Early childhood education & care (ECEC)

Browse AERO’s resources for early childhood education and care settings.

Resource collections (4)

May 2026

Guides & resources (10+)

Video

Jul 2024

Introduction to Early Childhood Learning Trajectories

This video introduces AERO's Early Childhood Learning Trajectories, freely available evidence-based resources for use alongside the EYLF 2.0 assessment and planning cycle. Early childhood education and care service teams can use these resources to support children’s learning, development and wellbeing.

Video

Jul 2024

Social and emotional learning: Trajectory

This Early Childhood Learning Trajectory video outlines children’s progress in social and emotional learning. It can be used alongside the EYLF 2.0 assessment and planning cycle to support children’s learning, development and wellbeing.

Video

Jul 2024

Executive functions: Trajectory

This Early Childhood Learning Trajectory video outlines children’s progress in executive functions. It can be used alongside the EYLF 2.0 assessment and planning cycle to support children’s learning, development and wellbeing.

Research (10+)

Two educators sit at a desk smiling and pointing at a folder open in front of them

Discussion paper

Nov 2025

Insights into implementation in early childhood education and care 2025

AERO has been working alongside ECEC services to increase our understanding of implementation of evidence-based practices in ECEC. This insights paper shares our learnings from the 2023 and 2024 iterations of the ECEC Learning Partner project.

Three women sitting around a desk in an office environment.

Research report

Jun 2025

National early career teacher mentoring and induction support

This report considers the appropriateness of national early career mentoring and induction support for early childhood education and care (ECEC) teachers.

Three professional women sitting outdoors and looking at a laptop.

Research report

Jun 2025

National professional practice network for educators and teachers

This report considers the appropriateness of a national professional practice network for teachers and educators working in early childhood education and care and outside school hours care.

Summaries & explainers (8)

Research summary

Oct 2025

Professional learning research insight: Motivations for schools participating in external professional learning

Professional learning is a common strategy for influencing and supporting the use of evidence-based practices in schools and early childhood education and care (ECEC) services and enhancing learning outcomes for children and young people. The Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO) is exploring how best to deliver professional learning in the Australian education context. This research summary outlines early evidence from one of our research projects on coaching.

Research summary

Aug 2025

Professional learning research insight: Building professional coaching relationships

This research summary provides an overview of how professional learning can influence and support the use of evidence-based practices in schools and early childhood education and care (ECEC) services, to enhance learning outcomes. It outlines early evidence from one of our research projects on coaching.

Research summary

Nov 2024

Sharing professional learning via peer mentoring

This research summary provides an overview of a study on peer mentoring for professional learning conducted by AERO in partnership with ALNF.

Other (10+)

Submission

Jun 2026

Submission to the Australian Parliament House of Representatives Standing Committee on Education’s inquiry into the factors driving educational attainment

In this submission, AERO encourages implementing evidence-based practices to support all learners, irrespective of their gender or background, to reach their full potential. This includes providing clear guidance to support adoption of effective practices for all children and young people, paired with early identification and targeted support for students at risk of falling behind in their schooling, and prioritising quality improvement in ECEC.

A group of early childhood and education teachers sit around a table discussing learning resources

Article

Feb 2026

Understanding educator retention in early childhood education and care

AERO’s analysis of Educator Survey data provides early insights into what influences ECEC educators to remain in the sector.

Media release

Nov 2025

ECEC implementation insights

Deliberate and structured approach the key to embedding evidence-based practice in early education.

Resource collections (4)

Early childhood learning trajectories

Using research to strengthen your practice

Assessment for children’s learning

Guides & resources (10+)

Introduction to Early Childhood Learning Trajectories

Social and emotional learning: Trajectory

Executive functions: Trajectory

Research (10+)

Insights into implementation in early childhood education and care 2025

National early career teacher mentoring and induction support

National professional practice network for educators and teachers

Summaries & explainers (8)

Professional learning research insight: Motivations for schools participating in external professional learning

Professional learning research insight: Building professional coaching relationships

Sharing professional learning via peer mentoring

Other (10+)

Submission to the Australian Parliament House of Representatives Standing Committee on Education’s inquiry into the factors driving educational attainment

Understanding educator retention in early childhood education and care

ECEC implementation insights

Australia's national education evidence body

Australia's national
education evidence body