The Early Learning team as part of the Curriculum Early Years and Primary Learners unit provides schools with advice on:

• the national regulations and department policies to support the management and operation of department preschools
• early childhood pedagogy and curriculum
• transition to school
• Schools as Community Centres
• Australian Early Development Census.

The Early Learning team makes notifications to the regulatory authority on behalf of department preschools. The Early Learning team should be contacted in the event of:

• an incident involving serious illness, injury, trauma or urgent medical attention of a child while attending the preschool
• a child missing from the premises
• removal of a child in a way that breached the regulations
• a child is mistakenly locked in or out of the preschool
• attendance of emergency services
• allegations that physical or sexual abuse of a child has occurred while attending preschool
• if a complaint is made about the health or safety of a child
• proposed changes to the premises.

Early Learning contact details

• email – earlylearning@det.nsw.edu.au
• phone – 1300 083 698

Other enquiries:

• For information about enrolling a child in a department preschool or early intervention class, families can contact the school directly.
• For information about early childhood services in your local area, visit the Starting Blocks website.
• Private and community based early childhood services can contact the Early Childhood Education Directorate on 1800 619 113 for regulatory advice.