National Quality Framework

Question 1

When did the NQF start?

Answer 1

The National Quality Framework started on January 1st 2012 and key requirements are being phased in over time. Requirements such as qualification, educator-to-child ratios and other key staffing arrangements are being phased in between 2012 and 2020

Question 2

What did the NQF replace?

Answer 2

The NQF replaced previous state and territory licensing and national quality assurance processes.

Question 3

What are the 6 objectives of the NQF?

Answer 3

• TO ENSURE the safety, health and wellbeing of children attending education and care services
• TO IMPROVE the educational and developmental outcomes for children attending education and care services
• TO PROMOTE continuous improvement in the provision of quality education and care services
• TO ESTABLISH a system of national integration and shared responsibility between participating jurisdictions and the commonwealth in the administration of the NQF
• TO IMPROVE PUBLIC knowledge and access to info about the quality of education care and services
• TO REDUCE the regulatory and administrative burden for education and care services by enabling information to be shared between participating jurisdictions and the commonwealth

Question 4

The National Quality Framework includes?

Answer 4

• A National legislative framework
• A National quality framework
• A National quality rating and assessment
• A Regulatory authority in each state and territory
• A National body - ACECQA

Question 5

What does the National Legislative Framework consist of?

Answer 5

• The Education and Care Services National Law

- The Education and Care Services National Regulations

Question 6

What are the 7 quality areas of the National Quality Standard?

Answer 6

• Education Program and Practice
• Children’s Health and Safety
• Physical Environment
• Staffing Arrangements
• Relationships with children
• Collaborative Partnerships with families & communities
• Leadership and service management

Question 7

What is the national quality and rating assessment?

Answer 7

A process through which services are assessed against the National Quality Standard by regulatory authorities and provided with a quality rating

Question 8

What does the regulatory authority in each state and territory do?

Answer 8

The regulatory authority in each state and territory has primary responsibility for the approval, monitoring and quality assessment of services in their jurisdiction in accordance with the national legislative framework and in relation to the NQS

Question 9

What is ACECQA?

Answer 9

ACECQA (Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority) is a national body which oversees the new system and guides its implementation in a nationally consistent way

Question 10

What is an approved learning framework?

Answer 10

Approved learning frameworks are what all programs must be based on. They consider the developmental needs, interests and experiences of each child and takes into account the individual differences of each child

Question 11

Why were approved learning frameworks developed?

Answer 11

To guide educators in developing quality programs that support children’s learning

Question 12

What is the hierarchy of the governance arrangements?

Answer 12

1. SCSEEC - Standing Council for School Education and Early Childhood - Oversees implementation of NQF
   - Makes the educator and care services national regulations
   - Appoints members of the ACECQA board
2. ACECQA -Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority - Guides implementation of NQF
   - Publishes guides and resources for the sector, parents and community
   - Publishes and maintains national registers
   - Promotes consistent application of national law
   - Provides national oversight of the NQF
3. State/territory based regulatory authorities
   - administer of the NQF
   - issue approvals and supervisor certificates
   - assess services against the NQS
   - monitor and enforce national law
   - review and investigate complaints

Question 13

What does the National Law set out?

Answer 13

• approval processes for the operation of education and care services
• the rating and assessment process
• key operational requirements
• compliance, monitoring and enforcement powers
• review of decisions by regulatory authorities
• the functions and powers of the standing council
• the functions and powers of ACECQA
• the functions and powers of regulatory authorities
• Requirements for publications of information including registers
• key transitional arrangements

Question 14

What do the National Regulations set out?

Answer 14

• Application processes for provider approval, service approval and supervisor certificates
• The process for ratings and assessments of services against the NQS including rating levels
• Minimum operational requirements around the 7 quality areas
• Arrangements to move existing services into the NQF

Question 15

What is the NQS?

Answer 15

The NQS is a schedule to the national regulations

Question 16

What does the NQS set?

Answer 16

The NQS sets a new national benchmark for the quality of education and care services

Question 17

What are the two approved learning frameworks and what do they outline?

Answer 17

Belonging, Being and Becoming: The Early Years Learning Framework and My Time, Our Place: Framework for School Age Care. They outline practices to support and promote children’s learning

Question 18

What does EYLF stand for?

Answer 18

Early Years Learning Framework

Question 19

What is the aim of the EYLF?

Answer 19

The aim of the EYLF is to extend and enrich children’s learning from birth to five years and through the transition to school. It assists services to provide young children with opportunities to maximise their potential and develop a foundation for future success in learning

Question 20

What is the aim of the Framework for School Age Care?

Answer 20

The aim of the FSAC is to extend and enrich the wellbeing and development of school age children in education and care settings. It assists services to provide opportunities to engage in leisure and play based experiences

Question 21

What is another approved learning framework in the ACT?

Answer 21

Every Chance to Learn - Curriculum Framework for preschool to year 10

Question 22

What does ECA stand for?

Answer 22

Early Childhood Australia

Question 23

What is a code of ethics?

Answer 23

A code of ethics defines the core aspirational values of the profession and provides guidance for professional decision making especially when there are conflicting obligations or responsibilities

Question 24

What are core principles?

Answer 24

Core principles are fundamental and prized values of the profession

Question 25

What are the core principles of the ECA Code of Ethics?

Answer 25

• Each child has unique interests and strengths and the capacity to contribute to their communities
• Children are citizens from birth with civil, cultural, linguistic, social and economic rights
• Effective learning and teaching is characterised by professional decisions that draw on specialise knowledge and multiple perspectives
• Partnerships with families and communities support shared responsibilities for children’s learning, development and wellbeing
• Democratic, fair and inclusive practices promote equity and a strong sense of well being
• Respectful, responsive and reciprocal relationships are central to children’s education and care
• Play and leisure are essential for children’s learning, development and well being
• Research, inquiry and practice based evidence inform quality education and care