This text describes curriculum guidelines that provide a set of principles that should form the basis for curriculum decision making in early childhood centers in Australia. The guidelines also make explicit some of the social and educational values that underpin the development, implementation, and evaluation of curricula. The guidelines are organized into eight sections. In each section, the key principles that should be taken into account when a curriculum is designed are specified, and a rationale for the principles is provided. In some sections, issues relevant to the section's topic are examined. Section topics are: (1) professional responsibilities; (2) developmentally appropriate practice; (3) equity of access and participation; (4) cultural and racial equality, particularly for Koori children and children from non-English speaking backgrounds; (5) gender and equality; (6) developmental delay/physical impairment and equality; (7) geographic location and equality; and (8) transition to school. A program evaluation checklist that covers each of the topics considered in the curriculum guide is included. A reference list of more than 100 items is provided. (BC)