In early childhood settings across Australia, the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) is more than a document; it’s a living, breathing presence in children’s play. When educators truly see the EYLF in action, they witness a tapestry of learning, relationships, and identity unfolding moment by moment. This article explores how the EYLF manifests through play and how educators can deepen their observations, documentation, and advocacy by tuning into its rhythms.

This mapping tool is designed to help educators translate everyday moments into meaningful documentation aligned with the EYLF.  By spotlighting real examples of children’s play, interactions, and discoveries, it supports reflective practice and strengthens outcome-based planning.

Here’s an educator-friendly EYLF V2.0 Reference Sheet designed for quick use in planning, documentation, and reflection. It’s structured to support intuitive linking between observations and outcomes, with simplified language and examples to spark educator insight.

In early childhood education, the phrase “school readiness” often conjures images of children sitting quietly at tables, practicing handwriting or phonics. But this narrow view overlooks the rich, embodied ways that young children learn. As research and practice continue to affirm, four-year-olds don’t need to sit still to be ready for school, they need to move, explore, and play.

Pedagogy in early childhood isn’t just about teaching—it’s about how we nurture, guide, and co-construct learning with our youngest citizens. It’s the heartbeat of early education, where relationships, play, and emotional safety shape every moment.

This booklet can be used to track individual progress. 

This template can be used as an observation template.

This template can be used as an observation template.

The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) guides how we document, plan, and reflect on children’s learning in Australia. But with time pressures, ratio demands, and competing priorities, educators need tools that make framework integration achievable and empowering. This cheat sheet distills key EYLF elements into practical prompts and linking keywords—so teams can streamline observation cycles, make meaningful outcome connections, and stay child-focused every step of the way.

In early childhood education, observation and planning cycles are meant to illuminate learning—not drown educators in endless paperwork. Yet for many services, these cycles have become overwhelming, rigid, and detached from everyday practice. The solution isn’t to lower standards but to design systems that reflect real moments, empower educator voice, and prioritize children's growth without burning out the people guiding it.