The EYLF learning outcomes, explained simply

The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) learning outcomes are five broad guidelines designed to support and assess the development of children from birth to five years in Australia. These outcomes help early childhood educators plan play-based programs that foster children’s identity, community connection, wellbeing, confidence, and communication.

Understanding the framework in play-based learning

In Australian early childhood education, the framework serves as a guide for early childhood educators to design play-based programs. Play-based learning is the primary vehicle for growth in the kindy years, helping children develop social skills and physical coordination naturally. Instead of structured lessons, learning happens through curiosity and guided discovery.

By focusing on five core outcomes, educators can observe and document growth without restricting a child’s natural play. This guide explains these outcomes in simple language to help both educators and parents coordinate their efforts. You can find more practical pedagogical resources in our professional guides section.

Children have a strong sense of identity

EYLF Outcome 1 focuses on building self-esteem, independence, and a sense of safety. When children feel secure and supported by early childhood educators, they are more willing to explore, express emotions, and try new tasks. Developing a strong sense of identity helps children build resilience and confidence in their own abilities.

An everyday example of this is when a child in a kindy room chooses to hang up their own bag on their labeled hook, then proudly shows their educator a drawing they completed without assistance. The educator acknowledges their effort, reinforcing their growing independence and self-worth.

Children are connected with and contribute to their world

EYLF Outcome 2 is about relationships, community, and respect for diversity and the environment. Children learn to share space, collaborate with peers, and understand that their actions affect others and the natural world around them. Contributing to their world helps children develop empathy and civic responsibility.

An everyday example occurs during outdoor play when group members work together to water the vegetable garden or tidy up a shared block area. This collaborative effort helps children learn responsibility, fairness, and how to be active contributors to their classroom community.

Children have a strong sense of wellbeing

EYLF Outcome 3 includes both physical health and emotional happiness. This outcome covers gross and fine motor skills, self-regulation, hygiene, and a positive mindset toward challenges. Fostering wellbeing helps children develop a strong foundation for future learning and social interaction.

An everyday example is when an educator guides a child through deep breathing exercises after a minor disagreement over a toy, helping them recognize and manage their frustration. Additionally, activities like molding playdough or using safety scissors help build hand strength and physical coordination.

Children are confident and involved learners

EYLF Outcome 4 celebrates curiosity, problem-solving, imagination, and persistence. Confident learners are willing to experiment, fail, and try again, showing a genuine enthusiasm for learning and exploration. Early childhood educators support this by providing environments that encourage open-ended play and experimentation.

An everyday example is when a preschool child tries to build a tall tower with wooden blocks. When the tower falls over, the child stops, reorganizes the base blocks to make the structure sturdier, and tries again.

Children are effective communicators

EYLF Outcome 5 includes spoken language, non-verbal cues, literacy, numeracy, and creative expression. Children learn to express their own thoughts, listen to others, and engage with symbols, patterns, and texts in their environment. Developing strong communication skills is vital for building relationships and understanding the world.

An everyday example occurs during group time when children take turns describing their weekend activities using full sentences, while their peers practice active listening and ask questions about the stories.

Planning play-based kindy programs

While the framework divides development into five areas, children experience many of these outcomes simultaneously during play. A single activity can support multiple developmental areas. For example, a water play activity develops physical coordination through pouring, communication as children talk, and mathematics as they compare container sizes.

By focusing on these areas, early childhood educators can design balanced lesson plans using early childhood resources. If you are looking for specific ideas that align with these learning areas, you can explore our curated list of early learning topics to find play-based resources that support these outcomes.

Explore the full EYLF framework for an overview of all five outcomes.

Supporting early learning with Superbuddy

Helping children build these foundational skills is a shared effort. Find age-appropriate resources in our guide for parents.

At Superbuddy, we offer a growing library of resources, including lesson plans, tasksheets, and week packages designed for children aged 2 to 6. Our materials are organized across six learning domains, including early literacy, to make early childhood education straightforward. You can start with a free account, which includes five download credits per month.