National Quality Framework

National Quality Framework

National Framework“The objectives of the National Quality Framework are:

  • to ensure the safety, health and wellbeing of children attending education and care services
  • to improve the educational and developmental outcomes for children attending education and care services
  • to promote continuous improvement in the provision of quality education and care services
  • to establish a system of national integration and shared responsibility between participating jurisdictions and the Commonwealth in the administration of the National Quality Framework
  • to improve public knowledge and access to information about the quality of education and care services
  • to reduce the regulatory and administrative burden for education and care services by enabling information to be shared between participation jurisdictions and the Commonwealth”.

The National Quality Framework includes:
A National Legislative Framework which consists of:

  • the Education and Care Services National Law
  • the Educational and Care Service Regulations

The National Quality Standard consists of seven Quality Areas:

  • Educational program and practice
  • Children’s health and safety
  • Physical environment
  • Staffing arrangements
  • Relationships with children
  • Collaborative partnerships with families and communities
  • Governance & Leadership.

The national body ACECQA (Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority) oversees the system and guides its implementation in a nationally consistent way.
The regulatory authority EECSRSBSA (Education and Early Childhood Services Registration and Standard Board of South Australia) has the primary responsibility for the approval, monitoring and quality assessment of services in South Australia in accordance with the national legislative framework and in relation to the National Quality Standard.

The Homestead was assessed under the National Quality Standard on October 2012 and assessed as “Meeting National Quality Standards

  1. Educational Program and Practice  – Meeting National Quality Standards
    1. An approved learning Framework informs the development of a curriculum that enhances each child’s learning and development
    2. Educators and coordinators are focused, active and reflective in designing and delivering the program for each child
  2. Children’s Health and Safety -Working Towards National Quality Standards
    1. Each child’s health is promoted
    2. Healthy eating and physical activity are embedded in the program for children
    3. Each child is protected
  3. Physical Environment – Meeting National Quality Standards
    1. The design and location of the premises is appropriate for the operation of a service
    2. The environment is inclusive, promotes competence, independent exploration and leaning through play
    3. The service takes an active role in caring for its environment and contributes to a sustainable future
  4. Staffing arrangements — Meeting National Quality Standards
    1. Staffing arrangements enhance the children’s learning and development and ensure their safety and wellbeing
    2. Educators, coordinators and staff members are respectful and ethical
    3. Staff promote each child’s physical abilities
  5. Relationships with children – Working Towards National Quality Standards
    1. Respectful and equitable relationships are developed and maintained with each child
  6. Collaborative partnerships with families and communities – Meeting National Quality Standards
    1. Respectful and supportive relationships with families are developed and maintained
    2. Families are supported in their parenting role and their values and beliefs about childrearing are respected
    3. The service collaborates with other organisations and service providers to enhance children’s learning and wellbeing
  7. Leadership and service management – Working Towards National Quality Standards
    1. Effective leadership promotes a positive organisational culture and builds a professional learning community
    2. There is a commitment to continuous improvement
    3. Administrative systems enable the effective management of a quality service

The Centre’s Quality Improvement Plan is available in the foyer for viewing. The staff and management committee at the Homestead are committed to the National Quality Standards as we believe every parent and every child has the right to access high quality standards of child care.

Since this assessment the Homestead has increased the number of staff per child for children between the ages of 2-3 years and has employed an Early Childhood Teacher to implement our kindergarten program.