The Australasian Journal of Early Childhood (AJEC) has had a long and noteworthy history and continues to disseminate information relating to children from birth to eight years in order to encourage critical debate amongst the early childhood field, both in Australia and worldwide.
The journal's ongoing success in this aim is a result of the tireless, devoted work of a long line of respected early childhood professionals who have contributed to AJEC – as editors, authors, reviewers, committee members etc.
The role of the journal in the early childhood field:
The history of the Australasian Journal of Early Childhood is closely linked to that of its sponsor organisation, Early Childhood Australia (ECA). As its scholarly journal, AJEC has existed as the flagship publication of the organisation, providing a platform for its continued advocacy work in the early childhood field.
The Australasian Journal of Early Childhood currently stands as the world's longest-running major early childhood journal.
Name changes
Just as Early Childhood Australia has survived through a number of name changes over the decades – from the Australian Pre-School Association (APA), to the Australian Early Childhood Association (AECA), to Early Childhood Australia (ECA) – the journal has also undergone name changes.
From 1960 to today
The journal was first published in August 1960, as the Australian Pre-School Quarterly (APQ), by the Australian Pre-School Association (APA).
The first issue of the Australian Journal of Early Childhood appeared in March 1975 – only months after APQ had produced its last issue, in August-November 1974. Since that time, AJEC has served the early childhood community as Australasia's foremost scholarly journal in the field. AJEC acknowledges the breadth and diversity of those studying and working within the early childhood field, and to reflect this, in 2009 the journal changed its name to the Australasian Journal of Early Childhood. The name change demonstrates the journal's continuing commitment to its diverse readers and authors and its intention to address and stimulate international early childhood debate.
Manjula Waniganayake's introductory article to the 40th Birthday Edition of the Australian Journal of Early Childhood (Vol. 26 No. 1, March 2001), Transient times and nurturing the pride of the profession, is a comprehensive overview of the first 40 years of the journal.
The article examines the changing social and political landscape of Australia and how this has been an influence on the nature of AJEC and how, in turn, AJEC and APQ have influenced the early childhood field.
Click here to read the full article (pdf).
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