The changing landscape of early childhood curriculum: empowering pre-service educators to engage in curriculum reform

This chapter focuses on the changes that have occurred in early childhood education (ECE) in Victoria, Australia. This chapter offers an insight into the complex nature of curriculum change and the way in which educators are coping with the changes in ECE. It has been acknowledged that educators need to understand the ever-changing context of the field, the shifting theory and discourses and the influences that society, politics and research have in its evolution. These changes have impacted the educators in their teaching and learning. This is important for pre-service and new educators, as they need to learn to engage in teaching and learning within these new contexts, and the ever-changing landscape of the field. To demonstrate the significance of change in ECE, educational change theories are used to explore ways of engaging effectively in meaningful change.