Early Years Learning Framework Explained

The Early Years Learning Framework (commonly known as EYLF),^[1] together with the National Quality Standard (or NQS),^[2] forms the policies around early childhood education in Australia.

In January 2023 the Australian Education ministers approved proposed changes and endorsed the use of Version 2 of the EYLF under the National Quality Framework.^[3] During 2023 early childhood providers and services can continue to use Version 1 of the EYLF while integrating changes to meet the requirements of Version 2. The original version 1 will be revoked from 2024.^[4]

Development of EYLF

The EYLF has been developed collaboratively by the Australian and State and Territory Governments with substantial input from the early childhood sector and early childhood academics. The Framework has incorporated feedback from an extensive consultation process, including two national symposiums, national public consultation forums, focus groups, an online forum and case-study trials.

The Early Years Learning Framework Professional Learning Program (EYLF PLP), was developed for the Australian Government by Early Childhood Australia in 2009, to provide ongoing professional support to services as they engage in the EYLF implementation process. The program was incorporated into the National Quality Standard Professional Learning Program (NQS PLP). The NQS PLP has all the features of the EYLF PLP, along with a new focus to assist services to meet the National Quality Standard.

The Victorian Department of Education and Training adapted the EYLF and in 2016 published the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF).^[5] The VEYLDF has been implemented across Victoria providing a framework for working with children from birth to eight years of age, which extends beyond the EYLF and covers the first years of primary school. While the EYLF moved to Version 2 in January 2023 the VEYLDF has no changes and remains in its original form.

In April 2021 the Education Ministers of Australia announced a review and update of the EYLF.^[6] The three-phase process concluded in late 2022, with findings and feedback from a range of pilots to inform recommendations for consideration by Education Ministers.

Description

The EYLF consists of three parts, that outline the environment that educators in Australia should shape around children:

1. Principles, the first part, are goals for the care, e.g. "Secure, respectful and reciprocal relationships";
2. Practices are guidelines for how to achieve the goals set out in the principles, the document EYLF document includes several hands-on examples;
3. Outcomes is a list of 5 overall goals, each with 2-5 sub-goals. Each of those sub-goals has a list of things that the child could have done to meet the overall goal, serving as an easy reference for teachers (see example structure below):

• Learning Outcome 1: Children have a strong sense of identity

• Learning Outcome 2: Children are connected with and contribute to their world

• Learning Outcome 3: Children have a strong sense of wellbeing

• Learning Outcome 4: Children are confident and involved learners

• Learning Outcome 5: Children are effective communicators

See also

• Te Whāriki - New Zealand Equivalent of EYLF
• Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF)

External links

• Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
• Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority

References

1. Web site: 10 August 2009 . Belonging, being and becoming: the early years learning framework for Australia . 11 October 2022 . Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority . Australian Government Department of Education and Training.
2. Web site: The National Quality Standard . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110311015259/http://www.deewr.gov.au/Earlychildhood/Policy_agenda/quality/documents/nqstandardchildedu.pdf . 11 March 2011 . 11 April 2012 . Council of Australian Governments.
3. Web site: [e-mail] . 2023-01-30 . Key updates in the Approved Learning Frameworks Version 2.0 . 2023-04-17 . www.esb.sa.gov.au . en.
4. Web site: 2023-01-19 . Education Ministers approve updates to national approved learning frameworks . 2023-04-17 . ACECQA . en.
5. Web site: Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework: For all children from birth to eight years . Department of Education and Training (Victoria) . State of Victoria (Department of Education and Training) . 20 October 2022.
6. Web site: Approved Learning Framework Update . Macquarie University . 20 October 2022.