Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley has announced the opening of applications for the Nurturing Skills Learner Fund 2026. The initiative is designed to support early years educators in pursuing degree-level qualifications while continuing to work in the early learning and care sector. Under the scheme, the fund covers up to 90% of course fees for eligible educators undertaking approved degree programmes.
The programme allows participants to complete their studies over a four-year period while remaining employed in their current roles. By reducing financial barriers to higher education, the fund aims to strengthen the skills and qualifications of the early years workforce and improve the overall quality of early learning and care services. It also supports professional development, career progression, and the recruitment and retention of staff in the sector.
The Nurturing Skills Learner Fund is co-funded by the European Union through the EIST Programme 2021–2027. Since its launch in 2024, the scheme has provided financial assistance to more than 700 applicants. The 2026 application round will offer over 350 additional places for early years educators seeking to obtain degree-level qualifications.
The initiative forms part of the government’s broader goal of achieving a graduate-led workforce in early learning and care services by 2028. Data shows that the proportion of early years educators holding relevant degree qualifications has increased significantly, rising from 12% in 2012 to 39% in 2025. Through the Nurturing Skills initiative, the government aims to raise this figure to at least 50% by 2028.
Under the scheme, funding is provided directly to approved higher education institutions on behalf of participating educators. This approach helps reduce upfront study costs for those pursuing qualifications at Level 7 or Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications.
The fund is intended to complement existing government financial supports, including the Free Fees Initiative and SUSI grants, which eligible early years educators may also access depending on their circumstances. By combining multiple funding supports, the programme aims to make higher education more accessible to those working in the sector.
Funding opportunities such as the Nurturing Skills Learner Fund are a key component of the Nurturing Skills Workforce Plan for Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare 2022–2028. The initiative also aligns with the First 5 strategy, a whole-of-government framework that highlights the importance of a skilled workforce in delivering high-quality services for babies, young children, and their families.
