The Australian Government is moving ahead with its plan to develop a national Early Years Learning Framework with a symposium to be held in Canberra on 28 and 29 May.
Representatives from federal, state and territory governments, peak organisations and early childhood education experts will begin work on determining the principles and components of the framework.
"The development of an Early Years Learning Framework is an important step towards realising the Australian Government’s vision of high-quality, integrated, accessible and affordable care and education for young children," Ms McKew said.
"It will be Australia’s first national early childhood framework for children with the aim of ensuring a seamless transition into formal schooling."
The framework will inform the development of the new national Quality Standards that will provide nationally consistent standards for early childhood settings across Australia.
"The Early Years Learning Framework will need to be suited to the Australian learning environment and will take into account the diversity of our nation and our communities," Ms McKew said.
"Our goal is to build a learning framework that is locally valid, nationally embraced and internationally recognised.
"This will be accomplished through an extensive process of consultation and cooperation with all stakeholders."
The symposium will be facilitated by a Monash University consortium and will present a discussion paper on quality learning and development for young children.