The current article provides an overview of the Australian Federal Government initiatives in the area of early childhood with regard to the provision of early childhood education and care. Recent Australian policies, reforms, and curriculum documents show there is an increasing need for educators to recognise the social, cultural and political influences on teaching and learning. These changes have influenced a Western Australian university to develop an innovative birth to 8 years preservice educator education curriculum. The program redesign at Curtin University is one example of a way in which academics involved in program development at universities can interpret policy, recognize change and act on this change by reforming and implementing appropriate courses of study.