Every child’s learning journey is unique, shaped by their interests, strengths, and cultural identity. The EYLF places strong emphasis on documenting children’s goals and critically reflecting on them as part of a continuous cycle of planning. This process is not just about compliance; it’s about making learning visible, ensuring children’s voices are heard, and engaging families as partners in their child’s development.
By setting clear, individualised goals and revisiting them regularly, educators can celebrate progress, identify emerging needs, and adapt strategies to support each child’s growth. Whether reviewed half-yearly, yearly, or through ongoing reflection, documenting and evaluating goals helps services demonstrate quality practice and align with the principles, practices, and outcomes of EYLF.
Why Document Goals?
EYLF emphasises ongoing, collaborative, and culturally responsive planning. Documenting children’s goals ensures:
- Each child’s learning journey is visible and valued
- Educators can track progress against EYLF outcomes
- Families and children are included in decision-making
- Services meet NQS requirements for planning and reflection
Ways to Document Goals
Services can choose formats that suit their context, but common approaches include
-
Learning Portfolios
Individual folders or digital platforms with observations, photos, and work samples linked to EYLF outcomes. -
Goal Planning Sheets
Simple templates showing goals, strategies, and links to EYLF principles and practices. -
Learning Stories
Narrative records that connect everyday experiences to developmental goals. -
Checklists & Milestone Charts
Practical tools for tracking developmental progress, especially for younger children.
Examples Of Goals
Here’s a practical set of examples of EYLF V2.0 goals you can use when documenting and reflecting on children’s learning. I’ve grouped them by the five EYLF Learning Outcomes so they’re easy to adapt into planning sheets or portfolios:
EYLF Outcome 1: Children have a strong sense of identity
- Build confidence in separating from family at drop-off
- Develop positive relationships with peers through cooperative play
- Express feelings and needs using words or gestures
- Show pride in personal achievements by sharing work with others
EYLF Outcome 2: Children are connected with and contribute to their world
- Participate in group routines (tidy-up, mealtimes)
- Engage in cultural celebrations and share family traditions
- Care for the environment by watering plants or recycling materials
- Demonstrate empathy by comforting peers or helping with tasks
EYLF Outcome 3: Children have a strong sense of wellbeing.
- Practice self-help skills (washing hands, dressing independently)
- Develop gross motor skills (climbing, balancing, running)
- Explore healthy food choices during mealtimes
- Use strategies to regulate emotions (deep breathing, quiet space)
EYLF Outcome 4: Children are confident and involved learners
- Experiment with problem-solving during block play
- Persist with challenging tasks (puzzles, threading beads)
- Explore cause-and-effect through science experiments
- Use imaginative play to test ideas and build narratives
EYLF Outcome 5: Children are effective communicators
- Expand vocabulary by naming objects in the environment
- Retell familiar stories using props or puppets
- Recognise and write their own name
- Use digital tools (drawing apps, photos) to share ideas
These examples can be written as individualised goals (e.g., “Amira will practice separating confidently at drop-off”) and then reflected on during half-yearly or yearly reviews.
Reflecting and Evaluating Goals
EYLF highlights critical reflection as a key practice. Reflection should be:
- Ongoing: Notes in daily/weekly planning cycles
- Collaborative: Team discussions to evaluate strategies
- Inclusive: Family input and child voice considered
- Evidence-based: Using observations and documentation to assess progress
Examples Of Evaluating Goals
Here are some examples of evaluating children’s goals using EYLF principles. These show how educators can reflect on progress, adjust strategies, and document outcomes clearly:
EYLF Outcome 1: Identity
Goal: Child will separate confidently from family at drop-off.
Evaluation:
- Observation: Child now enters the room without distress and greets peers.
- Reflection: Strategy of using a consistent educator at drop-off was effective.
- Next Step: Encourage child to initiate play with peers to deepen social confidence.
EYLF Outcome 2: Community
Goal: Child will participate in group routines (tidy-up, mealtimes).
Evaluation:
- Observation: Child joins tidy-up when prompted but still needs reminders.
- Reflection: Visual cues (song, picture cards) supported engagement.
- Next Step: Introduce peer modeling to strengthen independence in routines.
EYLF Outcome 3: Wellbeing
Goal: Child will practice self-help skills (washing hands independently).
Evaluation:
- Observation: Child washes hands before meals with minimal assistance.
- Reflection: Routine practice and visual handwashing chart were effective.
- Next Step: Extend self-help skills to dressing tasks (putting on shoes).
EYLF Outcome 4: Learning
Goal: Child will persist with challenging tasks (puzzles).
Evaluation:
- Observation: Child completes 6-piece puzzles independently and attempts 12-piece puzzles with support.
- Reflection: Encouragement and scaffolding helped build persistence.
- Next Step: Provide more complex puzzles and introduce collaborative problem-solving.
EYLF Outcome 5: Communication
Goal: Child will expand vocabulary by naming objects in the environment.
Evaluation:
- Observation: Child now names familiar classroom objects and uses descriptive words.
- Reflection: Daily naming games and storybook reading supported vocabulary growth.
- Next Step: Encourage child to use new words in sentences during group discussions.
Easy Evaluation Framework
When evaluating goals, educators can use a simple cycle:
- Observation – What did the child achieve?
- Reflection – What strategies worked or didn’t?
- Next Step – How will we extend or adapt the goal?
Frequency of Reviews
-
Half-Yearly Reviews
- Useful for younger children with rapid developmental changes
- Allows timely adjustments to strategies
- Often aligns with mid-year reporting cycles
-
Yearly Reviews
- Provides a big-picture view of progress
- Common in preschool programs or transition-to-school planning
- Often tied to end-of-year reports
Combine ongoing reflection with formal reviews (half-yearly and yearly). This ensures goals remain responsive while still meeting compliance cycles.
- Document goals in ways that are visible, accessible, and linked to EYLF outcomes
- Reflect regularly, not just at reporting times
- Balance formal cycles (half-yearly/yearly) with ongoing informal reflection
- Involve families and children to make goals meaningful and culturally responsive
Further Reading
Creating Individual Goals for Children
List Of Goals For Educators To Achieve For The Year
SMART Goals for Educators
One-Word Goals
List Of Professional Development Goals To Implement
Reflective Practice and Goal Setting
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