Almost 80% of services rated Meeting NQS or above

In its quarterly Snapshot released today, ACECQA announced that almost eight out of 10 (78%) children’s education and care services with a quality rating have an overall rating of Meeting National Quality Standard (NQS) or above.

“The National Quality Framework, which includes the NQS, has raised quality and continues to drive continuous improvement in children’s education and care services. Providers, educators and all staff should be congratulated for their ongoing commitment to quality outcomes for children,” said ACECQA CEO Gabrielle Sinclair.

As at 30 June 2018, a total of 6638 services were rated Meeting NQS, with a further 4834 rated Exceeding NQS and 52 awarded the Excellent rating – the highest rating an education and care service can achieve under the National Quality Framework (NQF).

To be rated Meeting NQS or above, all quality elements of the NQS must be met. Many services rated Working Towards NQS are close to Meeting NQS. For example, more than 500 services are rated Working Towards NQS due to not meeting only one or two quality elements. It is also important to note that the quality assessment and rating system is not designed as a pass-fail system.

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.

Education and care services approved under the NQF include long day care, outside school hours care and family day care services, as well as most preschools/kindergartens.

Families are encouraged to visit Starting Blocks for more information about their local education and care services.