The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia, Belonging, Being and Becoming

Trial of the EYLF was completed in April 2009.  The feedback from the trials and the online forum for practitioners informed the writing of a final draft of the EYLF which was launched 3 July 2009 in Melbourne by Minister Kate Ellis, Minister for Early Childhood Education and Child Care and attended by the Premier John Brumby and Maxine Morand, Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development.

The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia, Belonging, Being and Becoming can be accessed at: www.deewr.gov.au/EarlyChildhood/Policy_Agenda/Quality/Pages/EarlyYearsLearningFramework.aspx

National Curriculum

The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) replaced the National Curriculum Board June 2009. The establishment of the ACARA will enable the realisation of key commitments in the Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals for Young Australians - 5 December 2008.

The Authority is responsible for:

• A national curriculum from Kindergarten to Year 12 in specified learning areas.
• A national assessment program aligned to the national curriculum that measures students’ progress.
• A national data collection and reporting program that supports:
  • analysis, evaluation, research and resource allocation; and 
  • accountability and reporting on schools and broader national achievement.

The Shape of the Australian Curriculum paper published by the ACARA in May 2009 includes the statement in the Principles and Specifications for development (Page 4) that “the curriculum should connect and build on the early years learning framework …”

The paper can be accessed at: www.acara.edu.au/verve/_resources/Shape_of_the_Australian_Curriculum.pdf

The Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals for Young Australians can be accessed at: www.mceecdya.edu.au/mceecdya/melbourne_declaration,25979.html