Framework revision
CLIENT
Victorian Department of Education
PROJECT BRIEF
Update the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework 2026.
The Victorian Department of Education (DE) delivers education and development services directly through government schools and indirectly by regulating and funding early childhood services, non-government schools and training programs.
The Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework was last updated in 2016. For this latest iteration, there was a focus on plain language and a simplified structure to ensure the document met the needs of those working in the early years sector.
With this in mind, the Red Pony consultant worked closely with DE’s project lead to identify how the document could be restructured and the word count reduced without compromising the framework’s pedagogical integrity.
A diverse range of stakeholders and a number of authors provided input as to what should be included in the update. This had to be balanced with a plain language approach to the content so that the final document would be accessible to as broad a readership as possible.
The updated version of the framework also expanded the use of artwork and cultural knowledge stories of First Nations academics and artists to inform an early years’ model that honours, respects and acknowledges local First Nations knowledge, identity and Country.
The content for the framework evolved over a number of iterations, which incorporated further feedback from early childhood representatives. Red Pony provided input to each iteration to maintain the integrity of the text by applying consistent language guidelines, correcting errors that may have been introduced and ensuring plain language principles were adhered to.
The updated framework, now adopted by the early childhood sector, is a testament to what a large group of people working collaboratively can achieve.
“There was a focus on plain language and a simplified structure to ensure the document met the needs of those working in the early years sector.”