Principles of the EYLF

What is the EYLF in childcare?

The EYLF is a foundational part of Australia’s National Quality Framework, guiding early childhood education and care from birth to age five and into the early stages of schooling.

Designed to shape quality teaching and learning, the EYLF focuses on how educators can foster meaningful early learning experiences through play, discovery, and active engagement with the world.

At its core, the EYLF supports the idea that children thrive when they feel safe, valued, and free to explore. It’s centred around three key concepts:

• Belonging – Encouraging a sense of connection to family, culture, community, and environment.
• Being – Embracing the here and now in a child’s life, recognising that childhood is a unique and important time.
• Becoming – Nurturing growth and development as children form their identity, skills, and understanding of the world.

These concepts are supported by eight key principles that direct the day-to-day approach of educators in early learning centres like Juniors Journey.

The 8 EYLF principles

Eight core principles guide educators in bringing the EYLF to life in daily practice:

1. Nurture secure, respectful and mutual relationships
2. Build strong partnerships
3. Respect and celebrate diversity
4. Embrace Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives
5. Commit to equity, inclusion and high expectations
6. Adopt sustainable practices
7. Engage in critical reflection and ongoing professional learning
8. Practice collaborative leadership and teamwork

Together, these principles of the EYLF emphasise inclusive, culturally responsive, and evidence-based practices that nurture each child’s development, wellbeing, and love of learning.

Let’s take a closer look at each one.

Nurture secure, respectful and mutual relationships

When children feel secure and respected, they become more confident, resilient, and ready to learn — and their relationships become one of the most important parts of their development. The first bonds they form with family, and later with educators and peers, offer a stable base from which they can engage with the world.

When educators are tuned in to children’s thoughts and feelings, they can respond in ways that help every child feel safe and valued. This sense of security encourages children to develop empathy, recognise the feelings of others, and build more positive relationships.

Nurturing relationships are grounded in consistent, inclusive, and responsive interactions every day. Predictable routines, sensitive responses, and genuine conversations all help children develop important social skills like self-regulation, cooperation, and teamwork.

Educators also help children understand their responsibilities to others, recognise how connected we all are as learners, and appreciate the value of working together. This builds a strong sense of belonging and sets the stage for respectful, positive relationships throughout life.

In practice, fostering secure, respectful, and mutual relationships can involve:

• Creating a safe space where children can freely express themselves.
• Using positive language and truly listening to what children have to say.
• Providing comfort and reassurance during transitions or challenging times.
• Establishing predictable routines and responding warmly to children’s needs.
• Encouraging friendships and teamwork through group play and activities.

Build strong partnerships

When educators work closely with children, families, and other professionals, they create the best opportunities for children to learn, grow, and thrive.

Strong partnerships give children more consistent care, a greater sense of belonging, and richer learning that connects their home, community, and early education.

These relationships are built on mutual respect, trust, and a genuine appreciation of each other’s knowledge, skills, and values.

Families are a child’s first and most important teachers. When families share their knowledge, culture, and perspectives, learning experiences become more meaningful and connected to each child’s life. By recognising this, educators can foster welcoming environments where every family feels respected, valued, and encouraged to be an active part of the learning journey.

Effective partnerships also rely on open, respectful communication and a shared commitment to each child’s wellbeing. Educators should listen to and value families’ insights, involve them in decision-making, and work together to provide consistent support between home and the early learning setting.

Partnerships also extend to working with other community members, particularly when children require additional support. Through ethical and respectful collaboration, educators help ensure every child can fully participate in daily routines, play, and learning.

In practice, building partnerships might look like:

• Creating warm, welcoming spaces where families feel at home.
• Having regular, relaxed conversations with families about their child’s progress and goals.
• Inviting families to share their cultural traditions, stories, and skills.
• Using a variety of communication tools to keep families connected and informed.
• Working alongside other professionals to provide coordinated support.

Respect and celebrate diversity

Every child grows up within a unique cultural context shaped by their family’s values, beliefs, traditions, and ways of living. These influences, along with heritage, ancestral knowledge, and community connections, play a vital role in shaping identity.

Respecting diversity means recognising and valuing these differences, and integrating them into daily learning so that all children and families feel seen, safe, and respected.

Educators show this respect by honouring each family’s history, culture, language, traditions, spiritual beliefs, child-rearing practices, and lifestyle choices. That includes responding thoughtfully to the complexities of family life, making curriculum decisions that reflect and respect each child’s identity and strengths, and addressing unfairness when it arises.

This creates a welcoming environment where every child feels they belong, regardless of their background.

When diversity is genuinely respected and celebrated, children develop cultural awareness, empathy, and an appreciation for the many perspectives that make up their community. They also become more motivated to learn and grow in confidence as capable learners.

• In practice, respecting diversity can involve:
• Encouraging conversations about similarities, differences, and how we can live together respectfully.
• Incorporating family values, practices, and beliefs into the curriculum.
• Inviting families to share traditions, celebrations, and cultural knowledge.
• Offering opportunities for bilingual or multilingual language experiences.
• Including multicultural books, music, stories, and resources in everyday learning.

Embrace Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewpoints

All children should grow up with an understanding of Australia’s First Nations peoples, their histories, cultures, languages, and knowledge systems.

For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, seeing their culture and identity reflected in their learning environment builds pride and a strong sense of belonging. For all children, it nurtures respect, understanding, and appreciation for the world’s oldest living cultures.

Embedding these perspectives is a shared responsibility for every educator and service. It’s central to Reconciliation, supports Closing the Gap commitments, and enriches learning experiences for all.

After all, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have cared for Country for more than 60,000 years, maintaining deep connections to land, waters, community, and culture.

By honouring and sharing this knowledge in early learning settings, educators help children develop a truthful understanding of Australia’s history while fostering a greater appreciation for its cultural heritage.

This work starts with building genuine relationships with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and Elders, seeking guidance on culturally respectful approaches, and creating spaces where Western and First Nations knowledge systems work together.

It means learning about kinship systems, respecting cultural protocols, and ensuring First Nations voices are woven into curriculum planning and daily experiences.

When these perspectives are meaningfully embedded in early learning experiences, children gain a deeper sense of culture, identity, and connection.

In practice, this EYLF principle might look like:

• Taking part in cultural competency training.
• Supporting children to explore and appreciate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage.
• Weaving First Nations perspectives into the curriculum all year round.
• Including Indigenous stories, songs, art, and symbols in daily activities.
• Learning about and sharing the history and culture of the local community.

Commit to equity, inclusion and high expectations

Every child deserves the chance to learn, feel included, and succeed, no matter their background, abilities, or life circumstances.

Educators who commit to equity and inclusion see all children as capable and full of potential, creating learning spaces where each one feels supported, valued, and able to shine.

Importantly, true equity and inclusion go far beyond simply welcoming everyone. It’s about ensuring every child can fully participate in learning, even if that means providing extra time, resources, or tailored support to help them thrive.

This might involve adapting the environment, using flexible teaching approaches, or offering additional assistance so that all children can access and enjoy meaningful learning experiences.

It also means actively identifying and removing barriers to participation, whether they stem from disability, neurodiversity, cultural or language differences, family diversity, or the effects of trauma. Educators should challenge unfair practices and make curriculum decisions that genuinely encourage every child’s involvement.

When educators believe in a child’s ability to succeed and give them the right tools and opportunities, children are more likely to embrace challenges, grow in confidence, and reach their full potential.

In practice, committing to equity, inclusion, and high expectations can include:

• Offering varied learning experiences to suit different needs and interests.
• Using inclusive strategies to support children with additional needs.
• Working closely with families, communities, and other professionals to provide the right support.
• Setting learning goals that stretch and support each child individually.
• Celebrating effort and persistence as much as achievement.

Adopt sustainable practices

Sustainability is about caring for our world so that people, places, and the planet can thrive now and in the future. It has three connected parts:

1. Environmental sustainability – looking after the natural world by protecting, preserving, and improving it.
2. Social sustainability – building strong, inclusive communities where people live fairly, respectfully, and peacefully together.
3. Economic sustainability – supporting growth and access to resources in ways that don’t harm people or the environment.

When sustainability is woven into everyday learning, children develop respect for the environment, an understanding of their impact on the world, and a commitment to building a fair, healthy, and vibrant future for everyone.

That’s why educators should foster curiosity about the planet, encourage its care, and help children understand how people, animals, plants, lands, and waters are all connected.

Importantly, sustainable practices work best when children are involved in shaping them. Giving children agency — the chance to make decisions and take action — helps them see they can make a difference.

Learning from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, and long-standing sustainable practices also builds deep respect for Country and the wisdom of those who have cared for it for thousands of years.

In practice, using sustainable practices can include:

• Spending time outdoors to build a connection with nature.
• Embedding ideas of fairness, sharing, and social justice into stories and discussions.
• Growing food and learning where it comes from.
• Recycling, composting, and saving energy in daily routines.
• Working with families and communities on sustainability projects.

Engage in critical reflection and ongoing professional learning

Critical reflection is about taking a step back and thinking deeply about your practice — asking questions, considering different perspectives, and using what you discover to make meaningful changes.

It’s looking at teaching through different lenses, like ethics, theory, philosophy, and cultural context, to take approaches that genuinely support children’s learning, well-being, and inclusion.

This way of thinking encourages educators to ask:

Why do I teach this way?

What beliefs shape my choices?

Who benefits from my approach, and who might be left out?

By challenging assumptions and exploring new viewpoints, educators can strengthen their practice so it meets the diverse needs of children and families.

Ongoing professional learning goes hand in hand with critical reflection. By building skills, staying up to date with research, and trying new approaches, educators can respond to changing needs and bring fresh, evidence-based ideas into their programs.

When critical reflection and ongoing learning are part of everyday work, educators grow professionally, make informed decisions, and create richer, more responsive learning experiences for every child.

In practice, this can look like:

• Keeping a reflective journal to capture insights and plan improvements.
• Taking part in training, workshops, or further study.Having open, honest discussions with colleagues and communities.
• Asking for feedback to improve teaching strategies.
• Valuing local knowledge, including the perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders.

Practice collaborative leadership and teamwork

Supportive leadership and teamwork are essential to a positive, high-quality early learning environment. Every educator plays a role in leadership by sharing responsibility for children’s learning, development, and well-being, and by using their skills to benefit the whole community.

Effective collaboration between educators, families, children and wider society starts with professional integrity. Educators lead by example, taking responsibility for their actions and decisions, and maintaining ethical practice.

Collaboration is also intentional. By listening to different perspectives, engaging in open discussions, and making joint decisions, educators strengthen relationships and make their programs even better for everyone involved.

This builds trust and a strong team culture, setting the tone for a respectful and cooperative space where children feel safe, respected, and able to thrive.

In practice, supportive leadership and teamwork can involve:

• Ensuring every voice is heard and valued.
• Sharing knowledge and mentoring colleagues.
• Encouraging respectful, honest conversations about practice.
• Reflecting as a team to refine approaches and improve outcomes.
• Working with families and community partners to enrich learning.

How we implement the EYLF principles every day

The EYLF principles guide everything we do at our early learning centre. By putting them into practice, educators create inclusive, engaging environments where children feel safe, supported, and inspired to learn for a lifetime.

A holistic approach

A holistic approach means looking at the whole child — not just their academic learning, but their physical health, emotional well-being, social skills, thinking abilities, and family connections. All areas of development are linked, so supporting one area often helps another.

Intentional teaching

Intentional teaching is a balance between child-led learning and purposeful guidance from educators.

It’s about planning meaningful experiences while remaining flexible enough to follow children’s ideas.

Responsive programs

Every child learns differently. Being responsive means tuning in to their interests, strengths, and needs, and adapting teaching to match.

Play-based learning

Play is at the heart of the EYLF because it’s how children naturally explore and make sense of the world.

Through play, they imagine, experiment, and problem-solve. Play with peers also helps them form friendships, share new ideas, and challenge each other’s thinking.

Engaging learning environments

The learning environment shapes how children explore, interact, and grow. Well-designed spaces reflect the children and families who use them, inviting creativity and collaboration.

Support with transitions

Transitions — like starting moving into preschool or beginning school — can be exciting but also challenging.

Educators work closely with families to make these changes smooth by introducing new routines gradually, setting clear expectations, and helping children feel comfortable with new roles, people and spaces.

Cultural competence

Cultural competence means valuing and respecting different ways of living, learning, and understanding the world.

Educators actively seek to learn about cultural perspectives, approach differences with curiosity, and make sure diversity is visible and celebrated in daily experiences.

Learning assessments

Ongoing assessment helps educators understand where each child is in their learning journey and how best to support them.

By observing, documenting, and reflecting on progress, educators can celebrate achievements, identify new skills and emerging interests, and plan next steps in learning.

Nurture your child’s development at our early learning centre

At Juniors Journey, principles of the EYLF shape everything we do, from encouraging children’s curiosity through play to building strong, respectful relationships that support emotional wellbeing.

These principles help us create rich learning environments where every child feels safe, valued, and empowered to explore, question, and grow.

Through thoughtful, play-based programs, we support each child’s individual development and lay the foundations for a lifelong love of learning.

Whether you’re in Gateshead, Mildura, or Eglinton, our early learning centres are warm, inclusive spaces where your child’s journey truly begins.

Book a tour, enrol, or get in touch with our team to find out how we can support your family.