The 2015 Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) has begun collecting information to provide a snapshot of early childhood development in Australia.

Senator the Hon Scott Ryan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education and Training, said that teachers across the nation will be asked to record information based on their observations of each child in their first year of full-time school.

“It is important to provide the right level and types of support to children, their families, child care providers, schools and communities.

“To do this effectively, research and evidence are needed so that we know what is working well and what could be done better. The AEDC provides part of this information.”

The census collects information on five areas of early childhood development:

  • physical health and wellbeing
  • social competence
  • emotional maturity
  • language and cognitive skills
  • communication skills and general knowledge.

“This is the third time the census has been conducted. The census has already provided us data from 2009 and 2012. To date, data of over 550,000 children has been recorded,” Senator Ryan said.

“This year’s data collection will add to existing data to be made available to communities, schools, policy makers, early childhood educators, health services, local councils and governments.

The AEDC is a joint initiative between the Australian Government and state and territory governments; the Social Research Centre; the Telethon Kids Institute, Perth; and the Centre for Community Child Health, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne.

Data will be collected throughout the second term of the school year. Results of the data will be made available in March 2016.

Further information on the Australian Early Development Census can be found at www.aedc.gov.au.