National Quality Framework Information Forum

This forum Provide information about the COAG reforms. Update on implementation activities. An opportunity to hear your views.

Overview of the COAG decision

Improving Quality and Accessibility of Early Childhood Education and Care Services Early Childhood Development Strategy WorkforceData Early Childhood Initiatives National standards and rating system Early Years Learning Framework Streamlined regulation Home interaction program Increased CCTR Integrated services Better information For parents AEDI National Performance Information Framework & Data Agreement University places HECS remission No TAFE fees National strategy QualityInfrastructure Support for Parents 38 early learning & care centres Early Childhood Education Universal Access to Early Childhood education Early learning programs for remote Indigenous children Indigenous Early Childhood Development Indigenous Early Childhood Development National Partnership & children & family centres

The National Quality Framework The new National Quality Framework agreed by the Council of Australian Governments on 7 December It comprises: a National Quality Standard (seven quality areas) a new ratings system to complement the NQS streamlined regulatory system a new national body. Implemented progressively from 1 July 2010, the system will be fully operational by 1 January 2012.

Evaluation of the New System Early 2013: review of progress towards meeting new qualification requirements 2014: review of entire National Quality Framework 2019 onwards: 5 yearly reviews

Who is Affected? The new National Quality Framework applies to: Long Day Care (LDC) Family Day Care (FDC) Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) and Preschool Budget based, MACS, mobile services and occasional care services not included at this stage

Arrangements for preschools within schools National Quality Standard will apply National Quality Framework will ensure in- school and LDC/FDC preschool programs are similar Regulatory arrangement will acknowledge existing school quality assurance procedures Details to be advised when finalised

Issues for preschools Regulation Rating Specific legal provisions –Offences –Approved or authorised supervisor –Second tier review of the rating

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 Leadership and service management National Quality Standard

New staffing arrangements Age groupEducator-to-child ratioTimeframe for compliance Long Day Care and Preschool Birth to 24 months1:41 January to 35 months1:51 January months to school age 1:111 January 2016 Family Day CareMixed age groups of children 1:7 with a maximum of four children not yet attending school 1 January 2014 OSHC The National Quality Standard and ratings system will also apply to OSHC but currently no national standards for educator-to-child ratios or staff qualifications are proposed.

New Qualification Requirements (Long Day Care and preschool) By 1 January 2014: at least 50% of educators will have (or be working towards) at least a Diploma level early childhood education and care qualification or above other educators will have (or working towards) a Certificate III level early childhood education and care qualification or equivalent

New Qualification Requirements (Family Day Care) By 1 January 2014: Family Day Care coordinators will need to have at least a Diploma-level early childhood education and care qualification All family day care educators will need (or be working towards), a Certificate III level early childhood education and care qualification or equivalent.

Qualifications of educators (1) By 1 January 2014: an early childhood teacher must attend Long Day Care and preschool services with more than 25 children an early childhood teacher must attend Long Day Care and preschool services with less than 25 children some of the time No regulations have been established for Outside School Hours Care.

Qualifications of educators (2) By 1 January 2020, a second early childhood teacher (or qualified leader) must attend: whenever the service is provided to more than 80 children for at least half the time when the service is provided to 60 or more children.

Early Years Learning Framework Australia’s first national early childhood learning framework –a key component of the new National Quality Agenda –required for use in the new National Quality Standard (Educational Program and Practice)

OSHC Learning Framework Will be modelled on the Early Years Learning Framework Will ensure school aged children get leisure/play-based learning experiences.

The new rating system A five point ratings scale Excellent High Quality National Quality Standard Operating Level Unsatisfactory

National applied laws legislation National Quality Framework will be a uniform national system National applied laws model introduced –The host jurisdiction (Victoria) will pass a Bill. Other states and territories will adopt this law ‘by reference’ to the Victorian Bill –WA will pass its own corresponding legislation New legislation will replace existing state and territory Acts and Regulations.

Implementation of COAG decision

MCEECDYA AEEYSOC MCEECDYA ECD Working Group Operations Project Group * Regular reporting – six monthly during transition phase COAG ECD Steering Committee SOM Workforce Transition and Establishment Project Group * Legislation Project Group Governance Arrangements * Project group has representation from NCAC Stakeholder Reference Group

Comprises representatives from key early childhood organisations First met in March 2010, will meet regularly during implementation States and territories will consult through their usual Advisory Groups Stakeholder Reference Group will provide feedback to ECD Working Group.

Key design features of new system from January 2012 A simpler, streamlined system which promotes national consistency Services will maintain their relationship with state and territory authorities Reduced regulatory burden Focus on both quality improvement and mandatory minimum standards Consistent across settings, while recognising diversity (e.g. preschools in schools)

The underlying principles Key principles behind the new system include: -ongoing quality improvement -minimum standards -clear obligations and responsibilities -transparency of assessment and ratings -participatory and evidence based approach -reducing administrative burden -consistency across locations and settings and through use of the Early Years Learning Framework

Key milestones for Transition COAG Announcement7 December 2009 Development of joint strategies for quality assurance and licensing during transition February/May 2010 Testing of assessment processJune 2010 Commence provisional assessmentFrom July 2010 Legislation passedMid 2011 Preparation for NCAC hand-over to new bodyFrom mid 2011 New system formally commences, new body fully operational 1 January 2012

Transition period provides opportunity to: Involve the sector to test and refine the assessment process familiarise the sector with the National Quality Standard identify current practices that will need to change prior to implementation

Key infrastructure activities include: National body fully operational by 1 January 2012 –13 member Board - 1 member nominated by each State and Territory; 4 members nominated by Commonwealth; 1 independent Chair National information technology system established by 1 January 2012 manage the transition of responsibility from the current accreditation arrangements to the new regulatory framework (including ceasing the operations of the National Childcare Accreditation Council and the Accreditation Decisions Review Committee) Establishing the infrastructure

The new National Body will: guide the implementation of the integrated national regulatory system advise the Ministerial Council on the National Quality system ensure uniformity in the application and enforcement of the Standard and rating levels determine the approval, rating assessment, audit, compliance and sanction regimes reduce unnecessary regulatory burden New National Body (1)

undertake research evaluation activities Undertake education awareness raising maintain a national register of approved providers, services and supervisors/key contacts; maintain data on assessment and regulation of services; Drive continuous quality improvement. New National Body (2)

Moving to a new system

Moving to the new system – first steps assessment and rating against the National Quality Standard begins 1 July 2010 Meeting this commitment requires: –developing an assessment and ratings process –developing a strategy for implementing the assessment and ratings process from 1 July 2010

Brand new service Even if there are no notifiable events services may receive a spot check or be part of a targeted campaign Examination of information may lead to no action Applications for provider, service and Supervisor can be submitted simultaneously To continue operating services must have all three. To continue to have Service approval a rating of Operating level or higher is required Services have the opportunity to have assessments and ratings reviewed and may appeal outcomes Applies for provider approval Applies for service approval Applies for supervisor approval Granted approval for Operating level Existing service months later Full assessment and rating process Notifiable event Complaint Risk trigger Elapse time Operating 1yr NQS 2yrs High Quality 3yrs Targeted Campaign Visit? Spot Check? No Intervention Required? Yes Proposed High Level Process

Earned autonomy and the risk based approach ‘High quality’ services will be assessed every three years ‘National Quality Standard’ services will be assessed every two years ‘Operating Level’ services will be assessed annually Spot checks and targeted campaign visits will occur across all quality levels.

Assessment and ratings process Initial focus - developing assessment guidelines for seven quality areas Quality Improvement Plan Advice provided by Australian Council for Education Research Initial focus on Long Day Care services Assessment of Family Day Care, Outside School Hours Care, Long Day Care and preschool settings from 1 July 2010

Dec 2009 March 2010 April 2010 May 2010 June 2010 July 2010 Nov 2010 March 2011 July 2011 Jan 2012 X XXX SRG Further consultation with SRG Stakeholder forums Proposed Assessment and rating process development COAG Decision Development of draft process with expert consultants Field test Begin assessment of services starting with LDC and gradually including FDC, OSHC and Preschool – 200 to 300 services Determine arrangements for regulation/rating of preschools in schools Review Refine Finalise Training and support material developed Training and development of assessors and services provided with information and support to ensure fully aware of obligations and assistance available New System in place New National Body gradually in place ready for commencement of system Support materials available for review via website to those not involved in direct consultation Regular update on progress to services FAQ website updated

Field testing the new System (1) From June 2010, 20 volunteer Long Day Care services to trial draft assessment process, including: –Self assessment –Quality Improvement plan Additional key focus - minimising administrative burden

Field testing the new System (2) Services will receive –a provisional rating –an assessment report outlining how they compare with the National Quality Standard, description of strengths and areas of improvement. Feedback provided by services will inform final assessment process beginning in July 2010.

Provisional assessment begins July 2010 Assessment and rating against National Quality Standard begins in July 2010; Starts with volunteer Long Day Care services Family Day Care, Outside School Hours Care and preschools to follow National Quality Standard not enforceable until 1 January All services must continue to meet state and territory licensing requirements before this.

From January 2011 to June 2011 July - November 2010 – Analysis of assessments used to refine process March 2011 – process finalised Training and support material developed for assessors and services

From July 2011 to 1 January 2012 Training for assessment and regulation staff Information and support materials provided to services

More information on the National Quality Framework can be found at: You can provide comments and ask further questions via our Enquiries at More information

Questions, comments