New findings from the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC): Implications for policy and practice in NSW

New findings from the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC): Implications for policy and practice in NSW

Tuesday 26 August 2025 12:30pm-1:30pm AEST , online via MS Teams

Hosted by Family and Community Services Insights, Analysis and Research (FACSIAR) in collaboration with the NSW Department of Education.

Details

The Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) collects data on five key areas, or ‘domains’, of early childhood development: physical and mental wellbeing, social competence, emotional maturity, language and cognitive skills, communication skills and general knowledge. Early childhood is a time of rapid development that provides the foundation for lifelong health and wellbeing. Understanding how children are faring helps to ensure the right kinds of services, supports and resources are available to help children and families thrive. The AEDC data has informed key initiatives and policies such as the Closing the Gap Target for First Nations children and The Early Years Strategy. It also provides valuable community level data to inform practitioners and providers working in early intervention and family strengthening programs, as well as child protection and out-of-home care.

In this FACSIAR Lunch and Learn webinar, Dr Mary Taiwo, AEDC NSW state Coordinator with NSW Department of Education, will present the 2024 AEDC findings for NSW and share how they can be used by practitioners and policy staff. She will explain how the data is collected and how it can be accessed, and share key outcomes from the 2024 AEDC for NSW. Mary will also present case studies that show AEDC data has been successfully used in the early years context. Lauren Anderson and Toni Kember from the NSW Department of Education will discuss the broader implications of the AEDC findings and how they are informing changes to key educational policies and programs including early learning environments and the Brighter Beginnings program.

The webinar will be chaired by Dr Jessica Stewart, Executive Director, FACSIAR, Department of Communities and Justice

Join us to learn more about:

New findings from the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC): Implications for policy and practice in NSW

Presentation from:

• Dr Mary Taiwo - AEDC NSW state Coordinator, NSW Department of Education

Discussion with:

• Toni Kember - Director Early learners, Public early childhood education and care (ECEC), Early Childhood Outcomes, NSW Department of Education

• Lauren Anderson – Director Early Childhood Development, Early Childhood Outcomes, NSW Department of Education

Questions or comments?

Contact: ResearchPartnerships@dcj.nsw.gov.au