The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) Baseline Study

What is the aim of the EYLF Baseline Study?
The aim of this study is to gather data on the involvement and engagement of early childhood educators with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF).

Who is conducting the study?
The Faculty of Education at Monash University has been contracted by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) to undertake the study.

How did we obtain your contact details?
Your service’s contact details were supplied to us by DEEWR who asked us to contact you directly on their behalf for the purposes of this survey. Your service has been selected at random from a list of early childhood education and care (ECEC) services in Australia.

What is the EYLF?
The EYLF is a national framework which guides early childhood educators in developing quality early childhood programs. It describes the principles, practice and outcomes essential to support and enhance young children’s learning from birth to five years of age, as well as their transition to school.  The Framework has a strong emphasis on play-based learning as play is the best vehicle for young children’s learning and for providing the most appropriate stimulus for brain development. The Framework also recognises the importance of communication and language (including early literacy and numeracy) and social and emotional development. For more information about the EYLF itself, DEEWR provides an overview here.

Why is it important for me to participate in this study?
The study is the first phase of an evaluation of the EYLF. The information collected during the study will assist in an ongoing assessment of the framework and consideration of ways to support its use. It is the first study in Australia to collect nationally consistent quantitative data on the EYLF.

Who should complete the survey?
A person in your organisation who has direct involvement with early childhood education and care should complete the survey. Examples of people who should complete are:
- director/coordinator/teacher-in-charge of early childhood education and care
- early childhood education and care curriculum coordinator
- group leader/kindergarten or preschool teacher.

What does the study involve?
The study involves educators within scope completing an online or paper-based survey.

How can I obtain a paper-based survey form?
Please contact Norma Coull via email (norma.coull@monash.edu) or telephone (03 9905 9157) to obtain a paper-based survey. Alternatively, you can download a copy from the link below.

How much time will it take to complete the survey?
The survey will take you approximately 20 minutes to complete.

I was part of the way through the survey and it crashed, what should I do?
The problem may be related to your internet connection or the browser that you are using.
Please re-start the survey using the link we provided to you in the email.
This will take you back to the point  where you were previously.
The survey software remembers most of the answers that you have already provided and so you do not have to provide these answers again.
If the problem persists then please get in touch with us to receive a paper copy of the survey.

Who will benefit from the study?
The outcomes of the study will benefit children, early childhood educators and carers and providers of professional development to ECEC services.

Do I have to complete the survey if our service uses a state/territory-based curriculum or have little or no knowledge about the EYLF?
Yes. The information you provide will be just as important as that provided by others for the purposes of this study as responses need to be analysed across a range of service characteristics.
The EYLF, which was endorsed on 2 July 2009 by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG), is eventually expected to be adopted by all ECEC services. The documentation relating to the framework has been provided to all services across Australia. Following a period of familiarisation, each service is expected to develop their own strategy to implement the framework, taking their own unique circumstances into consideration.

The information for this study is very similar to that I recently provided/will provide for another study. Do I have to complete this survey as well?
Yes. It is important that all child care services, preschools and kindergartens complete the EYLF Baseline Study survey even if they have completed similar surveys for their own state or territory government, or another agency. This is the only study that collects quantitative information in a nationally consistent manner for the purpose of improving policies that will benefit all ECEC services as we move towards a national framework.

Will my responses to the survey questions affect our services’ eligibility for Commonwealth or state/territory funding?
No. The results of this study will not be used in any way to determine funding.

Will the information I provide remain confidential?
Personal and identifying information that you provide in the survey will remain confidential. No personal information (such as your name or the name of your service) will be revealed in any reports or publications prepared as a result of this study. At the conclusion of the research, all data, including any identifying information, will be returned to DEEWR which has a strict policy on privacy of data. The policy can be viewed at: http://www.deewr.gov.au/pages/privacy.aspx

Our service employs a large number of staff. How can I answer on behalf of all of them?
We are seeking information on the views and experience of an employee from each ECEC service. For the purposes of this study, the views of one individual are taken to be a reasonable representation of the views of all staff in the organisation (particularly if that person has direct or indirect involvement with the daily operations of the service).

Will I be able to see the results of the study?
If you would like to be informed of the aggregate findings from the study, please contact Norma Coull via email: norma.coull@monash.edu) or telephone 03 9905 9157.

Can I withdraw from completing the survey?
The survey is not compulsory; however, you are strongly encouraged to complete it. Please note that you will not be able to withdraw any completed forms once submitted. However, any personal and identifying information that you provide in the survey will remain confidential and no personal information (such as your name or the name of your service) will be revealed in any reports or publications prepared as a result of this study.

Australian Government Statistical Clearing House Approval
This survey has been approved by the Australian Government Statistical Clearing House. The approval number is 02216 -- 01. You may phone the Statistical Clearing House on (02) 6252 5285 to verify the approval number.

Where can I get more information?

If you have any queries, please contact Norma Coull via email (norma.coull@monash.edu) or telephone (03 9905 9157)

To download other documents
Explanatory statement - PDF 75KB
Copy of survey for:
 - New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory - PDF 348KB
 - Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania - PDF 350 KB
 - Victoria and South Australia - PDF 349 KB