1. National Quality Framework Self-assessment and Quality Improvement Planning
Podcast Series: 2
April 2012
Draft and Confidential 1

2. Presentation overview
Introduction
Reflection, self assessment and quality improvement planning
The Quality Improvement Plan
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3. 1. Introduction One of the key objectives of the
National Quality Framework (NQF) is:
to promote continuous improvement in the provision of quality education and care services

4. 1. Introduction
The introduction of changes associated with the quality reform agenda offers an opportunity to stop, reflect and rethink what we do and why we do things in particular ways.
(Early Childhood Australia, Professional Learning Program)

5. 1. Introduction Under the NQF, education and care services
are required to:
Assess their own practices against the National Quality Standard (NQS) and National Regulations
Identify their strengths and areas for continuing improvement
Develop a Quality Improvement Plan that prioritises areas for improvement.

6. Reflection, self-assessment and improvement planning

7. 2. Self-assessment and planning
Before you begin:
Become familiar with the 7 Quality Areas of the NQS and the related regulatory requirements
The NQS can be found in Schedule 1 (page 325) of the National Regulations
Refer to the Guide to the NQS

8. 2. Self-assessment and planning
The Guide to the National Quality Standard
includes a set of reflective questions for each
Quality Area that serve as prompts to:
explore actual practice at the service
determine the effectiveness of practice for all children and families
determine relevance of the practice to the service and its stakeholders
consider equity and fairness for all children, families and educators.

9. 2. Self-assessment and planning
Learning Framework Principle:
Ongoing learning and reflective practice
What are my understandings of each child?
What theories, philosophies and understandings shape and assist my work?
Who is advantaged when I work in this way? Who is disadvantaged?
What am I challenged by? What am I curious about?
What aspects of my work are not helped by the theories and guidance that I usually draw on to make sense of what I do?
Are there other theories or knowledge that could help me to understand better what I have observed or experienced?

10. 2. Self-assessment and planning
Conducting your self-assessment and
improvement planning
Critically examine service practice - question how and why certain practices occur
Identify the service’s particular strengths and practices that can or should improve
Document your self assessment to inform quality improvement planning

11. The Quality Improvement Plan A requirement of the National Regulations

12. Continuous improvement: Quality Area 7 of the NQS
3. The Quality Improvement Plan
Continuous improvement: Quality Area 7 of the NQS 7
LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE MANAGEMENT
7.2
There is a commitment to continuous improvement.
7.2.1
A statement of philosophy is developed and guides all aspects of the service’s operations.
7.2.2
The performance of educators, co-ordinators and staff members is evaluated and individual development plans are in place to support performance improvement.
7.2.3
An effective self-assessment and quality improvement process is in place.

13. 3. The Quality Improvement Plan
The Quality Improvement Plan is required to:
Be informed by an assessment of the quality of practice
Identify areas for improvement
Contain a statement of philosophy of the service
Be updated at least annually
Be available at the service for parents and the Regulatory Authority (DETE)
Be submitted to the Regulatory Authority (6 weeks following notification of assessment and rating visit and on request)
Be revised following the assessment and rating process (if required)

14. 3. The Quality Improvement Plan
Timing:
Services licensed / approved prior to 1 January 2012:
Must prepare their Plan by 30 April 2012
Available on request by Regulatory Authority or parents
New services approved between 1 January 2012 –
31 January 2012:
Must submit their Plan by 30 April 2012
New services approved on/after 1 February 2012:
Must submit their Plan within three months of grant of service approval.
Draft and Confidential 14 14

15. 3. The Quality Improvement Plan
Quality Improvement Plan template
A template is available online from ACECQA
It is planned that in future, services will be able to complete the template online and upload when it is requested by the Regulatory Authority

16. 3. The Quality Improvement Plan
Quality Improvement Plan template includes:
Service details
Statement of philosophy
And for each of the seven Quality Areas:
Summary of strengths
Summary of each identified issue
Key improvements sought for each identified issue

17. 3. The Quality Improvement Plan
The statement of philosophy of the service
is unique to the service – different settings have different priorities, and different families, children, educators and staff
outlines the principles under which the service operates
promotes shared understandings of these principles
guides all aspects of the service’s operation including the development of educational program and practice
forms part of a culture of evaluation, self-review and improvement
is reviewed at least annually, and revised if necessary
reflects the principles of the NQF and approved Learning Frameworks

18. 3. The Quality Improvement Plan
Principles of Learning Frameworks
Respectful relationships
Partnerships with families
High expectations and equity
Respect for diversity
Reflective practice
National Quality Framework
The rights and best interests of the child are paramount
Children are successful, competent and capable learners
Equity, inclusion and diversity
Valuing Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures
The role of parents and families is respected and supported
High expectations for children, educators and service providers

19. 3. The Quality Improvement Plan
Principles inform philosophy
How do the principles and practices of the Learning Frameworks align with the principles and practices at your service?
Some ideas will be consistent with your practices and knowledge, and some will be challenging, new…

20. 3. The Quality Improvement Plan
Summary of strengths and issues identified
during self-assessment

21. 3. The Quality Improvement Plan
Developing the Quality Improvement Plan
For each Quality Area, space is provided to record:
The relevant standard or element (e.g. Standard 1.1, element 1.2.3)
Priority for action – Low, Medium or High
Steps for getting the outcome – the actions that will be taken
What the measure of success will be
When the outcome is intended to be achieved
Notes on progress, what has been done so far

22. 3. The Quality Improvement Plan
Quality Improvement Plan: example

23. 3. The Quality Improvement Plan
Revisiting and refreshing the Plan:
At least annually
At any time when directed by the Regulatory Authority
Triggered by suggestions made in the Assessment and Rating report
As different issues or new understandings arise
When new children and families join the service
As a result of staffing or management changes

24. Thank you
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