Quality Area 3: Physical environment

Overview

Quality Area 3 of the National Quality Standard focuses on the physical environment. The physical environment is critical to:

contributing to children’s wellbeing, creativity and developing independence
providing a diverse range of experiences that promote children’s learning and development
keeping children safe
creating/organising spaces to reduce the risk of injury.

Related National Law and National Regulations

The National Law and National Regulation provisions that are directly relevant to Quality Area 3 are listed under the corresponding element.

Other requirements in the National Law and National Regulations that are relevant to Quality Area 3 are:

Part 3 of the National Law: Service approval
Regulation 25 Additional information about proposed education and care service premises
Regulations 41–45 Service waiver and temporary waiver.

Additional state/territory and local government requirements

In addition to complying with the National Quality Framework, services must also comply with other relevant national, state/territory and local government requirements. These include:

the Building Code of Australia
food safety standards (for kitchens and food preparation areas)
relevant Australian Standards (for example, pool safety, playground equipment and soft fall).

Standards, elements and concepts

Quality Area 3 has two Standards that focus on the design of service facilities and the use of the service’s physical environment to support children’s experiences. These Standards are crucial to delivering quality learning outcomes for children under the National Quality Framework because:

inclusive built and natural environments in indoor and outdoor spaces, when appropriately resourced, promote play-based learning
well maintained, fit-for-purpose facilities keep children safe and support each child’s access to facilities and participation in activities/experiences
the physical environment significantly impacts on the quality of children’s experiences and encourages children to become environmentally responsible.

QA3		Physical environment
3.1	Design	The design of the facilities is appropriate for the operation of a service.
3.1.1	Fit for purpose	Outdoor and indoor spaces, buildings, fixtures and fittings are suitable for their purpose, including supporting the access of every child.
3.1.2	Upkeep	Premises, furniture and equipment are safe, clean and well maintained.
3.2	Use	The service environment is inclusive, promotes competence and supports exploration and play-based learning.
3.2.1	Inclusive environment	Outdoor and indoor spaces are organised and adapted to support every child's participation and to engage every child in quality experiences in both built and natural environments.
3.2.2	Resources support play-based learning	Resources, materials and equipment allow for multiple uses, are sufficient in number, and enable every child to engage in play-based learning.
3.2.3	Environmentally responsible	The service cares for the environment and supports children to become environmentally responsible.
Standard/Elements	Concept	Descriptor