ABSTRACT
In Australia, the early childhood years are taken to span a child’s life from birth to 8 years. This means that early childhood education and care (ECEC) encompasses contexts prior to school and the early years of primary school. Kindergarten provides an ECEC program for children in the 2–5 years age group prior to the commencement of formal schooling. It is sometimes referred to as preschool. Historically, the German pedagogue Fröebel focused on children learning through play, and the name literally translates to ‘garden for children’. Participation in child care in Australia has increased significantly over the past two decades with over a million children attending prior-to-school early childhood services. A curriculum is planned learning that is guided by educators.
