Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework?
- How does the Victorian Framework relate to the national Early Years Learning Framework?
- What are learning outcomes?
- Is my child still going to have time to play, have fun and enjoy learning?
- Why are the early years so important and when does learning start?
- How would people working with children birth to 8 use the Victorian Framework?
What is the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework?
The Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (the Victorian Framework) is a guide designed to support and strengthen children’s learning and development from birth to eight years.
The Framework:
- identifies the key elements of children’s learning and development;
- outlines principles to promote professional practice and partnerships between families and early years professionals; and
- supports transitions between early years services with particular focus on transition to school.
How does the Victorian Framework relate to the national Early Years Learning Framework?
The Victorian Framework has been designed with the Victorian service system in mind. The Victorian Framework builds continuity between the first years of schooling and the learning and development that precedes these years. It links the learning outcomes and pedagogy from the national Early Years Learning Framework for children aged birth to five with the learning and teaching in the first stages of the Victorian school curriculum – the Victorian Essential Learning Standards (VELS) from ages five to eight years.
What are learning outcomes?
Learning outcomes describe the knowledge, skills and values that result from engagement in a learning experience.
The Victorian Framework uses five outcomes to describe the key elements of children’s learning and development. These are:
- Children have a strong sense of identity - IDENTITY
- Children are connected to and contribute to their world - COMMUNITY
- Children have a strong sense of wellbeing - WELLBEING
- Children are confident and involved learners - LEARNING
- Children are effective communicators - COMMUNICATION
The Victorian Framework uses these outcomes to provide a coherent description of children’s development from birth to eight years. These can be used by professionals and parents to guide their understanding of children’s learning and development. This approach is consistent with both the national Early Years Learning Framework and that adopted in the Victorian Essential Learning Standards (VELS).
Is my child still going to have time to play, have fun and enjoy learning?
The Victorian Framework acknowledges that play is crucial for children’s development. Early childhood professionals recognise that learning is an active process that must involve children’s engagement. Play is essential for its ability to stimulate and integrate a wide range of children’s intellectual, physical, social and creative abilities. At the same time, early childhood professionals understand the power and importance of interventions to support learning and development.
Why are the early years so important and when does learning start?
Birth to eight years is the internationally recognised period of early childhood development. The first eight years of life are a critical time for learning and development, when children acquire essential foundation skills and knowledge and when brain development is at its peak. Children within this age range are characteristically different from children at older ages.
Children learn actively from birth. Infants are motivated to learn, and play is crucial for their development. Babies’ and toddlers’ learning is strongly linked to their physical health and growth, as well as language and cognitive development.
Early childhood professionals recognise that a gradual shift in emphasis should
occur over the first eight years of a child’s life, along a continuum from free play to more structured learning in formal settings. These strategies are supported by sustained and shared interactions with children through play to more focused experiential learning with lifelong benefits
By the time they enter school, children have already developed many language and thinking skills; they have learned to build and maintain relationships; and have established the foundations of their physical, social and emotional characteristics.
How would people working with children birth to 8 use the Victorian Framework?
The Victorian Framework will guide and strengthen children’s learning and development from birth to age 8. It guides partnerships between families and everyone who works with children. It also supports children’s transitions, including moving to school.
