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2012 AEDI results

The AEDI is a population measure of

early childhood development

Background to the AEDI

The Australian Early Development Index (AEDI)

•is an Australian adaptation of the Canadian Early Development Instrument (EDI)

•piloted in Australia in 60 communities between 2004 and 2008

•is endorsed by the COAG (Council of Australian Governments) as a national progress measure of early childhood development

•had its first national roll-out in 2009

•had its second national roll-out in 2012.

Adapting the AEDI for Australia

The AEDI Indigenous Adaptation Study ensures relevance and sensitivity to the needs of Australian Indigenous children.

The AEDI Language Diversity Study was initiated in 2008 to review the AEDI implementation process, results and data usage for culturally and linguistically diverse populations.

What does the AEDI measure?

Physical health and wellbeing

Social competence

Emotional maturity

Language and cognitive skills (school-based)

Communication skills and general knowledge

Funding the AEDI

• Australian Government funded program (DEEWR).

• DEEWR has made a commitment to collect AEDI data every three years.

• There is an investment of $28 million per collection cycle.

How is information collected?

Teachers complete an online checklist on each child.

The checklist is part of a secure, web-based data entry system.

Is it a valid measure?

AEDI relies on teachers’ professional expertise―this has been demonstrated

to be a valid and reliable way of measuring children's development.

Where can I find the results?

AEDI results are publicly reported via:

– National report

– Online maps

– Community Profiles

– School Profiles.

What is included in the AEDI results?

• demographic information on children

• proportion of children on track, at risk and developmentally vulnerable

• proportion of children developmentally vulnerable on the summary indicators.

The AEDI results give communities a picture of

early childhood developmental outcomes

How can I use the AEDI results?

Communities and governments can use the AEDI to:

• raise awareness of the importance of children’s early years

• plan initiatives to support early child development

• create and strengthen community networks to explore new ways of working together to ensure children get the best start

• support more effective use of resources, such as playgroups, health centres and libraries.

The AEDI does not:

• score individual children as developmentally vulnerable, developmentally at risk or on track

• identify if individual children have specific learning disabilities

• recommend specific teaching approaches for individual children

• reflect performance of the school or quality of teaching.

The AEDI provides the information to help us

build and strengthen our communities for our

children and Australia

www.aedi.org.au