New toolkit to support quality inclusive practice

A new Inclusion Ready Toolkit has been developed to help approved providers, service leaders and educators strengthen inclusive practice and support every child's right to participate, belong and thrive in an early childhood education and care service.

All children and their families have the right to feel welcome and to participate in an inclusive early childhood education and care service, regardless of their circumstances, strengths, gender, culture, capabilities, or diverse ways of doing and being. 

Developed by ACECQA on behalf of the Australian Government Department of Education and informed by researchers and academics, the toolkit supports reflection, professional learning and continuous improvement. It includes:

• a practice guide
• self-assessment and other reflection tools
• eLearning modules
• professional development resources, including information and tip sheets. 

These practical resources have been designed to help services meet their existing responsibilities under the National Quality Framework and relevant disability legislation with confidence. Real scenarios and practical strategies can be applied straight away in routines, transitions, environments and interactions.

The toolkit was informed by a consortium led by Griffith University in partnership with Macquarie University and Queensland University of Technology. It was shaped through extensive consultation with children’s education and care peak associations and the sector, organisations representing diverse families and expert inclusion practitioners. It was tested through a 6-month supported trial in 2025–26 involving 22 services from every state and territory. 

Resources for families are available on StartingBlocks.gov.au, providing plain language information to help families understand inclusive practice and their rights.

The Inclusion Ready Toolkit is now available on the ACECQA website: Inclusive Capability.