80% of education and care services rated Meeting NQS or above 

For the first time, 80% of education and care services are Meeting or Exceeding the National Quality Standard (NQS). This significant milestone was highlighted in the quarterly NQF Snapshot released today by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA). 

“Since the National Quality Framework – or NQF – began in 2012, the proportion of services rated Meeting NQS or above has risen steadily each and every year”, said ACECQA CEO Gabrielle Sinclair. “It is very pleasing to see ongoing evidence that service providers and educators are continuing to adapt and improve their programs and practices to deliver positive outcomes for children.” 

As at 31 December 2019, three out of 10 (30%) services are rated Exceeding NQS and 45 services hold the Excellent rating – the highest rating a service can achieve. 

To be rated Meeting NQS, all elements across each of the seven quality areas must be met. This means that a service may be rated Working Towards NQS based on not meeting a single element or not meeting all elements. Many services rated Working Towards NQS are close to being rated Meeting NQS. Two-fifths (40%) of services rated Working Towards NQS receive that rating due to not meeting one or two of the seven quality areas of the NQS. 

ACECQA’s NQF Snapshot provides analysis and information on the profile of the education and care sector, the progress of quality assessment and rating, and the quality ratings awarded to services, including examining the distribution of ratings by service type, provider management type and geographically. 

Approved education and care services include long day care, outside school hours care and family day care services, as well as most preschools and kindergartens. 

Families are encouraged to visit StartingBlocks.gov.au for more information about their local education and care services.