Excellence in Television for Young Children—Entertainment, Engagement and Empowerment

The notion of excellence in early childhood education is increasingly recognised as both subjective and problematic. The search for excellence can be, however, a motivating force for those committed to providing experiences that enrich and enhance the lives of young children within diverse Australian communities. This commitment is shared by the production team of the Australian television program, Play School. Play School seeks to achieve excellence by providing a program that not only entertains but also engages and empowers the young child as a creative, curious and capable participant. This paper provides an overview of the exploration of excellence within the development of the Play School program. The notion of the continuum ‘from entertainment, to engagement, to empowerment’ is explored as it impacts on the processes and production behind the scenes and program content of ABC Play School.