The Centre worked with the Telethon Kids Institute to produce the AEDC Data Story series, a series drawing on the 2021 AEDC data to reveal how children are faring at school entry and where efforts could be focused to help ensure all children thrive.

In 2021, the fifth Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) was undertaken with 305,015 children in their first year of full-time school. The Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) is a nationwide measure of early childhood development that shines a light on what is working well and where we have more work to do.

Each Data Story in the series considers trends and how AEDC data can inform priorities, policies and practice to improve outcomes for children.

Explore the AEDC Data Story Series:

• Data Story 1: Parents and carers guide
• Data Story 2: National trends in child development
• Data Story 3: How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected children?
• Data Story 4: How can we improve equity in early childhood?
• Data Story 5: Developmentally on track on five domains (OT5)
• Data Story 6: School-based language and cognitive skills

Since 2002, the Australian Government has worked in partnership with eminent child health research institutes, The Centre for Community Child Health at The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, and the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, and the Telethon Kids Institute, Perth to deliver the Australian Early Development Census program to communities nationwide. The Australian Government continues to work with its partners, and with state and territory governments to implement the AEDC.