90% of services meet or exceed the National Quality Standard for third consecutive quarter

For the third consecutive quarter, the proportion of children’s education and care services rated Meeting National Quality Standard (NQS) or above has remained at 90%, according to the latest NQF Snapshot report.

The report, released today by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), presents data about services operating under Australia’s National Quality Framework (NQF).

“For the third quarter in a row, 90% of education and care services are rated Meeting NQS or above. This is a very pleasing result and continues to represent a substantial improvement in quality ratings since the introduction of the NQF – from 56% Meeting NQS and above in 2013 to 90% today,” noted ACECQA CEO Gabrielle Sinclair. “Teachers, educators, service staff and approved providers should be very proud of this achievement which continues to benefit children and families.” 

The report describes the trend in continuous quality improvement, as well as an overview of the children’s education and care sector. Raw data is available to download. The Snapshot is also supplemented by an interactive Online Snapshot with additional data on physical environment and staffing waivers and other topics.

NQF-regulated children’s 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.