[Gentle music]
[On-screen text: Victorian Early Years Learning and Development
Framework]
Professor Jane Page: Hello, I’m Professor Jane Page from the REEaCh Centre at the Faculty of Education, University of Melbourne, and it’s my great pleasure to share with you the updated Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework.
The updated VEYLDF was first developed in 2009 and revised in 2016 as part of the Victorian government’s commitment to giving young children the best start in life.
Across all versions of the VEYLDF, three key principles remain central, and these principles speak to the unique significance of the early years for children’s learning and development now and in the future.
[On-screen text: Key VEYLDF Principles:
- Early years are a critical period of rapid brain development
- Children are capable and active participants in their world
- Teachers and educators play a vital role in supporting children to learn and thrive]
Professor Jane Page: First, it outlines that the early years are a critical period of rapid brain development when the foundations of young children’s learning, safety, and wellbeing are formed. It highlights that warm, secure, and responsive relationships with adults and rich play-based learning experiences are vital to support children to thrive.
Second, it positions young children as capable, active participants in their world. It emphasises that high expectations, child-led learning, and responsive teaching empowers children to express themselves, make decisions, and exercise their rights.
Third, it confirms that teachers and educators play a vital role in supporting children to learn and thrive through language-rich, culturally responsive, and intentional play-based experiences. By building strong partnerships with families and other professionals, educators and teachers support children to become confident learners, strong in identity, connected to their communities, and prepared for lifelong learning.
The updated VEYLDF has been shaped through the experiences and insights of educators, teachers, and academics across the sector alongside current research. As a result, it is practical, relevant, and grounded in evidence. It captures the practices and processes proven to advance young children’s learning and development, and supports professionals to reflect on and strengthen their everyday practice.
[On-screen text: Features that have remained in the updated VEYLDF:
- The birth to 8 focus
- The vision
- The 5 learning and development outcomes for children
- 7 practice principles]
Professor Jane Page: There are many features that have remained in the updated VEYLDF. These include the birth to eight focus, the vision, the five learning and development outcomes for children, and the seven practice principles.
[On-screen text: Changes to the updated VEYLDF include:
- Further embedding of First Nations perspectives and the Cultural Knowledge Stories
- Strengthened focus on child safety and wellbeing
- Integrated teaching and learning approaches highlights the importance of intentional teaching]
Professor Jane Page: There are three main changes that have been embedded in the updated VEYLDF. First, the further embedding of First Nations perspectives and pedagogy alongside Western pedagogy, and of cultural knowledge stories by Aunty Sue Atkinson, Annette Sax, and Robert Barnett. Second, the strength and focus on child safety and wellbeing.
And third, the previous practice principle integrated teaching and learning approaches is now positioned alongside the early years planning cycle to highlight the importance of intentional teaching and what it looks like in practice.
In addition to these three main changes, the updated VEYLDF provides clear examples under each practice principle of what educators and teachers will do, see, and reflect on to support its implementation. And the outcome descriptors have been updated to align with the Early Years Learning Framework version 2.0 and the Victorian Curriculum F–10 version 2.0 to support continuity of learning. The updated VEYLDF also aligns with the tools and resources already used across the Victorian education sector.
[On-screen text: Existing tools and resources:
- Victorian Kindergarten Teaching Excellence Approach
- Victorian Kindergarten Learning Progressions
- Early Years Assessment and Learning Tool (EYALT)]
Professor Jane Page: Professional learning modules and discipline-specific resources provided under the Victorian Kindergarten Teaching Excellence Approach, for example, strengthen professional knowledge of intentional teaching, and support practice across key learning areas, including literacy, executive function, numeracy, physical and sensory development, and science.
In addition, the Victorian kindergarten learning progressions and the Early Years Assessment and Learning Tool connect with the five VEYLDF outcomes and assist teachers and educators to build rich evidence of children’s learning, identity, and development over time.
Overall, the updated VEYLDF is an essential resource that guides thinking and practice. It supports early childhood professionals to draw on their knowledge, judgment, and decision-making to create safe, inclusive, culturally responsive programs for young children.
For you as leaders, the updated VEYLDF provides a clear framework to guide team practice, support, reflective dialogue, and strengthen consistent high quality pedagogy across your services.
You play a central role in supporting staff to engage with the updated framework by creating structured opportunities to unpack the changes, reflect on practice, and to connect the VEYLDF to your services’ priorities and planning.
This may include dedicating time and team meetings to discuss the VEYLDF, allocating time for professional learning, encouraging participation in networks and forums, and building awareness with families.
There is an 18-month implementation period, and all funded three- and four-year-old kindergarten programs will be required to use the updated VEYLDF by January 2028.
[On-screen text: Next Steps:
- Download a copy of the updated VEYLDF
- Familiarise yourself with the changes
- Discuss the VEYLDF with your team
- Begin planning for its implementation]
Professor Jane Page: So download a copy, familiarise yourself with the changes, discuss a VEYLDF with your team, and begin planning for its implementation. Together, we can build strong foundations for children’s learning throughout life.
[Gentle music]
[On-screen text:
The Education State
Victoria State Government Logo
Department of Education
vic.gov.au/education]
[End of transcript]
Updated