ECT Access
Let’s be clear—you do not always need a full-time, on-site Early Childhood Teacher to remain compliant.
The Education and Care Services National Regulations are intentionally flexible—and Wattle & Grove helps you use that flexibility strategically, without compromising quality.
What the Regulations Actually Say
Under Regulation 130 – Requirement for Early Childhood Teacher:
Services must have an ECT “in attendance” or “access to an ECT”, depending on size.
For smaller services:
Services with fewer than 25 approved places can meet this requirement through access to an ECT
This access can be delivered via information communication technology (ICT)
The requirement is at least 20% of operating hours
This allows your service to remain fully compliant with a remote ECT model.
Designed for
Real Services
This model is particularly valuable for:
Start-up services building occupancy and not yet ready for a full-time ECT
Services actively recruiting for a permanent, face-to-face ECT
Smaller services needing a compliant, financially sustainable solution
Providers wanting to maintain quality while managing costs.
More than an ECT
Wattle & Grove gives your service access to more than a single Early Childhood Teacher. You’re supported by a team of highly experienced ECTs, guided by Hannah Crossley — an award-winning Early Childhood Teacher, long day care owner, and recognised leader in building exceeding services.
With experience across multiple services, states, teams, and regulatory environments, Hannah mentors our ECT team to ensure consistent quality, strong pedagogical leadership, and practical support that meets the real needs of your service.
Strategic support, not just compliance
Our ECT support goes beyond meeting regulatory requirements. Because Hannah is an active service owner herself, Wattle & Grove brings insight that is current, practical, and grounded in the day-to-day realities of early childhood education.
We work alongside centre owners, directors, and parent committees to provide guidance that strengthens operations, supports teams, and helps services make confident, informed decisions.
Strengthening quality across your service
Your Wattle & Grove ECT can also support the Educational Leader role under Regulation 118, helping to strengthen pedagogy and improve practice across your service.
This may include reviewing critical reflections, providing feedback on programming and planning cycles, supporting learning stories and documentation, and mentoring educators to build confidence and capability. The result is stronger practice, greater consistency, and more support heading into Assessment and Rating.
A genuine part of your team
Your Wattle & Grove ECT is not a tick-the-box solution. They become an embedded member of your service, working rostered shifts, responding to daily needs, attending meetings, supporting communication, and integrating into your service culture.
Whether in person or remote, our approach is consistent, engaged, and collaborative — designed to feel like an extension of your existing team.
A smarter financial approach
We charge a fair and reasonable service loading fee—because quality, consistency, and experience matter.
But unlike traditional agency models:
No inflated, short-term placement costs
No compromise on educator quality
No disconnect from your service philosophy
Instead, you receive reliable, experienced, and invested ECT support—aligned with your service.
Why services choose Wattle & Grove
Strengthen quality while growing sustainably
Meet Educational Leader requirements under Regulation 118
Comply with Regulation 130
Access highly experienced ECTs and leadership support
Reduce unnecessary wage pressure
Ready to strengthen your service?
If you’re looking for a smarter way to meet your ECT requirements—while also strengthening your team, your practice, and your long-term outcomes—we’re ready to support you.
Enquire now to secure your ECT access and tailor a solution to your service.
Or connect with us to discuss how Wattle & Grove can support your next stage of growth.
Let’s
connect!
