Meeting the NQS
A collection of resources developed for service leaders to assist them in meeting the National Quality Standard (NQS).
These resources are to support services to meet the National Quality Standard (NQS).
The resources were developed for service leaders as part of a professional support program. We recommend that service leaders explore the resources and consider how they could apply to their unique service context, and be part of a broader quality improvement process.
The resources cover all seven NQS Quality Areas and will be added to periodically.
Quality Area 1
Educational program and practice
Quality Area 1 of the NQS invites you and your team to reflect on your educational programs and practices; including the assessment and planning for each child’s learning and development.
Introduction – Educational program and practice
Infographic/mind map – The planning cycle
Presentation – What is critical reflection?
Speaking notes – What is critical reflection?
Summary sheet – What is critical reflection?
Video – Critical reflection in practice
Presentation – What is the planning cycle?
Speaking notes – What is the planning cycle?
Information sheet – Supporting agency: Involving children in decision-making
Information sheet – Developing a culture of learning through reflective practice
Information sheet – Be part of reconciliation
Presentation – What is critical reflection (OSHC)?
Speaking notes – What is critical reflection (OSHC)?
Presentation – What is the assessment and planning cycle (OSHC)?
Speaking notes – What is the assessment and planning cycle (OSHC)?
Quality Area 2
Children's health and safety
Quality Area 2 of the NQS recognises the importance of supporting children’s wellbeing. It invites you and your team to consider the practices and procedures in your service that support each child’s healthy lifestyle, comfort, safety, protection and wellbeing.
Introduction – Children’s health and safety
Information sheet – Active supervision: Ensuring safety & promoting learning
Information sheet – Risk assessment and management
eLearning module – Reflecting on common OSHC supervision areas
Quality Area 3
Physical environment
Quality Area 3 of the NQS will help you to look at how you use your service’s physical environments, both indoors and outdoors, to create welcoming, inviting, inclusive and safe spaces for children to feel comfortable and competent to explore, learn, create and be.
Introduction – Physical environment
Information sheet – Babies and outdoor play
Information sheet – The environment as the ‘Third teacher’
Information sheet – Inclusive Environments
Quality Area 4
Staffing arrangements
Quality Area 4 of the NQS will assist in the consideration of your service’s staffing arrangements and the professionalism of the team in providing quality education and care. It sets the benchmark of services providing ‘qualified and experienced educators who develop warm, respectful relationships with children, create safe and predictable environments and encourage children’s active engagement in the learning program’ (Guide to the NQF, p. 202).
Introduction – Staffing arrangements
Information sheet – Belonging, Being & Becoming for educators
Quality Area 5
Relationships with children
Quality Area 5 focuses on the consideration of children’s wellbeing, self-esteem, sense of security and belonging through the relationships you build and interactions you have with children. It also focuses on relationships between children and their peers and how you and your team can build children’s capacity to form and maintain these relationships.
Introduction – Relationships with children
Information sheet – Relationships with children
Information sheet – Supporting children to regulate their own behaviour
Quality Area 6
Collaborative partnerships with families and communities
Quality Area 6 reminds you and your team that meaningful, respectful and supportive relationships with families contribute to quality outcomes for the children in your service. It also supports you to ensure the access and inclusion of all children and families in the community.
Introduction – Collaborative partnerships with families and communities
Information sheet – Building partnerships with families
Information sheet – Enrolment and orientation
FDC information sheet – FDC enrolment and orientation
Quality Area 7
Governance and leadership
Quality Area 7 emphasises the importance of having effective leadership for your service to operate efficiently and ethically. It also focuses on the importance of having a philosophy that guides all aspects of your service's operations.
Introduction – Governance and leadership
Video – Continuous improvement in practice
Information sheet – Reviewing your service philosophy
Information sheet – Educational leadership & team building
Information sheet – Supporting an engaging induction process
Information sheet – Supporting performance and the development of professionals
FDC information sheet – Record keeping in FDC
FDC information sheet – Assessments of FDC residences & venues
FDC information sheet – Requirements for FDC educators from 1 Oct 2017
eLearning modules – Responsibilities and obligations as an approved provider under the National Law and Regulations
Additional resources
- Regular meetings and reflective sessions information sheet – Regular successful meetings can be a valuable way to build relationships and boost morale. They are an opportunity to come together, share ideas about practice, discuss improvements, problem solve, innovate, celebrate achievements and reflect.
- Supporting materials page – for more ACECQA resources.