Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) Sounds the Alarm — Here’s How We Can Help Children Thrive.
- silvia2455
- Jul 9
- 3 min read
The recently released Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) paints a concerning but important picture: only 52.9% of children are developmentally on track when they begin school. That means nearly 1 in 2 children are starting their formal education journey already behind in one or more key areas.
But while the data is worrying, it also brings a vital message: what we do in early childhood settings really matters.
📊 What the AEDC Shows
The AEDC assessed nearly 300,000 children in their first year of full-time school, looking at five core areas of development:
Physical health and wellbeing
Social competence
Emotional maturity
Language and cognitive skills
Communication skills and general knowledge
Sadly, only 52.9% of children are on track in all five developmental areas.
The percentage of children facing significant developmental challenges has increased in nearly all areas since 2021.
Children from rural, low-income, non-English speaking, and First Nations backgrounds are disproportionately affected.
Children from non-English speaking backgrounds, First Nations families, rural communities, and low-income households were most at risk of being developmentally vulnerable..
💬 What Educators and Centres Can Do?
While national trends can feel overwhelming, change often starts locally — in classrooms, childcare centres, and community spaces.
Here are a few practical ways early learning professionals can respond:
1.Prioritise Play-Based Learning
Structured, curriculum-linked activities are valuable, but unstructured play helps children build social, emotional, and physical skills in powerful ways.
2.Integrate Movement and Mindfulness
Regular physical activity supports not only gross motor skills, but also emotional regulation and attention span. Yoga, dancing, and sports are great tools.
3.Nurture Language Through Daily Routines
Use everyday moments to build vocabulary — from meal times to outdoor play. Songs, storytelling, and conversation help develop both language and cognition.
4.Create Inclusive Spaces
Children who speak other languages or come from underrepresented backgrounds thrive when they feel seen and supported. Celebrate cultural diversity in simple, meaningful ways.
🖼️ It’s Time to Reframe “Childcare” as “Early Education”
Like ECKA’s Jo Geurts said, “Childcare isn’t just about minding children — it’s about education.”
When we refer to early learning simply as “childcare,” we unintentionally downplay its impact. We reduce it to supervision — when in reality, the early years are the foundation of human development.
Reframing childcare as early education means recognising that:
Learning begins well before formal schooling
Educators are not babysitters, but professionals shaping future minds
Play, relationships, and routine experiences lay the groundwork for cognitive, social, and emotional development
This shift in language isn’t just semantics — it’s a mindset change that influences how we fund, staff, and value early learning.
🌱 A Shared Responsibility
If nearly half of Australia’s children are starting school already behind, this isn’t just an education issue — it’s a national wellbeing issue. And the solution doesn’t rest solely on teachers or parents. It’s a shared responsibility — one that calls on all of us: educators, families, policymakers, and communities.
Because when we invest in early education — truly invest, with purpose and care — we’re not just helping children “catch up.”
We’re giving them the tools to thrive.
🌟 A Gentle Addition to Your Toolkit
At Little Champions, we support early learning centres by bringing developmentally aligned programs like Zumba, sports, yoga, art, and language classes directly into the childcare setting. Our aim is to complement your work, not replace it — providing extra opportunities for children to explore, grow, and thrive through movement and play.
Whether you work in a high-needs area or simply want to enrich your current offerings, we’re here to support you in building strong developmental foundations — one joyful session at a time.
Did you know? Little Champions is fully insured across our entire range of programs—giving you complete peace of mind when booking with us. Get in touch to learn more.
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