And, in rural and remote areas, good teachers are hard to come by.

To encourage diploma-qualified early childhood educators to further their education and boost their qualifications, Member for Murray Austin Evans is calling on all suitable candidates to apply for a rural and remote early childhood teaching scholarship.

“Since this scholarship program was introduced, the NSW Government has supported 109 educators across the state to upskill. That’s 109 more bachelor qualified teachers giving our children the best possible early childhood education,” Mr Evans said.

The Area News spoke with Glenn Taylor, an early childhood teacher from Griffith Preschool Kindergarten, who is applying for the scholarship.

“I think it’s a good way to help extend your study and learning,” Mr Taylor said.

“Studying isn’t cheap, especially remote, and that financial benefit will be a great asset.”

Mr Taylor told us about his pathway to teaching.

“I went and studied my Certificate III at TAFE and then I got a full-time job, and completed my diploma at night.”

“I thought I’d go the long way because I couldn’t afford to go to university.”

“Now, I think it’s time to get my teaching degree,” he said.

Mr Taylor says that part of the scholarship would go towards textbooks and his degree.

And, he is looking to study at the University of Wollongong, or Charles Sturt University, by distance.

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Mr Taylor believes the scholarships will benefit the community, and supports all applying.

“I think we need more teacher-qualified people in this industry,” Mr Taylor said.

“I think it’s really good to have these type of scholarships for rural areas to help people become more trained, and to have more teachers in the early years education system as well.

“It can be quite tricky to find a lot of teachers in birth to five years as most people who become teachers go to the primary system.

“If you needed to find a teacher, you have to really look for one – it’s not like diplomas where you can put an ad in and get say six or seven applicants.

“With teachers you might get one or two applicants.”

There are currently three teachers and 39 students at Griffith Preschool Kindergarten, and Mr Taylor says that there is a wait list of children long enough to fill another room at his preschool.

“You’re better off applying a year in advance.”

Mr Taylor enjoys teaching physical activities, and literacy, with Green Eggs and Ham being one of his favourites to read to the children.

“I normally read that one at the start,” he said.

“We talk about trying new foods because generally at the start the children don’t want to eat what they’ve got; it’s about trying new foods.”

When asked what his future holds, Mr Taylor responded:

“I think I’ll stay in this industry now – I was looking to go into primary, but I just love teaching preschool age.”

The scholarship program will award up to 30 scholarships every year for four years – from 2017 to 2020.

“These scholarships are flexible and can be used for a number of costs incurred during studies. This could include textbooks, travel costs, technology to support study, or course fees,” Mr Evans said.

“I strongly urge anyone who is eligible to think about applying.”

The deadline for application is in early June.

For more information about the scholarships and how to apply, visit the Department of Education website.