National Quality Framework
Self-assessment and
Quality Improvement Planning
Podcast Series: 2
April 2012
Presentation overview
1.
2.
3.
Introduction
Reflection, self assessment and quality
improvement planning
The Quality Improvement Plan
http://deta.qld.gov.au / earlychildhood / office / national / podcast.html
1. Introduction
One of the key objectives of the
National Quality Framework (NQF) is:
• to promote continuous improvement in the
provision of quality education and care services
1. Introduction
The introduction of changes associated with the
quality reform agenda offers an opportunity to
stop, reflect and rethink what we do and
why we do things in particular ways.
(Early Childhood Australia, Professional Learning Program)
1. Introduction
Under the NQF, education and care services
are required to:
1. Assess their own practices against the National
Quality Standard (NQS) and National Regulations
2. Identify their strengths and areas for continuing
improvement
3. Develop a Quality Improvement Plan that prioritises
areas for improvement.
Reflection, self-assessment
and improvement planning
2. Self-assessment and planning
Before you begin:
• Become familiar with the 7 Quality Areas of the
NQS and the related regulatory requirements
• The NQS can be found in Schedule 1 (page 325) of
the National Regulations
• Refer to the Guide to the NQS
2. Self-assessment and planning
The Guide to the National Quality Standard
includes a set of reflective questions for each
Quality Area that serve as prompts to:
• explore actual practice at the service
• determine the effectiveness of practice for all children
and families
• determine relevance of the practice to the service and
its stakeholders
• consider equity and fairness for all children, families
and educators.
2. Self-assessment and planning
Learning Framework Principle:
Ongoing learning and reflective practice
•
What are my understandings of each child?
•
What theories, philosophies and understandings shape and assist
my work?
•
Who is advantaged when I work in this way? Who is disadvantaged?
•
What am I challenged by? What am I curious about?
•
What aspects of my work are not helped by the theories and
guidance that I usually draw on to make sense of what I do?
•
Are there other theories or knowledge that could help me to
understand better what I have observed or experienced?
2. Self-assessment and planning
Conducting your self-assessment and
improvement planning
1. Critically examine service practice - question how
and why certain practices occur
2. Identify the service’s particular strengths and
practices that can or should improve
3. Document your self assessment to inform quality
improvement planning
The Quality Improvement Plan
A requirement of the National Regulations
3. The Quality Improvement Plan
Continuous improvement: Quality Area 7 of the NQS
7
LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE MANAGEMENT
7.2
There is a commitment to continuous improvement.
7.2.1
A statement of philosophy is developed and guides all aspects
of the service’s operations.
7.2.2
The performance of educators, co-ordinators and staff
members is evaluated and individual development plans are in
place to support performance improvement.
7.2.3
An effective self-assessment and quality improvement process
is in place.
3. The Quality Improvement Plan
The Quality Improvement Plan is required to:
•
•
•
•
•
Be informed by an assessment of the quality of practice
Identify areas for improvement
Contain a statement of philosophy of the service
Be updated at least annually
Be available at the service for parents and the Regulatory
Authority (DETE)
• Be submitted to the Regulatory Authority
(6 weeks following notification of assessment and rating
visit and on request)
• Be revised following the assessment and rating process
(if required)
3. The Quality Improvement Plan
Timing:
Services licensed / approved prior to 1 January 2012:
• Must prepare their Plan by 30 April 2012
• Available on request by Regulatory Authority or parents
New services approved between 1 January 2012 –
31 January 2012:
• Must submit their Plan by 30 April 2012
New services approved on/after 1 February 2012:
• Must submit their Plan within three months of grant of service
approval.
3. The Quality Improvement Plan
Quality Improvement Plan template
• A template is available online from ACECQA
• It is planned that in
future, services will
be able to complete
the template online
and upload when it
is requested by the
Regulatory Authority
3. The Quality Improvement Plan
Quality Improvement Plan template includes:
• Service details
• Statement of philosophy
And for each of the seven Quality Areas:
• Summary of strengths
• Summary of each identified issue
• Key improvements sought for each identified issue
3. The Quality Improvement Plan
The statement of philosophy of the service
•
is unique to the service – different settings have different priorities,
and different families, children, educators and staff
•
outlines the principles under which the service operates
•
promotes shared understandings of these principles
•
guides all aspects of the service’s operation including the
development of educational program and practice
•
forms part of a culture of evaluation, self-review and improvement
•
is reviewed at least annually, and revised if necessary
•
reflects the principles of the NQF and approved Learning
Frameworks
3. The Quality Improvement Plan
Principles of Learning Frameworks
•
•
•
•
•
Respectful relationships
Partnerships with families
High expectations and equity
Respect for diversity
Reflective practice
National Quality Framework
•
•
•
•
•
•
The rights and best interests of the child are paramount
Children are successful, competent and capable learners
Equity, inclusion and diversity
Valuing Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures
The role of parents and families is respected and supported
High expectations for children, educators and service providers
3. The Quality Improvement Plan
Principles inform philosophy
• How do the principles and practices of the Learning
Frameworks align with the principles and practices
at your service?
• Some ideas will be consistent with your practices and
knowledge, and some will be challenging, new…
3. The Quality Improvement Plan
Summary of strengths and issues identified
during self-assessment
3. The Quality Improvement Plan
Developing the Quality Improvement Plan
For each Quality Area, space is provided to record:
• The relevant standard or element
(e.g. Standard 1.1, element 1.2.3)
• Priority for action – Low, Medium or High
• Steps for getting the outcome – the actions that will be taken
• What the measure of success will be
• When the outcome is intended to be achieved
• Notes on progress, what has been done so far
3. The Quality Improvement Plan
Quality Improvement Plan: example
3. The Quality Improvement Plan
Revisiting and refreshing the Plan:
• At least annually
• At any time when directed by the Regulatory Authority
• Triggered by suggestions made in the Assessment
and Rating report
• As different issues or new understandings arise
• When new children and families join the service
• As a result of staffing or management changes
Thank you
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