More than 20,000 quality assessments undertaken since 2012

 More than 20,000 quality assessments of children’s education and care services have been undertaken by state and territory regulatory authorities since 2012, with almost 2000 of these using the 2018 National Quality Standard (NQS), introduced from 1 February 2018. 

In its quarterly NQF Snapshot released today, ACECQA announced almost eight out of 10 (78%) services are rated Meeting NQS or above, with more than three out of 10 (32%) rated Exceeding NQS. 

“Our Snapshot summarises the performance of services at assessment and reassessment, and includes detailed analysis relating to the quality areas, standards and elements that make up the NQS”, said ACECQA CEO Gabrielle Sinclair. 

To be rated Meeting NQS or above, all elements of the NQS must be met. Many services rated Working Towards NQS are close to achieving this high standard. For example, more than 550 services are rated Working Towards NQS due to not meeting only one or two elements. Furthermore, the majority of services rated Working Towards NQS receive a rating of Meeting NQS or above after reassessment. 

For the first time, this Snapshot also provides standard and element level results arising from the introduction of the 2018 National Quality Standard. 

“As expected, providers are adjusting to the new NQS and the introduction of the themes being used to differentiate between meeting and exceeding practice”, said Ms Sinclair. “With state and territory regulatory authorities, we are monitoring the rating results so that we can support improved educational and development outcomes for children attending services”. 

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 across Australia. 

Parents and carers are encouraged to visit ACECQA’s family focussed website, Starting Blocks, for more information about their local education and care services.