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National Quality Framework

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What's Changed

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The National Quality Framework (NQF) is a breakthrough for Australian children's education and care.  For the first time, every state and territory in Australia will be working to achieve the same quality outcomes for children.

The NQF introduces a new quality standard to improve education and care across long day care, family day care, preschool/kindergarten and outside school hours care.

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What the NQF means to you

Quality education and care shapes every child's future and lays the foundation for their development and learning.  The early years are critical for establishing self-esteem, resilience, healthy growth and capacity to learn.  Research shows quality education and care early in life leads to better health, education and employment outcomes later in life.

Children need quality care and attention that meets their individual needs.  The two main influences on the quality of care are:

  • caregiver qualifications, and

  • lower staff to child ratios.

These factors are particularly beneficial for very young children and those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Increased quality, consistent standard

The NQF safeguards children's safety, health and wellbeing and sets a National Quality Standard (NQS) so children enjoy the best possible conditions in their early educational and developmental years.

The NQS promotes continuous improvement in quality

The major benefits for parents and children include:

  • improved educator to child ratios in most services

  • greater individual care and attention for children

  • educators with increased skills and qualifications

  • better support for children's learning and development

  • a ratings system to help parents assess the quality of education and care providers in their area.

 

Better caregiver qualifications

Substantial research shows higher qualified educators improve outcomes for children.  The higher their qualifications, the greater their understanding of child development, health and safety issues.  These educators are better equipped to lead activities that inspire children and help them learn and develop.

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Educator to child ratios

Improving educator to child ratios allows staff to give more individual care and attention and contributes to better social and learning outcomes for children.  Educators are able to develop more effective and meaningful relationships with children, resulting in more engaged, happy and relaxed youngsters.

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What the NQF means for your child

The NQF is designed to give your child the best possible start in life.  It is a national system, designed to provide transparency and accountability.

National Registers provide consistent and dependable information, which you need to assess individual education and care services in your area.  This means wherever you live in Australia or if your family moves interstate, you can compare apples with apples when in comes to finding child care.

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Quality Improvement Plan (QIP)

The National Regulations require approved services to have a Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) which assists us to self-assess our performance as a service provider.  This document is available on our website for your information in the Parents Area of the website under the Parent Documents.  

 

Cool Australia is a not-for-profit organisation that specialises in providing teachers with tools to foster student 'learning for life'.  You can access their link below and find online lesson plans that align with both the Australian Curriculum and the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF).

http://community.coolaustralia.org/

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