Early Years framework
The Early Years framework is a guide for policy and action that is developed from the collaborative report All Children have the Best Possible Start: A Framework for Action. The report was sponsored by the Education Advisory Council and was authored by officers from the Department of Education and Training (DET) and the Department of Health and Community Services.
The report drew on current evidenced-based quality practice, including recommendations of the Organisation for Economic Co-operative Development’s Twelve Nation Early Childhood Education and Care Report [OECD, 2001]. Many possible future strategies were identified in the significant consultations at local level over the previous five years.
In summary, the research into early care and learning of children identifies 0-8 years of age as the period of maximum impact for supporting children to reach their full potential (Fleer 2002). Brain research emphasises these critical periods of development and the cost effectiveness of meeting needs earlier rather than remediation later (McCain & Mustard 1999).
Recommendations
In 2004 the Ministers for Health and Community Services and Employment, Education and Training signed to the following recommendations form the report:
| R 1.1 | Endorsement of the Framework as a guide for policy and action |
| R 1.2 | Action be guided by Framework over minimum five years |
| R 1.3 | Framework be further developed for a whole of Government approach |
| R 2.1 | Action plans jointly developed |
| R 3.1 | Standing Ministerial Committee be established |
| R 3.2 | Education Advisory Council and Family and Community Services Advisory Council monitor and act as community information conduit |
| R 3.3 | Both Departments’ Executives report quarterly and jointly to Ministers on implementation. |
Principles and beliefs
The Framework is based on the following agreed principles and beliefs:
- Early years are critical in establishing a person’s self esteem, resilience, healthy growth and capacity to learn.
- Families are the most important people in children’s lives. Supporting and involving families is the best way of supporting and protecting children.
- Child and family support is enhanced when services are designed to support needs in an integrated way. Strong and effective partnerships among families, service providers, community members and children are needed to achieve this.
- Services and programs that are inclusive and embrace diversity, including ability, culture, linguistic, socioeconomic and geographic contexts, provide good outcomes for children.
- Programs for children and families focusing on early health, care, development and learning interventions, significantly improve children’s educational and life outcomes.
- The broader community, including levels of employment and crime, housing standards and access to services, has a considerable influence on the development of children.
Six key areas
The Framework for Action is organised by the following six key areas
Focus on families and communities
- Active involvement with service providers
- Child and family friendly environments
- Family friendly work policies and practices
- All families supported in their parenting roles
A systemic and coordinated approach
- Whole of government framework
- Increased community involvement in local planning
- Coordinated policies and legislation
Research and evaluation
- Evidence based research to inform policy and action
- Family, community and service provider participation
- Quality research and data collection to inform program development and reporting at all levels
Quality services and programs
- Quality approaches to enhance children’s care, development and learning
- Access to universal, targeted, and early intervention programs
- Culture of continuous improvement within services and programs
Quality workforce
- Skilled and knowledgeable staff
- Flexible and valued career pathways
- Adequate support and professional development to inform best practice
- NT Workforce reflecting diversity of population
Resourcing and infrastructure
- Appropriate levels of resources and effective use
- Greater pool of resources
- Clear, consistent strategies for allocating resources based on local needs and contexts
Responsibilities
DET’s responsibilities
DET’s core responsibilities under the current action plan for 2005 – 2008 include:
Systemic and coordinated approach
- Age of Entry Trial: A clear and consistent policy for eligibility to enrol in preschool and transition programs will be achieved in the context of the National Common School Starting Age Project. Visit www.ageofentry.nt.gov.au for more information.
Quality services and programs
- Strong Beginnings Pilot and Implementation. Strong Beginnings is an explicit guide to quality practice in the early years. This version will focus on the 3-5 year old range (generally preschool and transition). The guide will be available as web based, CD ROM and hard copy.
- Professional Development programs include the centralised modules designed to implement Strong Beginnings, some online courses particularly for assessment and moderation, and individual or school based on site delivery.
Families and communities
- Investigate home-visiting and early intervention parenting support programs. Currently a partnership exists with Charles Darwin University on “Let’s Start”, a parenting program. Officers have also been trained in Positive Parenting Program for the more universal approaches. Officers will soon be included in training for “Families and Schools Together” which offers an intensive and targeted program for families identified as “at risk”.
Research and evaluation
- Support Australian Early Development Index
- Assessment of Student Competencies which is conducted in Transition to identify, monitor and track for children at risk of not succeed in the first year of compulsory (and more formal) school.
- Monitoring and application of National research
Shared responsibilities
DET’s shared responsibilities with other agencies under the current action plan for 2005 - 2008 include:
Quality workforce
- Early Childhood Workforce Advisory Group
Quality services and programs
- Mobile Early Childhood Services (funded by Australian Government through the Department of Family and Community Services)
- Central Australian Integrated Services, co-located Pre-Schools and Child Care Centres
- Guide to quality practice for 0-3 year olds
Focus on families
- Support parenting programs in schools