The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) at Only About Children

What is the Early Years Learning Framework and what does it mean for my child?

You may hear the term Early Years Learning Framework, or EYLF, being used by Only About Children and other childcare providers, or in documentation relating to your child’s learning program. The EYLF is a national curriculum framework covering birth to five years and has been developed to assist educators to provide young children with opportunities to maximise their potential and develop a foundation for future success in learning.

What is the purpose of the Early Year’s Learning Framework?

The EYLF is a key component of the National Quality Framework (NQF) for early childhood education and care which is designed to encourage continuous improvement of education and care services across Australia. The EYLF is designed to ensure quality and consistency in the delivery of early childhood education programs across all early childhood settings. The Framework draws on conclusive international evidence that early childhood is a vital period in children’s learning and development.

The EYLF has a specific emphasis on play-based learning and recognises the importance of communication and language (including early literacy and numeracy) and social and emotional development.

What are the key elements of the Early Years Learning Framework?

The EYLF describes childhood as a time of belonging, being and becoming:

• Belonging is the basis for living a fulfilling life. Children feel they belong because of the relationships they have with their family, community, culture and place.
• Being is about living here and now. Childhood is a special time in life and children need time to just ‘be’ – time to play, try new things and have fun.
• Becoming is about the learning and development that young children experience. Children start to form their sense of identity from an early age, which shapes the type of adult they will become.

How is the Early Years Learning Framework applied at Only About Children?

The Grow Curriculum is Only About Children’s unique educational framework and the basis for essential early years learning and development.  At the heart of The Grow Curriculum is “Belonging, Being and Becoming”, the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF).  The EYLF informs the principles and practices that underpin The Grow Curriculum and supports educators to develop a curriculum responsive to children’s ideas, interests, strengths and abilities.

How does the Early Years Learning Framework and the Grow Curriculum work together?

The EYLF informs the principles, practices essential to the Grow Curriculum and guides educators to extend and enrich children’s learning across five overall learning outcomes:

1. Children have a strong sense of identity.
2. Children are connected with and contribute to their world.
3. Children have a strong sense of wellbeing.
4. Children are confident and involved learners.
5. Children are effective communicators.

Having an understanding of how the EYLF and Grow Curriculum work together to support and foster your child’s learning helps to strengthen the partnership between home and campus, bringing positive outcomes for children, families and educators alike.

As always, the educators at your child’s campus are happy to answer your questions about the EYLF and the Grow Curriculum.

What do you learn in an early childhood education setting?

At Only About Children, a focus on left brain logic and right brain creativity is at the heart of our approach to early learning and we go beyond education to encompass the social development, health & wellbeing of every child in our care.

We believe children learn best through play, so learning is woven into every experience, through both structured and unstructured learning. With our play-based approach to learning, every day includes consistent learning opportunities – and is fun at the same time. You can read more about our unique approach to early learning here.

What does the 2023 updated version of the Early Years Learning Framework mean?

Following a process to refresh the national frameworks, an updated version of the EYLF was released in early 2023.  In reflecting on the EYLF V2.0 we are confident that the new and amended aspects are strongly aligned and consistent with the Grow Curriculum.  You can familiarise yourself with the new approved learning frameworks here.

Where are Only About Children’s campuses?

With over a decade of experience in early childhood education, Only About Children operates over 75 early learning and kindergarten/preschool campuses throughout Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Book a tour of your local Only About Children campus and discover our unique approach to early learning, social development, health and wellbeing. We have limited places available for 2023.