On Saturday 1st of July, Jo and and I held a training for our staff team presenting the changes to our recently updated Early Years Learning Framework: Belonging, Being and Becoming. The new version brings contemporary practice introducing three key focus areas comprising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, Sustainability, and Well-being. This brings the document inline with the Australian Curriculum (school curriculum) and My Time Our Place (the Out of School Hours Care learning Framework) as well as a better connection with the National Quality Standards. Emphasis is placed on children becoming successful life long learners, active and informed citizens, and better recognises and celebrates the diversity of children, families and communities. 

Here is a link for the short video we played with some important information regarding the changes.

https://levo-4.wistia.com/medias/2aq7q29vcp. (Source: https://www.acecqa.gov.au/ )

And a link for the updated version of the Framework for those who are interested.

https://www.acecqa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-01/EYLF-2022-V2.0.pdf

During our session we explored key changes to the five Learning Outcomes, and the Principles and Practices. Staff workshopped a range of questions, crafted from my own wonderings during two trainings I attended through Gowrie SA and Semann & Slattery, key leaders in training in the Early Childhood Profession. 

 There was a buzz in the air as staff worked in their teams and then in groups of three to answer the questions. Rigorous discussion was had during sharing time, with staff reflecting on what we already do to meet these outcomes and what perhaps we could do next. 

To finish off we reviewed our current documentation and incorporated key points for example 

• Story the learning 
• The main requirements of us is that we have an educational program and that we track children’s learning and development to inform planning. 
• We have our own documentation expectations to meet and we can be creative within that
• Highlight childrens’ deep learning rather than surface level 
• Quality versus quantity 
• Look for the ‘micro moments’, rather than the ‘wow’ moments
• Not everything has to be documented, it is important to be in the moment, WITH children 
• Share the learning with children and their families 

 The icing on the cake was the shoulder masseuse, the fun icebreaker activity where we learnt some interesting facts about our colleagues, and Crisy’s amazing breakfast spread that topped the morning right off! It was a fantastic session and I am so proud of our team, their dedication and their effort during their well earned time off. 

 Following on from the training we set the staff a challenge to present their new knowledge and practice to our greater community via Facebook posts which are also emailed out to our families, so do keep an eye out for more information upcoming. 

If you’ve read this far and have further interest, please don’t hesitate to have a conversation with any of our staff team, or myself.

For further reading take a look at the link provided to the new Framework, some points of interest may include: 

Early Childhood Pedagogy, page 12 and 13

The Principles, page 14

The Practices, page 20

The EYLF planning cycle, page 27

The Learning Outcomes, commencing page 30

The Glossary, page 64

References, page 70

For reference:

Australian Government Department of Education [AGDE] (2022). Belonging, Being and Becoming: The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia (V2.0). 

Hayley Sidelik

Educational Leader MICCC