1. Assessment practices in the early years
Published by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority Level 1, 2 Lonsdale Street Melbourne VIC 3000
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2. Implementing the VEYLDF in early years settings across Victoria
Information for early childhood professionals
maternal and child health nurses
supported playgroup and family support workers
health professionals
early childhood intervention workers kindergarten, long day care and family day care educators
preschool field officers
inclusion support facilitators
early years primary school teachers
outside school hours care educators
educational officers in cultural organisations.
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3. Frameworks and resources
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4. Continuum of learning from birth to eight years
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5. What is assessment for learning and development?
Assessment for children’s learning refers to the process of gathering and analysing information as evidence about what children know, can do and understand.
(EYLF, 2009, p. 17)
Early childhood professionals assess children’s learning in ways that:
inform ongoing practice
measure progress in learning
identify where intervention, focused support or referral may be required. (VEYLDF, 2009)
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6. Evidence Collection: the Planning Cycle
Using evidence to inform:
children’s learning and development
early childhood professionals’ practice.
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The Early Years Planning Cycle is a resource to support documentation of children’s learning:

7. Assessment for learning and development: Practice approaches
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8. A focus on children’s strengths and capabilities
recording rich evidence of children’s diverse ideas, interests, capabilities, skills in play, and dispositions for learning
children being active contributors to their own learning
early childhood professionals’ documenting, planning and reflecting together with children.
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9. Broadening perspectives of children’s learning and development
a focus on looking for children's learning
integrating new knowledge about contemporary theories, frameworks and practices
incorporating children’s and families’ perspectives in analysis of learning.
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10. Tracking children’s progress
deliberate and purposeful layering of evidence for developmental milestones with learning outcomes
questioning and analysing progress in learning to inform professional judgment about future learning
collecting and reflecting on evidence in an ongoing way to measure growth and progress and identify early referral where appropriate.
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11. Initiating conversations about children’s learning and development
gathering evidence to support conversations about ‘what children are learning’ and ‘how they are learning’
describing babies, toddlers and young children’s learning using the language in the VEYLDF
providing feedback and making strong connections between learning at home and in the community.
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12. Taking action to strengthen collaborative partnerships
creating time for joint opportunities to document, analyse, plan and reflect with other early childhood professionals
completing multidisciplinary assessments
building on existing partnerships and making new connections.
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13. Demonstrating leadership and proactively supporting colleagues
understanding and communicating reform initiatives, program and policy directions
modelling pedagogical leadership by using and adapting tools and resources to rethink quality practice
promoting local network connections, supporting practice change and continuous improvement.
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14. Review, reflect and plan
What assessment practices have been affirmed? What practices will you adapt or change?
How would you describe what assessment means within your service or program area now?
What assessment approaches, tools and reporting practices are routinely used in your service or program area?
What other tools and assessment for learning and development practice themes could you use to change or influence your work with children and families?
What practice principles, outcomes and transition planning in the learning and development frameworks could you consider more deeply?
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15. Resources
VCAA Early Years resources (including VEYLDF, ALD Project Report, Early Years Exchange, VEYLDF Learning and Development Outcomes illustrative maps linking to the AusVELS, Early Years Alert subscriptions) DEECD Early Childhood resources VEYLDF Resource Kit (DVD) Educator’s Guide to the Early Years Learning Framework for Australia _framework_for_australia.pdf ACECQA National Quality Standards Australian Early Development Index Early Years Learning Framework Framework for School-aged Care Kit/my_time_our_place_framework_for_school_age_care_in_australia.pdf
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16. Further information
The VCAA welcomes your comments, questions and feedback about this resource. To provide your feedback or talk further about using this resource or the ALD Project Report 2013, please contact: Carmel Phillips Manager, Early Years Kerryn Lockett Program Manager, Early Years
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