Welcome to Early Childhood Education and Care! In Australia, we use a special document s called the Early Years Learning Framework for Australia (EYLF) and you need to learn about it. It’s kind of like a guidebook for early childhood educators (like you!) to help you provide the best possible experience for young children from birth up to eight years old.

Here’s a breakdown of some key points to remember as a newcomer:

The Big Picture

• The EYLF emphasises three main things for young learners: Belonging, Being & Becoming. There are 3 big ideas. This means creating a safe and inclusive environment where children feel like they fit in, can explore who they are, and develop their skills and knowledge.
• The framework outlines five Learning Outcomes that all children should develop over time. These cover areas like communication, social skills, problem-solving, and physical development. You will need to know both learning outcomes and sub-outcomes (or components of learning).

What You’ll Do

• You’ll help children learn through play and exploration. This means setting up activities and environments that spark their curiosity and allow them to learn at their own pace. EYLF will guide you in understanding play and learning, keep this book as your table book.
• The EYLF talks about building strong relationships with the children and their families. This means getting to know each child’s strengths, interests, and background, and working collaboratively with parents and carers.
• The framework also highlights the importance of respecting diversity and incorporating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives into your teaching.

Getting Started

Don’t worry, you don’t need to memorise the entire document! But, it’s a good resource to keep handy as you gain experience. Here are some tips from me:

• Focus on the Learning Outcomes – Get familiar with these five areas and how you can help children develop in each one through your activities.
• Play is Powerful! – Remember that play is the most important way young children learn. Read about play-based learning and the intentionality principle. This will get you to get started in the Australian ECE context.
• Build Relationships – Take time to get to know each child and their family. This will help you tailor your approach and create a positive learning environment.

For further exploration:

The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) website that published this document has many resources for early childhood educators, including practical tips and examples: https://www.acecqa.gov.au/.