Victoria’s updated VEYLDF supports best practice for early childhood professionals

Victoria has updated the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF) to ensure it continues to support early childhood professionals to deliver inclusive, high-quality learning for children aged birth to 8 years.

The updated VEYLDF strengthens the sector wide focus on child safety and wellbeing, deepens and embeds First Nations perspectives, maintains alignment with the national Early Years Learning Framework V2.0, and supports continuity of learning from birth through to the early years of school.  

About the updated VEYLDF

The updated VEYLDF reinforces Victoria’s commitment to giving children the best start in life and retains the core architecture that has supported early childhood professionals for many years. 

The updated VEYLDF has five key changes:

• Strengthened focus on child safety and wellbeing throughout for all early childhood professionals
• Integrated teaching and learning approaches. Previously a practice principle within the framework, integrated teaching and learning approaches now sit above the Practice Principles, alongside the Early Years Planning Cycle. The importance of intentional teaching is explained more clearly.
• Cultural knowledge stories. Additional cultural knowledge stories have been added throughout the framework.
• New examples to support translation of principles into every-day practice. The document has been redesigned to provide clear examples under each Practice Principle of what professionals will do, see and reflect on if they are aligning their practice to the VEYLDF
• Updated outcome descriptors. The outcome descriptors have been updated to align with the Early Years Learning Framework 2.0 and the Victorian Curriculum 2.0

A framework shaped by the sector

The update has been shaped by extensive consultation across the sector and reflects the deep expertise of early childhood professionals and academics.

Their insights have helped ensure the framework responds to contemporary practice needs, reflects current evidence about children's learning and development, and supports the diverse contexts in which professionals work with children and families.

Implementing the updated VEYLDF

Implementation of the updated VEYLDF will occur over a 2-year implementation period (2026-2028). 

During the familiarisation phase, services will be supported through professional learning, capability building, resources and implementation guidance. Tailored guidance will be provided for different professionals and service settings, in recognition of their varied roles. 

From January 2028, Victorian kindergartens will be required to align their educational programs with the updated VEYLDF. The department will continue to provide professional learning and resources to support implementation across the sector.

Find out more 

To view the updated VEYLDF or register for upcoming information sessions, please visit the Victorian Department of Education’s VEYLDF website.