A free public lecture at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Port Macquarie on Wednesday 27 August will explore national policy and developments in the field of early childhood education. The CSU Explorations Series public lecture, titled 'The National Early Learning Framework and future directions in early childhood education', will be delivered by CSU Foundation Professor of Early Childhood Education, Jennifer Sumsion. "The last six years or seven years have seen unprecedented policy developments in Australia aimed at improving the quality of early childhood education," Professor Sumsion said. "How are we travelling as a country in terms of our educational provision for our youngest children, and what still needs to be tackled if we are to achieve one of the best education systems in the world?" The public lecture will be held from 5pm Wednesday 27 August at the Glasshouse Theatre, corner Clarence and Hay Streets, Port Macquarie. For more information, contact Ms Alison Woods on 6582 9334 or alwoods@csu.edu.au.