ACECQA updates on Approved Learning Frameworks project as final stage draws to a close

The Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) has provided an update on progress of the Approved Learning Frameworks (ALF) review initiative that was originally commissioned by the Education Council in late 2020 and which is due to complete this year. 

The final stage of the review, which commenced in January 2022, involved the piloting of feedback gathered from key stakeholders across a selection of sixteen early childhood education and care (ECEC) services across Australia. 

The feedback was consolidated into a set of twenty potential amendments that are intended to strengthen the connection between the ALFs and National Quality Standard in areas such as transitions, sustainability, theoretical approaches, critical reflection, the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of being, knowing and doing, and inclusion.

The six-week pilot saw a national consortium, led by a partnership between Macquarie University, Queensland University of Technology and Edith Cowan University, gathering weekly feedback from all 16 pilot sites, in particular on the clarity, useability and efficacy of the potential updates.

The pilot sites covered a broad range of early childhood education and care services, including outside school hours care settings across all states and territories. In addition, services in urban, regional, and remote areas took part in the pilot, with inclusion of services in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and services that work with children with additional needs.

The services participating were:

1. AIS Caretaker’s Cottage Child Care Centre, ACT
2. Mia Mia Child and Family Study Centre, NSW
3. Ross Circuit Preschool, NSW 
4. Goodstart Early Learning Child Care Centre Narwee, NSW
5. Yulara Child Care Centre, NT
6. Wynnum Family Day Care & Education Service, QLD
7. Coolum OSHC & Vacation Care, QLD
8. Happy Valley OSHC, QLD
9. Injilinji C&K preschool and Kindergarten, QLD
10. Nido Early School Kensington Park, SA
11. Central Metro Family Day Care Scheme, SA
12. Austins Ferry Primary School, TAS
13. Montagu Bay OSHC, TAS
14. Isabel Henderson Kindergarten, VIC
15. Leopold World of Learning, VIC
16. Christ Church Grammar School, WA

ACECQA specifically called out the contribution from these services noting that it “acknowledges the efforts of those who remained so committed to this important work while managing the impact of ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks, and for some, recent flooding events.”

The ALF update will now proceed to a period of review as the pilot feedback is processed and used to inform recommendations for consideration by Education Ministers. 

It is expected this will occur in the second half of 2022 with advice about the commencement of any changes to the ALFs will be provided in advance, to allow adequate lead time to support successful implementation. 

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