Early childhood education
Alternative labels
Early years learning framework
Early learning
Early education
Report
NQF Snapshot Q2 2025
The quarterly snapshot is the 50th national report on children’s education and care services operating under Australia's National Quality Framework. It provides analysis and information on the profile of the sector and the quality ratings of services against the National Quality Standard. The report is accompanied by an interactive online version of the snapshot.
Briefing paper
Early Childhood Education and Care (Strengthening Regulation of Early Education) Bill 2025: bill digest
The Early Childhood Education and Care (Strengthening Regulation of Early Education) Bill 2025 amends the A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999 to implement measures aimed at improving quality and safety in the early childhood education and care sector. This paper sets out the purpose of the Bill, the background, government responsibilities, key...
Evaluation
Final report: SNAICC early years support evaluation
This report presents the findings of an independent evaluation of SNAICC Early Years Support, conducted over its pilot phase from 2022 to 2024. The program supports and represents Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander early years services. The evaluation highlights the program's development, emerging impact and the conditions that support its success and future potential.
Guide
Early numbers, big ideas: fostering number sense in young children
The paper underlines the importance of developing early number sense in children, with advice and exercises for both parents and teachers. Children's trajectories in mathematics are shaped early and the development of early number sense will reap benefits in later schooling and adult life.
Briefing paper
Unequal from the start: the achievement gap and the early years – policy brief
This policy brief outlines the study Unequal from the start: the achievement gap and the early years. The research examined early cognitive and developmental differences among children aged from birth to five years. The findings underscore the need for policy changes to address educational inequity, and to overcome the effects of disadvantage before they become...