Early childhood education is inclusive of children from birth to eight years. CEQL’s Position Statement for Early Childhood Education (2024) is currently under review and provides Catholic School Authorities with direction in the development of services, policies and programs. The document acknowledges the quality of children’s early experiences – cognitive, physical, social, emotional, and spiritual has a profound impact on their future health, development, learning and wellbeing.
The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia (EYLF) provides support for early years educators in the implementation of effective early childhood programs. Download the Framework here.
The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) has developed the Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guideline to align with the Early Years Learning Framework. The Guideline provides early years teachers with advice for interacting with children, planning, monitoring and assessing, and sharing information in kindergarten contexts.
The Queensland Government has developed the Interim Early Childhood Development Programs and Services Good Practice Guidelines to provide guidance to Early Childhood Development Programs (ECDP) on how to design and deliver high-quality timely ECDP supports and services to help eligible children with disability or suspected disability transition to kindergarten and school.
CEQL's role in Catholic kindergartens
The Department of Education and Training (QDoE) has approved CEQL as a Central Governing Body (CGB) for the delivery of kindergarten services. CEQL CGB administers Queensland Government funding through four delegated Catholic agencies that support the provision of quality and inclusive early childhood education programs.
Central Governing Body membership
After a kindergarten has been approved by DET as a Kindergarten Program Provider it must be a member of a CGB to receive government funding. The CEQL CGB membership application form, completed by an authorised delegated Catholic agency representative, is submitted to CEQL on behalf of the kindergarten service.
Kindergartens seeking membership of CEQL CGB that are not located on a Catholic school/parish site need to contact directly the relevant delegated Catholic agency. The Catholic agency may choose to negotiate a Service Agreement with the kindergarten service.
A CEQL CGB Membership Certificate will be issued when an application is approved by the CEQL Chief Executive Officer.
Early entry to Prep
The following documents provide guidance on the provisions for early entry to the Prep :
Early entry to Prep – Queensland Early Entry to Prep Framework
Early Entry to Prep – Considerations and application process
Kindergarten Fact Sheets
Kindy Fact Sheet: Supporting children