Parenting is an exciting, if hair-raising, adventure, full of endless questions and decisions, and whether your child is getting the best start in life can be a real challenge.
At its core, this is why the Early Years Learning Framework was created – to provide a set of Principles, Practices and Learning Outcomes that early childhood educators can use to create, implement and measure the learning process.
The 7 Practices of the EYLF are where the theory of the framework’s other elements come together, into the creation of practical teaching strategies and learning experiences.
If understanding them seems like a daunting task, think of them simply as having a better idea of how your child learns and grows. And when you know what these practices are and how they work, you can feel more confident and involved in your child’s development.
About the EYLF
The Early Years Learning Framework is a key component of the National Quality Framework for early childhood education and care. It outlines best practices to support and enhance children’s learning, taking a play-based learning approach to literacy, numeracy, and overall academic pursuits from birth to five years of age.
Discover more about the EYLF Practices with a personal tour
Join our Centre Director for a 30-minute guided tour of Grace Village Early Learning and find out more about your child’s home away from home
What are the Practices of the Early Years Learning Framework?
Based on the latest research and evidence about early childhood learning and development, the 7 Practices are one of the key areas of the EYLF’s implementation under its foundation pillars of Belonging Being and Becoming.
Where the Principles outline to early childhood educators the theory of the EYLF Learning Outcomes to be achieved, the Practices are about seeing the bigger picture of your child’s education and defining the Principles’ implementation.
From creating a playful and collaborative learning environment to celebrating cultural diversity, these practices ensure that children are not just learning but thriving, helping them develop socially, emotionally, and academically, preparing them for future learning, and making sure they are ready for school and beyond.
The 7 EYLF Practices
The Early Years Learning Framework defines the seven practices as:
1. Holistic, integrated, and interconnected approaches
Rather than focusing on just one area of a child’s development, like literacy or numeracy skills, this practice is about looking at how everything is connected. In early learning, holistic approaches like this means considering every part of your child’s development – social, emotional, physical, and cognitive. It’s not just about learning ABCs but also about understanding feelings and making friends.
Where a child may be learning about plants, for example, with our focus on outdoor play here at Grace Village, instead of just reading a book about plant life, we encourage our little villagers to plant seeds, water them, draw pictures of them, and talk about what those plants need to grow.
As a learning outcome, this approach ties together literacy (reading and writing), science (understanding plants), and art (drawing). Because children don’t learn in silos, they take in the world as a whole, and so by connecting different areas of learning, we encourage children to develop a more comprehensive understanding and retain information better.
2. Responsiveness to Children
Responsiveness to children is about educators tuning into each child’s unique needs, interests, and abilities. Supporting individual development needs, leading to safe and nurturing learning environments, where your child feels valued and respected.
By listening to your child’s ideas, observing their play, and engaging in meaningful conversations with them, our educators plan ongoing learning experiences that build on children’s strengths. It’s about having a conversation where the other person really listens to you. It makes you child feel seen and valued, boosting their confidence and engagement
Being responsive to a child’s needs may see an educator notice your child frequently playing with, or talking about dinosaurs, and begin showing them other books, toys and games about dinosaurs. Suddenly, learning becomes an engaging adventure because it’s tailored to what your child loves. Dinosaurs? Oh my! Maybe they’ll set up a dinosaur dig in the sandpit!
3. Play-based learning and intentional teaching
Children learn through play. It is a vital part of their learning and development. The EYLF recognises this by emphasising play-based learning, recognising that play is a natural way for children to explore and understand the world. Through it, they develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, creativity, and cooperation in a way that feels like playtime, not schoolwork.
By adding intentional teaching strategies educators will ask open-ended questions, provide feedback and encouragement, and be deliberate, purposeful, and thoughtful in their decisions and actions to support children’s learning and development.
In practice, your child may be building a tower with blocks. But she’s not just playing; she’s also learning about balance, gravity, and spatial awareness. An intentional teacher might ask questions like, “What do you think will happen if we add another block?” This approach encourages them to think critically and experimentally, blending structured learning and reflective practice with spontaneous play.
4. Learning Environments
The EYLF learning environment is more than just a classroom, it’s a space to inspire curiosity and exploration, a playground for young minds. A well-designed learning environment is safe, stimulating, and adaptable to children’s needs and interests, one that encourages children to discover and engage in their world.
Both the indoor and outdoor learning spaces at Grace Village are carefully designed to this end. From blocks that teach physics without a textbook to water tables explaining fluid dynamics in action to outdoor garden areas where we grow plants, they are spaces conducive to all learning styles, and filled with lots of stimulating materials.
These learning environments play a crucial role in supporting the cognitive development of our little villagers. Within them, our educators create physical spaces that encourage your child to engage in meaningful learning experiences that, to them, feels like a grand adventure!
5. Cultural Responsiveness
Cultural responsiveness is about acknowledging, honouring and respecting the diverse cultural backgrounds of all children and their families in the learning environment. Recognising and celebrating that every child comes with their own unique set of cultural differences, experiences, traditions, and perspectives, and can enrich the learning experience for everyone.
When children see their own cultures represented through stories, crafts and foods, such as those of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, they feel a sense of belonging and pride. It also teaches children of all ages to appreciate and respect diversity, creating a local community with positive attitudes, where everyone’s background is respected and valued.
6. Continuity of Learning and Transitions
This practice is about ensuring smooth transitions between different stages of a child’s learning journey, from home to early learning centres to primary school, helping your child adapt to changes without feeling overwhelmed.
At Grace Village, we’ll work in partnership with families and caregivers to share information, plan strategies, and provide support to help children feel secure, confident, and ready to embrace new learning opportunities. In practice, this may involve your child visiting his new class a few times before the move, so he feels familiar and comfortable. This way, he can continue learning seamlessly, feeling secure and confident.
Transition and change can be stressful, even for grown-up kids. But with the right support and guidance, we’ll help children develop the skills and resilience they need to navigate change and thrive in new environments.
7. Assessment and Evaluation for Learning, Development, and Wellbeing
This practice emphasises assessment and evaluation as a continuous cycle that informs and improves a child’s ongoing learning. Ongoing assessment ensures children receive the support they need to thrive, and helps an educator identify areas where a child might need extra help, or areas where they excel, and then provide a tailored approach to their development.
However, rather than a barrage of tests and grades, our educators will gather information through observations, discussions, and documentation, working towards understanding each child’s strengths and areas where they might need more support. They’ll then use this information to assess the effectiveness of their teaching strategies.
For instance, a child may love storytelling but struggle with fine motor skills. His teacher might note this and provide activities that strengthen his hand muscles, like playing with clay or threading beads, while encouraging his love for stories. When we explore the world through children’s eyes, noting down each discovery about their abilities and interests alongside the challenges they face, it becomes easier for us as educators or parents to guide them more effectively on their learning journey.
How the Practices Support Children’s Learning and Development
Designed to support children’s development in a holistic way, the EYLF Practices are about nurturing every aspect of your child’s growth. In paying attention to children’s physical, personal, social, and emotional wellbeing, we can create learning environments that encourage them to be happy, confident, and well-rounded individuals, ready to take on the world.
And as a parent, by understanding these educational practices, you’re not only helping to bridge the gap between home and school but also ensuring your little one gets the best start in life.
At Grace Village, these practices are at the heart of our mission and purpose. We’re dedicated to creating early childhood education that is supportive and inclusive, providing an engaging environment where every child feels valued and inspired.
By aligning with the EYLF’s practices, we ensure that our child-led approach is responsive to the unique needs of each family. This commitment helps us build a strong foundation for future learning, making sure your little one blossoms in every way possible.
Discover more about the EYLF Practices with a personal tour
Join our Centre Director for a 30-minute guided tour of Grace Village Early Learning and find out more about your child’s home away from home
