Information and resources to help early childhood education and care (ECEC) services ensure every child can access, participate meaningfully in, and experience positive outcomes from ECEC.
On this page:
About inclusion
In an ECEC setting, inclusion means that every child can:
- access a service
- participate meaningfully
- experience positive outcomes.
Inclusion involves considering each child’s:
- learning styles
- first language
- cultural identity
- abilities
- disabilities
- gender
- sexual identity
- family circumstances
- geographic location.
Simply attending ECEC does not ensure inclusion. Inclusion happens when all children are seen as capable learners and valued contributors.
Inclusion is not about changing a child so that they fit into the care environment. It is about changing what we do so that all children can participate.
Your obligations
Inclusion is a human right. It’s also everybody’s responsibility.
All ECEC services must be inclusive.
You have a legal obligation to ensure inclusion at your service under:
- the National Quality Framework
- the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.
National Quality Framework
Equity, inclusion and diversity underpin the National Quality Framework (NQF).
The NQF:
- uses the terms each child, every child and all children to promote inclusion
- recognises all children as confident and capable learners with the capacity and right to succeed regardless of diverse circumstances, including strengths, cultural background and abilities.
All 7 National Quality Standard quality areas demonstrate the right of every child:
- to be included
- to participate
- to have equitable access.
The approved learning frameworks define inclusion as:
taking into account all children’s social, cultural and linguistic diversity (including learning styles, abilities, disabilities, gender, sexual identity, family circumstances and geographic location) in curriculum decision-making processes. The intent is to ensure that all children’s experiences are recognised and valued. The intent is also to ensure that all children have equitable access to resources and participation, and opportunities to demonstrate their learning and to value difference.
Learn more about the National Quality Framework
Disability Discrimination Act
The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) is a law that protects Australians from discrimination based on disability.
The DDA makes it unlawful to discriminate on the ground of a person’s disability. This includes discrimination that occurs in the context of accessing and participating in ECEC.
All ECEC services must comply with the DDA.
Learn more about the Disability Discrimination Act
Programs and initiatives
The following programs and initiatives can help you embed inclusive practices at your service.
ACECQA
The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) is the independent national authority that helps governments in administering the NQF.
ACECQA works with all levels of government to provide guidance, resources and services to support the ECEC sector and improve outcomes for all children.
Inclusion Support Program
If your service encounters barriers to inclusion, you can seek help through the Inclusion Support Program (ISP).
ISP is for services who need extra support to:
- address barriers to inclusion
- build capacity and capability to include children with additional needs
- implement quality, inclusive and equitable practices.
Inclusion Agencies in each state and territory deliver the program.
ISP is one of many supports available to help you embed inclusive practices. We encourage you to explore the programs and resources on this page before engaging with ISP.
If you need extra support, contact your local Inclusion Agency to get started with ISP.
Learn more about the Inclusion Support Program
Contact your local Inclusion Agency
Resources and training
The following resources and training can help you embed inclusive practices at your service.
ACECQA
ACECQA has resources to help you meet your obligations under the NQF and DDA.
ACT Education Directorate
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Education Directorate provides training for ECEC educators to support children affected by trauma.
AllPlay Learn
AllPlay Learn helps create inclusive education environments for children with disabilities and developmental challenges through online information, courses, and resources.
Amaze
Amaze is a support organisation for autistic people in Victoria. Amaze has a range of evidence-based resources to help ECEC educators create an inclusive learning environment.
Autism Queensland
In collaboration with the Queensland Government, Autism Queensland is working with kindergarten teachers and educators to creating inclusive learning environments for all neurodivergent and autistic children.
Autism SA
Autism South Australia (SA) provides early years support for ECEC educators in South Australia.
Autism Tasmania
Autism Tasmania offers professional learning and development workshops to help ECEC educators develop an inclusive learning environment.
Autism WA
Autism Western Australia (WA) has a range of resources for ECEC professionals to help support children with autism.
Department of Education
We have a toolkit for parents and caregivers of young children with disability. You may wish to share information about this toolkit with your families.
Department of Social Services
The Department of Social Services (DSS) has resources to support inclusion in ECEC.
Starting the conversation with families about children with developmental concerns
Supporting children with an NDIS plan in early childhood education
Early Childhood Australia
Early Childhood Australia (ECA) has free resources and professional learning to support inclusion in ECEC. These include courses, animations, podcasts, and e-books. We funded ECA to develop these resources.
Inclusion in early childhood – free resources and professional learning
Learning Links
Learning Links has a resource library of fact sheets, articles and videos for professionals with practical information and strategies to give the best possible support for children’s learning, development, communication and wellbeing.
National Disability Insurance Agency
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can help children with developmental delay or disability. You may wish to share information about the NDIS early childhood approach with families.
NSW Department of Education
The New South Wales (NSW) Department of Education has a range of resources about inclusive practice.
Reimagine Australia
Reimagine Australia has resources to help you provide inclusive support to children with disability or developmental delay. You can enrol for an inclusion e-learning program, download a toolkit and more.
Training.gov.au
Training.gov.au is the National Register of Vocational Education and Training (VET) in Australia. Learn about inclusion and diversity when you earn your qualifications in the following courses:
CHC30121 - Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
CHCECE030 - Support inclusion and diversity
CHCDIV001 - Work with diverse people
CHCECE054 - Encourage understanding of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples' cultures
Victorian Government
The Victorian Government has a range of resources for ECEC educators to support inclusion in ECEC.
Early Abilities Based Learning and Education Support (Early ABLES)