If you have started exploring childcare or kindergarten options around Melbourne, you have likely run into a big, official-sounding acronym: the VEYLDF.
Stripped of its formal title, it stands for the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework. While it sounds like a heavy piece of educational jargon, it is actually a beautiful roadmap. Think of it as a guide that helps early childhood educators and families work together to ensure children grow up healthy, confident and eager to learn.
At Oakleigh Early Learning Journey, our Bachelor-qualified teachers and educators use this framework to shape every part of your child’s day. Let’s break down exactly what the VEYLDF means for your child’s daily routine, using plain, warm language.
The Big Picture: The 5 Learning Outcomes
Instead of measuring children by rigid tests or checklists, the VEYLDF focuses on five core areas of development. Here is how they translate into real, everyday moments at our Oakleigh East campus:
1. Identity
- What It Means in Plain English: Building a strong sense of who they are and feeling safe, loved and secure.
- What It Looks Like in Action: An educator comforting a toddler during morning drop-off, or helping a child share a story about their family holiday.
2. Community
- What It Means in Plain English: Learning how to get along with others, share and respect the world around them.
- What It Looks Like in Action: Children working together to build a block tower, taking turns on the outdoor slide, or learning about indigenous culture.
3. Wellbeing
- What It Means in Plain English: Staying active, eating well and learning how to manage big emotions like frustration or excitement.
- What It Looks Like in Action: Running and climbing in our natural outdoor spaces, washing hands independently, or practicing deep breathing when upset.
4. Learning
- What It Means in Plain English: Developing a curious mind. Learning how to solve problems, experiment and keep trying even when things are tough.
- What It Looks Like in Action: A child figuring out how to balance a tricky puzzle piece, or exploring magnets and water play in our discovery zones.
5. Communication
- What It Means in Plain English: Expressing thoughts, listening to stories and playing with early words, numbers and symbols.
- What It Looks Like in Action: Singing songs at morning circle time, pointing to pictures in a storybook, or drawing shapes in the sandpit.
How the Framework Shapes Our Daily Routine
The most important thing to know about the VEYLDF is that it champions play-based learning. It recognises that young children don’t learn by sitting at desks doing worksheets; they learn by doing, touching, tasting and exploring.
At Oakleigh Early Learning Journey, we structure our day to bring the framework to life naturally:
- Child-Led Discovery: If a group of our children shows a sudden fascination with dinosaurs, our educators don’t ignore it to stick to a rigid schedule. We lean into it. We might set up a dinosaur “fossil dig” in the sensory tray (Outcome 4: Learning) and read books about prehistoric creatures (Outcome 5: Communication).
- A Boutique, Safe Space: Because our service is intentionally boutique—featuring two separate, intimate buildings for our under-twos and our three-to-five kindergarteners—our educators truly know your child. This smaller, family-like environment makes it much easier for children to feel safe and secure (Outcome 1: Identity).
- Partnership with You: The VEYLDF places a massive emphasis on family. You are your child’s first and most important teacher. Our educators constantly share updates, photos and stories about your child’s milestones, ensuring that the learning happening at our centre connects beautifully with life at home.
A Joyful Start to Education
Ultimately, the VEYLDF is there to make sure your child’s early education is full of joy, respect and meaningful growth. It ensures that when they finally make the transition to primary school, they go with a full heart and a curious mind.
If you would like to see how our passionate team weaves the VEYLDF into our daily routine, we would love to welcome you for a visit. Reach out to the team at Oakleigh Early Learning Journey today to book a personalised tour of our classrooms and play spaces.