Input is needed as ACER develops the new Preschool Outcomes Measure

The Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) is developing an innovative national tool to assess preschool children’s learning in areas such as everyday problem-solving and language, and needs the assistance of the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector to progress this work. 

What is the Preschool Outcomes Measure? 

The new tool — known as the Preschool Outcomes Measure — will provide a research-based and freely available way for teachers and educators to understand and support children’s learning in play-based programs.

First announced in September 2023, the Preschool Outcomes Measure is a key reform being jointly progressed by the Australian, state and territory governments and will aid early childhood teachers and educators to monitor and report on the learning and development of preschool aged children across Australia.  

It will be developed and trialled nationally to help meet the ongoing developmental and educational needs of children in their year before school and will assist early childhood teachers and educators to optimise learning within their services by:    

• enhancing the teaching experience and supporting them to meet requirements under the National Law to assess and document children’s learning;  
• minimising workload by streamlining existing processes;  
• understand a child’s strengths and capabilities; and,  
• plan for suitable next steps in children’s learning and development.  

The trial will focus on two age-appropriate, nationally agreed learning progression domains: executive function, a child’s ability to plan and remember instructions, and oral language and literacy, a child’s ability to communicate and create through language.

These two domains have been selected as they are foundational skills that support children to thrive in all areas of their lives. The Preschool Outcomes Measure will be applied through play-based learning, complementing the everyday practices of educators and teachers when observing children’s learning and development.

Participation in the Preschool Outcomes Measure trial will not be mandated and will be entirely at the discretion of individual ECEC service providers. 

ACER is developing the tool in partnership with Goodstart Early Learning and Ninti One.

How can you support?

ACER is seeking input from educators, parents, sector leaders and the broader community to participate in a national consultation to gather feedback to help design the tool.

The national consultation is being conducted through a survey.

If you would like more information about the Preschool Outcomes Measure please visit the Department of Education website, ACER website or email the ACER project team at [email protected] 

To receive updates from ACER about the project, subscribe to the Preschool Outcomes Measure Update.