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  2. Guide to the NQF
  3. Section 3: National Quality Standard and Assessment and Rating
  4. Quality Area 7: Governance and leadership
  5. Standard 7.1: Governance

Table of contents

Standard 7.1: Governance

Governance supports the operation of a quality service.

How Standard 7.1 contributes to quality education and care

Governance provides leadership and direction to the service. The approved provider must ensure that there are effective systems, procedures and processes in place to support the service to operate effectively and ethically. This promotes the confidence of families and local community in the service.

An effective governance framework includes:

  • a statement of philosophy based on the service’s beliefs, values and aims for the educational program that the framework provides
  • an effective and efficient management system to:
    • enable the operation of a quality service
    • ensure that all aspects of its operations, including policies and procedures, are consistent with the principles underlying the National Law, National Regulations and any other legislation that applies to the service
    • manage foreseeable and long-term risks to the service’s operations and to children while they attend the service
  • ethical codes and practices that guide decision-making
  • clearly defined roles and responsibilities that support effective decision-making and operation of the service
  • an effective complaints management process
  • a continuous improvement approach to all aspects of the service and its educational program.

By establishing effective administrative and records management systems and implementing documented policies and procedures, the service can focus on delivering quality education and care for children and families.

Questions to guide reflection on practice for Standard 7.1 (for all services)

 
  • What are the strengths of our management and administration systems that contribute to delivering a quality service for children and their families?
  • How does our service’s governance contribute to the development of a service vision and purpose?
  • How do we determine the appropriate management and governance structure at our service?
  • How do we model collaborative leadership and teamwork to support the development of effective leaders at the service?
  • What is the process for making decisions within the service and is this process fair and equitable?
  • How can we improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our systems and processes?
  • Does our management of confidential information meet requirements?
  • To what extent does our statement of philosophy reflect our purpose, guide our practice and show a commitment to continuous improvement?
  • How and when is our statement of philosophy reviewed?
  • How do we address complaints? How is the complaints management process used to identify strategies for quality improvement?
  • Is our complaints management system/process effective in supporting quality improvement and empowering families to express their concerns and suggestions?
  • How can we ensure that families are able to contact the appropriate person when making a complaint?
  • What systems are in place to ensure the service’s compliance with the National Law and Regulations?
  • What systems are in place to regularly check the currency and validity of working with children checks, teaching registrations, first aid qualifications, and anaphylaxis and asthma management training?
  • How and when are our policies and procedures reviewed?
  • What systems are in place to ensure policies and procedures are being used to inform practice and is this information being communicated to families in respectful ways?
  • How does the service involve stakeholders in consultation, evaluation and advisory processes?
  • What information is provided to families about our governance structures?