A Practical User Guide In Response To The Australian Early Development Census

This guide is designed to help early childhood services utilize and respond to data from the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC).  It outlines principles and practices tailored to the specific needs of children and families in the community, using AEDC data to inform and improve early childhood programs and services.

Principles

Principle 1: Explore the lived experience of families - AEDC data is an indicator of how children have developed before they start school. Understanding the story behind the data is important in planning for more effective early year’s services and supports. 

Principle 2: Examine the community data story - Drawing on the knowledge of the community story alongside AEDC data for your community or school can support early years services and schools to identify factors supporting child development.

Principle 3: Identify and bring together stakeholders - Knowledge of what is happening in the community to support children’s development can help to identify those who need to be involved in responding to AEDC data. 

Principle 4: Document, plan and monitor program - When planning your program or response, there are a number of ways you can record your objectives, resources and goals. Program Logic can be used to document what resources you have available, what you will do with those resources, who will be involved and what you expect to change for children and families.

Principle 5: Work towards Data Sovereignty - At every stage of your work, consider who is invited to the conversation. For instance: who needs to be involved in discussions about data and decisions on how to respond to data? what should be considered when interpreting or reporting on data?, how plans and initiatives align with the priorities, needs, and strengths of Aboriginal and Torres Strait children and families in the community. 

By providing a common ground on which people can work together, the AEDC can enable communities to form partnerships to plan and implement activities, programmes and services to help shape the future and wellbeing of children in Australia. 

To download the guide: User Guide For Early Childhood Services