The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) in childcare is Australia’s national guide for early childhood education. It supports quality teaching and learning for children from birth to five, including outside school hours care. Centered on belonging, being, and becoming, the EYLF highlights early childhood as a crucial stage that shapes lifelong learning and development.
Families are seeking more than routine care, they want meaningful learning, values-based approaches, and programs that nurture the whole child. The EYLF offers a clear framework that ensures consistency and supports educators to plan, reflect, and deliver experiences tailored to each child’s unique development.
For families exploring Montessori childcare, understanding how EYLF aligns with the Montessori Curriculum is essential. The Montessori method and EYLF may have different origins, but their shared values around child-led learning, respect, independence, and engagement create a harmonious blend. In this blog, we explore what the EYLF is, how it has evolved, and how it aligns and seamlessly integrates with Montessori Academy’s unique educational approach.
What is EYLF?
The Early Years Learning Framework is Australia’s national framework for early childhood education, developed by the Australian Government and overseen by ACECQA (Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority). Its core focus is to ensure that all children in early childhood settings experience learning that is engaging and builds success for life.
The EYLF is structured around three key components:
- Principles
- Practices
- Learning Outcomes
It also incorporates the planning cycle, which educators use to observe children, plan programs, implement activities, and reflect on learning. This process ensures educators nurture children’s developmental needs, interests, and identity in meaningful ways. The cycle is ongoing and includes the following stages: observation, planning, implementation, documentation, and critical reflection.
The EYLF was first introduced in 2009 to support the national reform agenda for early childhood education. It was developed in response to research highlighting the significance of the early years in shaping a child’s future wellbeing and success. Since its release, the EYLF has become a cornerstone of quality assurance and programming across early childhood services in Australia.
In Montessori classrooms, the planning process integrates seamlessly into daily practice. Here is how the cycle typically unfolds:
| Step | Description | Example |
| Observe | Educators watch how children interact with materials and peers | A child repeatedly chooses the Pink Tower, indicating interest in spatial reasoning and sequencing |
| Plan | Educators decide on experiences to extend learning | Introduce the Brown Stair to complement and scaffold the Pink Tower work |
| Implement | Planned experiences are offered | The child is presented with the Brown Stair in a new layout to invite exploration |
| Document | Notes, photos, and work samples are gathered | Educator records child’s engagement, language used, and perseverance |
| Reflect | Educator reviews impact and plans next steps | Reflect that the child is ready for extensions into Sensorial and early Math activities |
What is the difference between the original EYLF and the EYLF V2?
The original EYLF was introduced in 2009 as part of the National Quality Framework. In 2022, EYLF Version 2.0 was released following sector-wide consultation and research. This updated version includes improved clarity and language, a stronger focus on sustainability, inclusion, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives.
Key Differences Between EYLF and EYLF V2
| Feature | EYLF (2009) | EYLF V2 (2022) |
| Language | Generalised terminology | More precise and inclusive language |
| Focus on Diversity | Present | Expanded emphasis on cultural responsiveness |
| Sustainability | Emerging | Embedded throughout the framework |
| Planning Cycle | Implied | Clearly integrated and explained |
The updated framework is available in full through the official EYLF V2 document.
What are the key EYLF principles?
The EYLF is built on five core principles that guide educators in working with children and families. These principles shape relationships, learning environments, and programs. Educators deeply embed these principles in everyday interactions and planning to ensure each child’s experience is rich, inclusive, and purposeful.
- Secure, respectful and reciprocal relationships: Relationships are central to learning. Nurturing environments that support children’s emotional needs help them feel safe and confident. At Montessori Academy, educators build strong relationships through consistency, empathy, and respect for independence, promoting trust and engagement.
- Partnerships: Families are a child’s first teachers. Strong partnerships between educators and families enable shared decision-making and better understanding of each child’s needs. Montessori Academy encourages open communication, learning documentation, and parent involvement, ensuring holistic learning across home and school.
- High expectations and equity: Every child can learn and grow. Montessori educators set high expectations, adapting experiences to support diverse abilities. Through differentiated activities, all children get the tools they need to thrive.
- Respect for diversity: Cultural competence fosters inclusive environments. EYLF encourages honoring each child’s language, traditions, and experiences. Montessori classrooms include multicultural resources, songs, books, and celebrations, nurturing identity and belonging.
- Ongoing learning and reflective practice: Educators are lifelong learners who reflect daily through observations, team discussions, and professional development. This helps adapt programs, solve challenges, and celebrate successes.
Together, these principles guide programs that build academic skills, emotional intelligence, social responsibility, and a strong sense of self.
What are EYLF practices?
The EYLF practices describe the ways educators can deliver meaningful programs to support children’s learning and development. These include:
Holistic approaches: Recognising the interconnectedness of physical, personal, social, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. For instance, offering mindfulness and nature walks alongside traditional literacy development.
Responsiveness to children: Adapting environments and experiences to children’s interests and developmental stages. For example, when a Montessori child shows interest in pouring, educators present water transfer exercises or ocean ecosystem-related learning experiences.
Learning through doing: As famously said by Dr Maria Montessori, “Play is the work of the child”. By valuing play as a context for learning, Montessori Academy uses purposeful, hands-on materials that support deep engagement.
Intentional teaching: Purposefully planning and guiding learning experiences. Montessori educators select materials carefully based on observations and learning goals.
Learning environments: Creating engaging, safe, and inclusive spaces. Montessori classrooms are designed to foster independence, curiosity, and choice.
Cultural competence: Respecting diversity and promoting inclusive practices. Educators acknowledge holidays, languages, and stories from all cultures.
Continuity of learning and transitions: Supporting children and families through key changes, such as room or school transitions.
Assessment for learning: Using observation and documentation to support learning progress. Progress journals and student portfolios help educators track individual growth.
An intentional learning experience might involve setting up a sensory activity that builds fine motor skills while sparking curiosity, followed by reflective programming based on children’s responses.
What are EYLF Outcomes?
The EYLF includes five broad learning outcomes that focus on children’s development from birth to school age:
| Outcome | Description | Example in Montessori Context |
| Outcome 1 | Children have a strong sense of identity | Child chooses own work, returns materials independently, builds relationships with peers |
| Outcome 2 | Children are connected with and contribute to their world | Group gardening projects encourage care for nature and cooperation |
| Outcome 3 | Children have a strong sense of wellbeing | Practical Life activities support coordination, confidence, and health habits |
| Outcome 4 | Children are confident and involved learners | Sensorial materials build concentration, problem-solving, and joy in mastery |
| Outcome 5 | Children are effective communicators | Conversations during group time and storytelling build language and literacy |
These outcomes guide both curriculum development and critical reflection for educators.
What are the benefits of the Early Years Learning Framework?
The Early Years Learning Framework supports early childhood education by offering a clear, consistent framework for educators. Key benefits include:
Promotes Child-Centred Learning: The EYLF encourages educators to follow children’s interests and developmental stages. This results in more meaningful learning.
Supports Continuity and Transition: By aligning with national standards, the EYLF prepares children for school and ensures smoother transitions between early learning and primary school settings.
Encourages Reflective Practice: Educators engage in regular programming and critical reflection, which leads to improved outcomes for children.
Inclusive and Diverse: The framework respects and values children’s diverse backgrounds and learning styles.
Strengthens Family Partnerships: The EYLF positions families as partners in the learning journey, which is essential in quality childcare.
Evidence-Based: As an ACECQA-approved document, the EYLF is backed by research and aligns with the National Quality Standard. The EYLF factsheet provides key updates and practical insights into the framework.
EYLF & Montessori: Are they compatible?
Absolutely. While the EYLF and the Montessori approach stem from different educational traditions, they share many complementary values that make them highly compatible. At Montessori Academy, educators successfully integrate the EYLF within the framework of the Montessori philosophy, creating a learning environment that supports both national quality standards and authentic Montessori practice.
The EYLF’s emphasis on belonging, being, and becoming aligns naturally with Montessori’s focus on the development of the whole child, emotionally, socially, physically, and cognitively. Both models prioritise individualised learning, respect for each child’s pace, and creating environments that foster independence, curiosity, and active engagement.
Here’s how Montessori supports key EYLF principles and outcomes:
Prepared environments: Montessori classrooms are intentionally designed to support autonomy and exploration. This aligns with EYLF’s focus on holistic learning and responsive environments.
Child-led learning: Just as EYLF encourages educators to be responsive to children’s interests, Montessori education allows children to choose their work based on intrinsic motivation, supporting strong learning dispositions.
Observation and reflection: Montessori educators observe children daily, use these insights to inform planning, and reflect regularly, closely mirroring the EYLF planning cycle.
Cultural responsiveness and inclusion: Montessori values respect for all people and cultures. This aligns with the EYLF’s emphasis on diversity and equitable learning opportunities.
Learning outcomes: Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Mathematics, and Culture areas within the Montessori Curriculum naturally support the five EYLF learning outcomes.
At Montessori Academy, the integration of the Montessori Curriculum and the EYLF is intentional and reflective. We follow the principles in our Montessori and EYLF guide, which explains how these two approaches work together to help children grow and learn.
FAQs
What is the EYLF planning cycle?
It’s a five-stage process that includes: observing, planning, implementing, documenting, and reflecting. This ensures that we tailor programs to children’s learning and development.
How does the EYLF help with school readiness?
By focusing on emotional, social, physical, and cognitive development, the EYLF prepares children for the transition to school with confidence.
Is EYLF mandatory?
Yes, the EYLF is mandatory. It is part of Australia’s National Quality Framework and must be implemented by all approved early childhood education and care services.
Does EYLF include sustainability?
Yes, both EYLF and EYLF V2 include a strong emphasis on sustainability practices and environmental responsibility.
Where can I access more information?
Additional information are available at the EYLF Factsheet or the complete EYLF V2 document for further reading.
Supporting Your Child’s Learning Journey
Understanding the Early Years Learning Framework is key to making informed decisions about your child’s early education. At Montessori Academy, we deliver high-quality early learning through our Montessori Learning Programs, combining the timeless philosophy of Dr Maria Montessori with the contemporary guidance of the EYLF.
Whether you are a parent, educator, or simply curious about early childhood education, understanding how the EYLF works in a Montessori childcare environment gives you valuable insight into how we nurture your child’s growth and development.
We blend structured learning, creativity, and individualised programming within a recognised national framework to empower children to thrive. Get in touch with your local Montessori Academy for a tour and discover how our programs align with the EYLF and nurture your child’s full potential