Subject guides: Education & Curriculum Studies: Early Childhood Education

Library searching

1. Prepare your search

analyse your topic, identify key terms and synonyms
list the keywords/phrases that describe your concepts
if needed, consult a dictionary or thesaurus for synonyms

2. Conduct your Search

type your keyword/s into Advanced Search to find books, articles, journals and book chapters on your topic.
refine your results using the options on left
not finding enough material? click on Expand my results to find items in other libraries

Library Advanced Search

Specialist encyclopedias

Encyclopedia on Early Childhood Development
Freely available web resource, also includes links to Information Sheets, various language interfaces.

The SAGE Encyclopedia of Contemporary Early Childhood Education by Donna Couchenour (Editor); J. Kent Chrisman (Editor)
Publication Date: 2016
The Sage encyclopedia of children and childhood studies by Thomas, Daniel, editor.
Call Number: eBook 4 volume set
Publication Date: 2020
Encyclopedia of infant and early childhood development. by Benson, Janette B. editor
Call Number: on order
Publication Date: 2020

Journals - early childhood

Click on a Journal title below, then Search inside the journal for your keywords.

Australasian journal of early childhood
Contemporary issues in early childhood
Early childhood research & practice: ECRP
Early years
European early childhood education research journal
International journal of early childhood education research.
International research in early childhood education (IRECE)
Open Access
Journal of early childhood literacy
Journal of early childhood research ECR
Journal of early intervention
from Council for Exceptional Children
More early childhood education journals
from the Library collections

Key Databases - Early Childhood Education

A+ Education via Informit Online (1978 - present)
An essential resource that provides access to information on all aspects of Australian education.

Terms & Conditions (pdf)
ERIC : Educational Resources Information Center (1966 - present) via Proquest
via OvidSP
via WEB
via Ebsco
Important database for education
References journal articles and unpublished documents on educational theory and practice. Indexes research on education policy and practice in development contexts.
PsycINFO via Ovid (1806-present)
Useful for education research and topics relating to cognition, learning, intelligence, assessment, child development, attitudes, beliefs and behaviours.

Terms & conditions
Family: Australian Family & Society Abstracts Database via Informit Online (1980 - present)
Comprehensive index and abstracts database which covers research, policy and practice issues about, or of relevance to, Australian families.

Terms & conditions

More Education Databases...
A list of databases covering Education and Curriculum studies topics.
Multi-subject Databases
Start with Proquest Central, Change Database from the menu to select relevant database files for your search.

Early Childhood Statistics

Early Childhood - Data and Research
NSW Government site. Links to various datasets relating to the Early Childhood Education Sector including the Annual Preschool Census, ACECQA Snapshots, ABS and more.
ABS statistical publications for early childhood education
ABS is the premier statistical agency in Australia.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare AIHW
Australian Government Site, includes statistics and reports on health and welfare for all age and social groups in Australia.
ABS Census products
Search by geography by entering the name of a suburb or city in the Quickstats or Community Profiles search, for more information about ABS data contact your librarian christine.tennent@sydney.edu.au
Australian Early Development Census Resources
A source of research snapshots and trends in EC in Australia
UNICEF - Early Childhood Statistics
International statistics and key country specific information

APA Style

APA Style
A range of resources including Academic Writer APA Style Central, Publication manual of the American Psychological Association 7th ed, the Library's APA style handout (PDF)

Curriculum resources collection

The Curriculum Collection is a specialist collection of textbooks, novels, toys, picture books and posters that can be used in the classroom or for lesson planning. The collection supports teaching and classroom practice from Early Childhood through to Year 12. Please visit the collection on level 5 of Fisher (on the right as you walk in) and feel free to borrow as many items as you wish. If you have suggestions for curriculum collection please email christine.tennent@sydney.edu.au

Featured resource

Oxford Wordlist

Quick Links

Getting started in the Library - for new students
New to the Library? This page provides you with information about the services the Library offers to help you be successful in your studies.
'Discover' videos
Pace yourself through these videos to develop your library, research and writing skills.
Access your Unit of Study readings
Your readings should be available from your Canvas learning platform. Please ask at the Information Desk in Fisher about 2 hour loan items or about items on your reading list that you are having trouble finding.
Advanced Search
Advanced Search provides access to the University’s print and online collections using a single platform. When you use library search it is recommended you log in with your unikey and password. Do you need more help? Ask at the Information Desk in Fisher or call 9351 2993.
Student Cards
Your student card is your library card. It is also the card you will use to access Fisher, Law, The Quarter and Bosch Commons 24/7. This card is not transferable so never lend it to anyone and report lost student cards to the Card Centre.
My Account at the Library
My Account - to see what you have on loan, track requests, view and pay fines.
Borrowing rules
Loans are for 12 weeks with up to 4 automatic renewals unless the item is recalled. Fines may accrue on recalled items and also on selected overdue items. Fine notices are sent to your MyUni email address. At the end of the calendar year (December) fines (if your total is under $30) are waived from your library record.
Borrow from another library
You are eligible for loans from other libraries. Ask at the Information Desk in Fisher if you need help with requesting items.
ICT on Campus
Phone ICT on 9351 6000 or visit the ICT staff at the Fisher Information desk if you are having problems with your unikey or need it reset. Please make sure you keep up to date with your MyUni email, library notices are sent to this box. The ICT on campus page has information about how to redirect your MyUni email to another email address.
Finding your way around Campus
Use this site to search for buildings or amenities on campus. Research the location in advance of your class or exam.
APA Style
The standard for citation in the School of Education & Social Work is APA Style. Familiarise yourself with this writing and citation style by exploring the links. 'Academic Writer APA Style Central' is the premier resource for teaching yourself APA Style.
Endnote
All current staff and students have access to the Endnote software. Ask the ICT staff at Fisher Information Desk for help with downloading the software.

Streamed Media Resources

Academic Video Online Premium via Alexander St
A vast collection including audio & print. It includes every kind of video material available with curricular relevance: documentaries, interviews, performances, news programs and newsreels, field recordings, commercials, and raw footage. Collections include anthropology, psychology, film makers, LGBT, dance and music, education, current affairs,and history.
Available in 2017

More Streamed Media Resources - Films, TV
Including Kanopy, TV News, music and more! Unikey required.

Weblinks - Early Childhood, Australia

Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority
ACECQA works with all governments to provide guidance, resources and services to support the sector to improve outcomes for children.
Early Childhood Education/ NSW Government
The Early Childhood Education Directorate monitors, supports and regulates early childhood education services in NSW.
Universal Access to Early Childhood Education
Australian Federal Government Website, includes policy documents.
A critical review of the early childhood literature
Australian Institute of Family Studies 2016
Department of Education and Training - Early Childhood and Child Care
Federal Department of Education, and Training policies, resources and programs in early childhood education.
Early Childhood Australia
Peak early childhood advocacy organisation.
Kindergarten Union (KU)
KU is one of Australia’s largest and leading providers of preschools, childcare and other early education services, and is not for profit.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Early Childhood Sector Advisory Group Inc. (ATSIECSAG)
The peak advisory body in NSW for Aboriginal Early Childhood Education and contributes to the successful transition to school for Aboriginal children.
Raising Children
Provides evidence-based, scientifically validated information about raising children and caring for yourself as a parent or carer.

Weblinks - Early Childhood, International

British Association for Early Childhood Education
Centre for Research in Early Childhood (UK)
Childcare & Early Education - Research Connections
US website compiled and maintained by early education research organizations and universities.
Institute of Education (UK)
University College London
National Children's Bureau (UK)
Early years (UK Govt)
UNESCO - Early Childhood Care and Education
World Bank Early Child Development