma-aware Education: The Evidence and How to Respond
