Revised Kindergarten Curriculum Guidelines released

• Western Australia's revised Kindergarten Curriculum Guidelines have been released
• The guidelines will strengthen teaching of digital literacy, cultural responsiveness, environmental education and mental health
• The Guidelines were reviewed following the Australian Government's review of the Belonging, Being & Becoming: The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia V1.0

Minister for Early Childhood Education Sabine Winton has launched Western Australia's revised Kindergarten Curriculum Guidelines, which are now available for use in all Western Australian Kindergartens.

Quality early childhood education and care plays a critical role in supporting outcomes in children's early years development, school readiness and successes for later life.

The School Curriculum and Standards Authority has updated the Kindergarten Curriculum Guidelines, which support teachers and educators to develop curriculum, and facilitate the optimal learning and development of Kindergarten children in Western Australia.

These changes will strengthen the teaching of digital literacy, cultural responsiveness, environmental and sustainable education, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, social competence, and mental health and wellbeing."

The Guidelines also support teachers and educators as they prepare Kindergarten children for the transition to formal schooling.

Following consultation with early childhood teachers and school leaders across school systems/sectors, the revisions to the guidelines were published in draft form late in 2021, as the Australian Government was reviewing the Belonging, Being and Becoming: The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia V1.0 (EYLF).

The updated guidelines reflect the changes in the Australian Government's V2.0 of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), which was released in January 2023.

Comments attributed to Minister for Early Childhood Education Sabine Winton:

"As a former teacher of 27 years, it's vital that we recognise the relationship between children's families and the school as a starting point for children's learning.

"The guidelines acknowledge that students come to Kindergarten from diverse backgrounds and contexts and develop at different rates.

"Teachers are able to use them as a flexible base to meet the needs of their students, drawing on partnerships with children and their families."

Comments attributed to Minister for Education Dr Tony Buti:

"The guidelines offer flexible support for Kindergarten children at the start of their exciting journey as lifelong learners.

"They aim to establish a solid foundation for children to prepare for their transition to compulsory education in Pre-primary and can be built on throughout the compulsory years of school."