Research snapshots
Research snapshot
The Australian Early Childhood Education and Development Experience (AECEDE) Research Project
Children’s early experiences are fundamental to ensuring healthy development throughout life.
Research snapshot
The Relationship Between Early Childhood Education and Care and Children's Development
A variety of Early Childhood Education and Care services are available in Australia, including preschool (sometimes called kindergarten), playgroup, and centre-based childcare.
Research snapshot
Taking a Strengths-based Approach to Child Development in the AEDC: the Multiple Strength Indicator
To better measure those children who have developmental strengths, this research sought to create a strength-based indicator from the Early Development Instrument that could be used within the AEDC program.
Research snapshot
Mental Health and Children's Early Learning
Early learning skills, like using language, problem solving and communication, help children to thrive and reach their full potential at school.
Fact sheets
Fact sheet
Choosing effective interventions
This fact sheet focuses on responding to AEDC data.
Fact sheet
Comparing AEDC results over time
This resource outlines how to compare results over different collections over time.
Fact sheet
Guide to Referencing the AvEDI
This fact sheet provides those using the AEDC data with guidelines to reference the AEDC.
Fact sheet
Validity and reliability of the AvEDI
The Australian version of the Early Development Instrument (AvEDI) is the instrument that teachers fill out in the AEDC program to collect information on the children’s development.
Reports
Report
Technical Report: Calculation of the Critical Difference (March 2022)
This report outlines the process of calculating critical difference of AEDC data over time. This involves four key stages of analysis which are described within.
Community stories
Community story
A Good Start In Life (ACT)
Belconnen is a large region in Canberra’s northwest. There was a significant increase in children developmentally vulnerable on two or more domains between 2012 and 2018, highlighting the need for further support.
Community story
Deception Bay (QLD)
The coastal community of Deception Bay is in the Moreton Bay region, approximately 32 kilometres north of Brisbane. AEDC data shows that the level of developmental vulnerability has decreased significantly across all cycles.
Community story
KIDDO: A Physical Literacy Program (WA)
Since 2009 nearly 20% of children starting their first year of full-time school have been identified as developmentally at risk or vulnerable on the physical health and wellbeing domain.
Community story
Southside Initiative (ACT)
A group of dedicated stakeholders collaborate to improve child health and wellbeing.
School stories
School story
Westfield Park Primary School (WA)
Westfield Park Primary School serves a highly transient community in Perth’s south-east.
School story
Ashdale Cluster Attends the AEDC National Conference (WA)
Along with ten other WA school leaders and teachers, four Deputy Principals were selected to attend the AEDC National Conference to learn about what is having an impact on early years’ outcomes.
School story
Longreach State School (QLD)
The remote farming community of Longreach lies in central west Queensland.
Data stories
Data story
School-based Language and Cognitive Skills: AEDC 2021 Data Story
This data story explores the AEDC language and cognitive skills (school-based) domain.
Data story
National Trends in Child Development: AEDC 2021 Data Story
This data story provides an overview of the first five AEDC collections (2009–2021).
Data story
How Has the COVID-19 Pandemic Affected Children?: AEDC 2021 Data Story
This data story explores the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Australian children.
Data story
How Can We Improve Equity in Early Childhood?: AEDC 2021 Data Story
This data story explores inequities in children’s development related to social, economic and geographic factors.
Videos
Instrument questions
Instrument questions
2024 Early Development Instrument Questions
The questions and response criteria from the 2024 Early Development Instrument.
Instrument questions
2021 Early Development Instrument Questions
The questions and response criteria from the 2021 Early Development Instrument.
Instrument questions
2018 Early Development Instrument Questions
The questions and response criteria from the 2018 Early Development Instrument.
Instrument questions
2012 Early Development Instrument Questions
This guide contains the questions used in the Australian version of the Early Development Instrument for the 2012 collection.
National reports
National report
2024 AEDC National Report
The 2024 AEDC National Report outlines the results for the 2024 collection and trends over time. The 2024 collection is the sixth AEDC collection to take place since 2009.
National report
2021 AEDC National Report
The national report from the 2021 collection. The 2021 AEDC data shows the majority of children were identified as ‘developmentally on track’ for each of the five AEDC domains.
National report
2009 National Report
The national report from the very first collection in 2009.
Forms
Form
AEDC Amendment Checklist
Inform AEDC Support if any details regarding the project change after an application has been submitted and/or approved.
User guides
User guide
User Guide: Early Childhood Services and Schools
This guide leads early childhood services and schools through the steps they might take when thinking about how to respond to AEDC data.
User guide
User Guide: Local Government
This guide leads local government through the steps they might take when thinking about how to respond to AEDC data.
User guide
User Guide: Community Service Organisations
This guide leads community service organisations through the steps they might take when thinking about how to respond to AEDC data.
User guide
User Guide: Policy Makers and Government Executive
This guide leads policy makers through the steps they might take when thinking about how to respond to AEDC data.