This paper discusses the history of early childhood education in Australia, areas of change in contemporary early childhood education, and the philosophical bases of education. The paper also offers suggestions for the future. From 1880 until 1950, Australian children's services consisted of philanthropic enterprises. The period from 1950 to 1970 witnessed the growth of community-managed services. Since 1970, the government has become much more involved in early childhood education. Today, educators must consider several areas of change in society: (1) the changing role of the family; (2) changes in the work force and the nature of employment; and (3) the growing dependence of society on technology. Although early childhood services had their genesis in the work of eighteenth and nineteenth century philosophers, the work of later theorists has more relevance for current early childhood education. Curtis, for example, discusses the self-awareness and social skills that contemporary curricula should develop in children. A curriculum of skills is recommended. To achieve the goals of the curriculum, early childhood programs should: (1) preserve the concept of childhood; (2) be individualized and flexible; (3) enlist the cooperation of parents; and (4) be revised to keep pace with the changing needs of children. A bibliography containing 47 items is included. (BC)