Qualitatsregulierung im australischen System fur fruhkindliche Bildung und Betreuung

Abstract

This article addresses the highly complex early childhood reform process in Australia from 2009 to the present day. First, the Australian early childhood context as well as the Australian political environment are introduced, particularly as these impact on the reform process. Second, the complex processes of quality regulation in Australian early childhood is described in a little detail. The reforms progressed through the development of a national early childhood quality agenda to the development of a range of activities and outcomes necessary to bring various states and territories together in a functioning partnership. Curricula were developed along with a quality assessment process which resulted in services being rated on the newly developed standards. Third, the impact of this massive political change on children's outcomes is depicted and the evaluations undertaken to examine the effectiveness and impact of the process are identified. Ultimately, the recent changes in quality regulation in Australian early childhood are discussed critically.