The EYLF otherwise known as the Early Years Learning Framework is part of the Council of Australian Government’s reform agenda for Early childhood education. In large part it is built on the recognition that children start learning from birth and even pre-birth and that providing children with the right environment, tools, guidance and methods of learning can actually help to increase their ability to learn throughout their lives.
The EYLF‘s aim is laying a firm foundation for future learning through learning and development that is planned around each individual child’s specific needs and interests. The framework is designed to accomplish this goal while at the same time providing a universal set of standards to help improve the quality and consistency in the early years sector.
This is not a program to be followed rigorously but, rather a set of principles that are used to help ensure and stimulate every child’s ability to learn.
The EYLF is based on the Concept of Being, Belonging and Becoming:
Being – simply means letting each child be who they are and letting children be children giving them the sense that they are free to explore the world around them.
Belonging – Children learn best when they feel as though they belong to their families, to their communities and to the world at large. By helping a child increase his sense of belonging you can help provide a safe and comfortable environment in which a child can learn.
Becoming – Simply means that a child continues to grow by experiencing new things. It is simply the acceptance that as a child learns and grows he is constantly changing.
What has changed?
There is now a stronger connection between the frameworks and the National Quality Standard in areas such as:
transitions, sustainability, theoretical approaches, critical reflection, the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of being, knowing and doing, and inclusion. There is an addition of three new principles, greater clarification around the planning cycle & its terminology, along with some wonderful new terminology such as funds of knowledge, relational pedagogy, temporal environments… which can all be found in the glossary… a perfect starting point!
I think my favourite change is Outcome 3 with increased focus on mental wellbeing & personal safety. It recognises the importance of increased physical activity for overall health & wellbeing, emphasising this as a critical role in their learning & development. It now recognises the importance for children to learn about & take responsibility for physical, emotional & mental wellbeing, focusing on personal safety, which is in line with Child Safe Standards.
You can access the Child Safe Standards here: https://ocg.nsw.gov.au/child-safe-scheme/implementing-child-safe-standards
If you would like further information about the EYLF v2 and changes please feel free to contact me to purchase my access anytime webinar – kirsty@earlyyearstraining.com.au