The Early Years Research Program seeks to identify key factors in the education and wellbeing of children  in the early years (0-8 years), acknowledging that early experience sets the foundation for lifelong learning, social participation and physical and mental health. Research in this program is informed by an ecological approach which asserts the importance of broader social contexts as well as the child's immediate learning environment. As such, the provision and integration of services (i.e. care, education and health) in supporting parents and other educators is one of the focus areas within the program.
Researchers in the program are known international leaders in Early Years research. Our researchers have leadership roles and networks in the OECD, WHO (Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children), British Council and UK Department of Education and Skills, Institute of Psychiatry, London, University of Oslo, University of London, Manchester Metropolitan University, University of Sheffield and Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
Our expertise in Early Years research and policy development is sought nationally academic and government/industry partners such as University of Western Australia, Curtain University, the national ARC network, Australian Alliance for Research into the Children and Youth, Commonwealth Department of Families and Community Services - Longitudinal Study of Australian Children, Commission for Children and Young People, The Department of Education and the Arts, Royal Children's Hospital Foundation and the Abused Child Trust.
The complex interplay of factors influencing learning and wellbeing in the Early Years is reflected in our leadership of cross-Faculty research. Research collaborations with the Faculties of Health, Law, Creative Industries and Business are a feature of the Early Years Program.
The Early Years Program aims to:
- lead internationally recognised research that promotes the welfare of families and children in the Early Years and beyond, recognising that the foundations of lifelong learning and wellbeing are established in the first 8 years of life.
- lead consultancies that promote excellence in early childhood education and care; understanding the significance of the Early Years for lifelong learning and wellbeing.
- direct high quality research training that offers a range of expertise in research design and methods, incorporating both numerical and textual data analysis, modelling multidisciplinary research teamwork, and benefiting from international expertise in international longitudinal studies, ethics.
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