External resources
The early childhood years are an important period in children's learning and development. The department supports teachers by providing them with professional learning opportunities and resources to support their practices.
Onsite support
P-2 Initiatives officers are based at school services offices across the state to support preschools.
Social media
Early learning administer a Yammer group - NSW DOE Preschools and Early Intervention Classes (staff only)
Early Learning and Schools Microsoft Teams - link available in Yammer group above.
- newsletters
- communities of practice
- professional learning
Early Years Learning Framework
The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) is an approved curriculum framework designed to support and promote children's learning in all early childhood services, including the department's 100 preschools.
All schools with preschools have packs containing the following documents.
- Belonging, being and becoming: Early Years Learning Framework for Australia
- Educator's guide to the Early Years Learning Framework
- Learning Framework in Action - stories and models for practice
- Belonging, being and becoming: the Early Years Framework for Australia - information for families. This document is available in 20 translated languages.
Early Learning matters podcasts support department preschools by unpacking the Early Years learning framework.
Illustrations of practice
Our department preschools implement educational programs using the guiding principles and practices from the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF). They also use the National Quality Standard (NQS) as a guide to informing quality pedagogy and practice in all seven quality areas.
A selection of innovative illustrations of practice can be viewed.
John Brotchie Nursery School - Bush school: learning in the outdoors. John Brotchie implements an outdoor education program based on the European forest school approach. The bush school program at John Brotchie enhances their preschool educational program and brings alive the principles and practices of the EYLF.
Lansvale Public School Preschool - Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL). Lansvale preschool shares their journey in the implementation of their PBL program in the preschool and how the framework enables children to develop clear understandings of expectations, become responsible for their own behaviour and work together to create a positive, caring and harmonious learning environment.
Leadership conference and inclusion forum
These annual events provide school leaders and educators from the department’s 101 preschools and 47 early intervention classes with opportunities for professional learning, collaboration and networking.
Online resources
The following websites and resources provide additional support for early childhood educators.
Early Childhood Australia (ECA)
ECA is a non-profit organisation that promotes and works towards what is best for young children. ECA's main focus is their advocacy work for young children in the early childhood education and care sector. They also develop professional resources and publications for their members and the broader sector.
Early childhood Australia's code of ethics
Early childhood Australia learning hub
Statement on young children and digital technologies
NSW Early Childhood Environment Education Network (ECEEN)
ECEEN is managed by a voluntary board from diverse backgrounds with a wide range of expertise and experience. The aim of the network is to bring together interested people and organisations to promote the importance of environmentally sustainable education into young children's lives.
The NSW early childhood environmental education network
Mental health and wellbeing
Be You is a mental health and wellbeing initiative for young children. Be You has a range of resources for educators and parents to support the mental health and wellbeing of young children.
The wellbeing framework for schools supports schools to create teaching and learning environments that enable students to be healthy, happy, engaged and successful.
Healthy eating
The following links will assist teaching the importance of healthy eating and an active lifestyle to young children.
- Healthy kids - eat well, get active
- Get up and grow: healthy eating and physical activity for early childhood - resource and ordering guide
- Get up and grow: healthy eating and physical activity for early childhood posters
- Information about Munch and Move training and resources - NSW Department of Health