Early Years Assessment and Learning Tool (EYALT)

Introduction to the Early Years Assessment and Learning Tool

The Early Years Assessment and Learning Tool (EYALT) is an online resource co-designed with early childhood teachers to help understand each child's unique strengths, interests, and abilities. Whether you're new or experienced, EYALT is a valuable tool for all early childhood professionals.

It helps by:

• documenting interactions to understand each child better
• showing how children progress in their learning over time
• integrating seamlessly with daily teaching practices
• generating evidence for informed discussions with school teachers
• improving observations and assessments for intentional teaching
• supporting continuity of learning during transitions to school.

Go to the tool

Watch this video for an overview of the EYALT.

Access for 2025 and support packages

Applications for early childhood services to use the EYALT from 2025 are closed. Thank you to all who applied and welcome to all new services.

Services onboarding in 2025 will receive a support package to use the EYALT, including:

• a flexible grant of up to $3,150 (ex GST) to support activities required to implement and embed use of the EYALT in the early years planning cycle
• access to a range of EYALT specific professional learning events and resources, including EYALT drop-in sessions
• dedicated practice support through Kindergarten Improvement Advisors in your department area
• written guidance and technical support, including instructional videos in the EYALT itself.

Services already approved to use EYALT in 2023 or 2024 will continue to be supported to use EYALT in 2025, with access to all the 2025 professional learning and through their local department area. They will not be eligible for funding in this grant round.

Please see professional learning for 2025 for the link to an up-to-date list of departmentally funded professional learning options on offer to EYALT users.

For more information on the support package, refer to the 2025 Early Years Assessment and Learning Tool funding guidelines:

• Early Years Assessment and Learning Tool funding guidelines (PDF, 141KB)(opens in a new window)
• Early Years Assessment and Learning Tool funding guidelines (DOCX, 85KB)(opens in a new window)

Roll-out and development information

Read the report to learn more about the exciting next steps for the EYALT. Discover how it was developed with input from over 300 early childhood teachers and educators, drawing on data from 5,000+ child observations in 150+ services.

• Early Years Assessment and Learning Tool report (PDF, 8MB)(opens in a new window)
• Early Years Assessment and Learning Tool report (DOCX, 827KB)(opens in a new window)

How EYALT works

The EYALT contains 8 modules aligned with the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF) and the Victorian Curriculum. Each module focuses on different aspects of a child's development.

The 8 modules are:

1. ‘Identity and community - social’ is about children communicating their wants and needs, playing alongside each other, and developing relationships.
2. ‘Wellbeing - emotions’ is about children feeling good about themselves and expressing their emotions during play.
3. ‘Learning dispositions’ is about how children might show curiosity, ask questions, or show perseverance.
4. ‘Communication - interactions’ is about eye contact, gestures, and attention.
5. ‘Communication - symbols and texts’ is about children recognising signs or text.
6. ‘Learning and communication - numeracy’ is about numbers and maths concepts.
7. ‘Wellbeing – movement’ is about children’s motor skill development.
8. ‘Learning and identity - thinking skills’ is about children being curious and inquiring about their world.

In each module, educators respond to a series of questions which draw on the child’s existing knowledge. When complete, the EYALT generates a Learning Report showcasing the child's strengths and interests.

Watch this video to hear about a teacher’s real experiences with using EYALT.

How EYALT aligns with the VEYLDF

The EYALT is part of our $22 million effort to support quality practice. It enhances best practices following the VEYLDF Practice Principle: Assessment for Learning and Development.

The EYALT helps teachers and educators to consistently observe and assess children’s learning. This is key for planning and delivering quality kindergarten programs. It sets up every child for success in learning.

The EYALT helps teachers and co-educators observe with focus and teach with intention. It provides a clear and systematic way to understand and assess children’s abilities.

Importantly, the EYALT is not an interview or a test. It’s a tool that teaching teams can use to better understand each child’s strengths, interests, and abilities. This helps them plan what the child should learn about next. The tool uses observations of children and encourages reflection on the learning process.

The EYALT and the national Preschool Outcomes Measure

The Australian Government has recently released information about a new tool called the Preschool Outcomes Measure, including new national learning progressions.

States and territories may choose to try out the new national tool in future or use an existing tool, such as the EYALT. In Victoria, the EYALT remains the approved tool, and its use continues to be voluntary. The department expects in the future to align the EYALT to the national learning progressions as they are finalised.

Find about more about the Preschool Outcomes Measure.(opens in a new window)

Professional learning resources

Assessment and the planning cycle practice videos

Explore 8 videos for quality assessment and observation in early childhood education. Aligned with the EYALT’s modules, each video highlights everyday assessment practices and guides using the EYALT in the Early Years Planning Cycle.

Using assessment tools in early childhood

Insights from a panel discussion on Assessment for Learning at the Early Childhood Australia National Conference 2021.

Professional learning for 2025

This year's professional learning program builds on previous success and introduces tailored sessions to meet your needs. Highlights include:

• Introductory Sessions: Designed for educators and early childhood services new to EYALT, these new sessions provide foundational knowledge and practical guidance.
• Communities of Practice: Collaborate and share insights with peers in dedicated forums, focusing on topics such as EYALT in the planning cycle, teaching strategies, and transition learning and development statements.
• Coaching Sessions: Access personalised coaching to refine your practice and integrate EYALT more effectively into your curriculum.
• Q&A Drop-In Sessions: Flexible, live support sessions for educators needing real-time guidance on EYALT implementation.

Register for Professional Learning: Register for the above sessions & explore the complete 2025 professional learning schedule by visiting https://www.semannslattery.com/eyalt/

Support for Professional Learning

All services registered to use EYALT are invited to attend. All sessions are online only, to make it easier to attend.

Please note that funding is only available to services new to EYALT in 2025.

Each newly enrolled service will receive grant funding of up to $3,150 (excl. GST) to support a number of activities, including backfill to attend these sessions. Please refer to the 2025 EYALT Funding Guidelines

Getting Started

• Register for Sessions: Early registration is encouraged to secure your spot. Details can be found at https://www.semannslattery.com/eyalt/
• EYALT support: EYALT guidance materials, including log-in guides, how to videos, technical guides and instructions, can be found under the ‘Guidance Materials’ tab within the EYALT platform. For additional EYALT support and queries services can contact the EYALT helpdesk at early.years.assessment@education.vic.gov.au
• Stay Informed: The department will provide additional updates throughout Term 1, but early planning and registration are strongly encouraged to maximise your 2025 assessment learning journey.