The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia and existing measures of child outcomes: Is there a relationship?

Abstract

The mandated Early Years Learning Framework for Australia (EYLF) has guided early childhood education and care (ECEC) since 2009. The EYLF is intended to support improved learning and development outcomes for all children within a nationally consistent regulatory system. Since the implementation of the EYLF, the quality ratings of ECEC services have improved in every Australian jurisdiction. However, the absence of detailed child ECEC participation data has been an obstacle to assessing the impact of ECEC service level improvements on child learning outcomes. It is therefore reasonable to ask whether the implementation of the EYLF is associated with changes in child outcomes at a population ..