The National Quality Framework for Early Education and Care: a discussion paper

In December 2007, the Council of Australian Governments agreed to a partnership between the Commonwealth and state and territory governments to pursue substantial reform in the areas of education, skills and early childhood development, to deliver significant improvements in human capital outcomes for all Australians. This discussion paper provides the basis for the initial round of consultations on the development of a new national quality framework for early childhood education and care to progress these reforms. It outlines some of the issues that have been identified in developing a national quality framework and a national early years learning framework, and poses a series of key questions that must be addressed in developing options. Additional input beyond the issues identified in this paper is welcome