National Quality Framework
information session
9 NOVEMBER 2011
Presentation overview
1. Where are we up to?
2. National Regulations
1. Where are we up to?
Reform Agenda – National Quality Framework
• The National Quality Agenda was
endorsed by COAG in December 2009
• Through this Agreement, the
Commonwealth and the States and
Territories will work together to
implement the National Quality
Framework (NQF) for early childhood
education and care commencing from
1 January 2012
• Implementation is being led nationally
by the Ministerial Council Working
Groups and by DET for Queensland
1. Where are we up to?
• NQF begins for in-scope services on 1 January 2012
• Consulted on draft National Regulations in
March/April 2011
• National Law passed in Victoria and New South Wales
• Bill to apply the Education and Care Services National
Law Act was introduced into Queensland Parliament
on 6 September 2011
• National Regulations approved by Australian Ministers
on 14 October 2011
1. Where are we up to?
• Service assessment and rating visits will begin
mid 2012
• New services - Approved Providers must develop
their Quality Improvement Plan within three months
of the service approval
• Existing services - will be given at least four months to
develop their Quality Improvement Plan from 1
January 2012 to 30 April 2012
1. Where are we up to?
•
13 member ACECQA board announced which includes state and
territory representatives from across Australia
•
My Time, Our Place: Framework for School Age Care in Australia
has been released
•
Building Code of Australia considering feedback –
New code expected May 2012
•
Procedures, documentation, transition arrangements and IT
systems are being developed to ensure an effective introduction of
the new system
•
QLD services will receive an information pack in December 2011
detailing transitional information including forms which need to be
completed and sent back to DET
•
Revision of services out of scope in progress – Child Care Act 2002
continues to apply for licensed services out-of-scope of the
National Law
1. Where are we up to?
New names of quality ratings
• Excellent (highest level)
• Exceeding National Quality Standard
• Meeting National Quality Standard
• Working towards National Quality Standard
• Significant Improvement Required (lowest level)
Updated NQS (in Regulations)
• Minor amendments to the NQS include:
- Revised elements in Quality Area 1
- Sustainable practices and environmental responsibility
now in Standard 3.3, moved from Quality Area 6
- Refinements to Quality Area 7
1. Where are we up to?
Key messages
• NQF is focused on quality outcomes for children
• A phased implementation to support transition
• Regulatory standards support the implementation
of the NQS
• The NQF is a move to promoting continuous quality
improvement
• DET will support services to implement the new
standard, processes and resources
1. Where are we up to?
Legislation and Regulations
IN-SCOPE
OUT-OF-SCOPE
National Law
Child Care Act 2002
National Regulations
Child Care Regulations
QLD Regulations (CGBs)
2. National Regulations
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Preliminary – including definitions
Approvals and certificates
Assessment and ratings
Operational requirements
Review, enforcement and compliance
Information, records and privacy
Jurisdiction-specific and transitional and
saving provisions
– CHAPTER 1 –
Preliminary: Definitions
Preliminary
Definitions
In-scope services of the National Law
• Any service providing or intending to provide
education and care on a regular basis to children
under 13 years of age (other than those specifically
excluded)
Out-of-scope services of the National Law
• A range of services are specifically excluded from
the National Quality Framework, either through
the National Law or through Regulation
Excluded by the National Regulations
•
A disability or early childhood intervention service
•
In a child’s home
•
Hotel or resort care
•
Conference, sport facility or shopping centre care
•
Provided or shared by parents
•
Mobile services
•
Transition to school programs
•
College or secondary school student’s children
•
Vacation care offered for not more than four weeks per year
•
Stand alone care services
•
Ad hoc or casual
•
Commonwealth Budget Based Funding Program services
•
Services funded by the Queensland Government to provide limited hours care
– CHAPTER 2 –
Approvals and Certificates
Approvals and certificates
A quick recap
• A new robust but streamlined approval system with
three interrelated approvals:
Provider
Approvals
Service
Approvals
Nominated Supervisor
(Supervisor Certificate)
Other educators
with a
Supervisor Certificate
• Under the new system provider and supervisor
approvals will be ongoing and nationally recognised
Approvals and certificates
Responsible persons
Responsible person
A ‘responsible person’ is defined in the National Law as:
• The Approved Provider—if the Approved Provider is
an individual—in any other case, a person with
management or control of the service; or
• The Nominated Supervisor of the service; or
• A Certified Supervisor who has been placed in
day-to-day charge of the service
Approvals and certificates
Nominated Supervisor
• Is a Certified Supervisor who consents to be Nominated
Supervisor
• Services may employ several staff who are Certified
Supervisors
• Only one Nominated Supervisor required for each service
• Responsible for day to day operation of the service, and its
compliance with the legislation, for instance:
- Adequate supervision of the children
- Protecting them from harm and hazards
- Meeting relevant educator-to-child ratios
Approvals and certificates
Certified Supervisor
New applicants for Supervisor Certificates
• Certificate deems individual as capable of being in day to day
charge of a service
• Certificate is nationally portable from service to service
• Must hold Blue Card (in QLD) or be a registered teacher
• Minimum age: 18 years
• Adequate knowledge and ability to effectively supervise a service
• Have at least one of the following:
- at least 3 years experience working as an educator OR
- an approved Diploma level qualification in education and care OR
- an approved early childhood teacher qualification
-
Without these, may apply only for school-age settings
Approvals and certificates
Declared approvals
Declared Provider Approvals for 1 January 2012
• From 1 January 2012, existing licensed operators will be
taken to be Approved Providers
• Provider Approvals will be issued by DET by 30 June 2012
• Transition information packs will be mailed to services in
December 2011
Declared Service Approvals for 1 January 2012
• From 1 January 2012, existing in-scope services will be taken
to be Approved Services
• Service Approvals will be issued by DET by 30 June 2012
Approvals and certificates
Declared supervisors
Declared supervisors for 1 January 2012
•
From 1 January 2012, all qualified (or working towards) Directors,
Coordinators and Group Leaders who are staff members of a licensed
service or nominees, will be declared as Certified Supervisors and
Nominated Supervisors
•
DET will issue certificates by 30 June 2012
•
Nominated Supervisors must be confirmed in writing
•
Providers will be asked to nominate their Nominated Supervisor
•
Persons declared as Nominated Supervisors can advise DET if they do
not consent to be the Nominated Supervisor for the service. The advice
to DET will cancel their status as a Nominated Supervisor, but they will
continue to be a Certified Supervisor
Approvals and certificates
Application for Provider Approval
New Provider Approval applicants
• Apply in the state/territory of residence or principal office
• Ongoing and recognised/accepted in all states/territories
• Fitness and propriety can be reassessed at any time
• Bankruptcy/insolvency public register will be checked
• Will be published on the Approved Provider register by
ACECQA
• In QLD, must hold a Blue Card/positive exemption notice or
be a registered teacher
• Application fee: $200 (new services only)
Approvals and certificates
Application for Service Approval
New applications for Service Approval
• Service Approval is about the premises
• Applications by Approved Providers
• Will be processed by DET regional offices
• Application fee varies according to size ($400-800)
• Annual fee varies according to size ($185-365)
Approvals and certificates
Application for Service Approval
What is different for QLD centre-based services?
• Nominated Supervisor
• No maximum capacity - approved number of places
determined by available space
• Associated children’s service – out-of-scope service
located at the same premises (e.g. Limited Hours Care)
Approvals and certificates
Application for Service Approval
What is different for Queensland?
• Family day care schemes can operate
across the country
• Centre-based service approval applications
must include:
- Soil assessment or equivalent
- Lease agreement or equivalent
Waivers
Service Waivers - Temporary Waivers
Approvals and certificates
Waivers
• Service waiver – provides a waiver on an
ongoing basis
• Temporary waiver – provides a waiver for a
fixed period (up to 12 months)
• Both waivers apply to physical environment
and staffing requirements only
Approvals and certificates
Waivers
Service waiver
•
Exemption from a physical environment and staffing
requirement
•
No impact on ratings
•
Can apply with Service Approval application
•
Service Waivers will be specified on the Service Approval
Example of service waiver
If unable to fence in accordance with National Regulations and Building
Code of Australia, but can demonstrate ability to maintain children’s
safety through alternative means
Approvals and certificates
Waivers
Temporary waiver
•
Apply for up to 12 months
•
Can apply with Service Approval application
•
Temporary waivers will be specified on the
Service Approval
Example of temporary waivers
In the event of flooding, a service may apply for a Temporary Waiver for
Regulation 112 in relation to requirements to have natural features, until
the grounds have been cleaned/replanted.
– CHAPTER 3 –
Assessments & ratings
Assessment and ratings
Quality Improvement Plan
Quality Improvement Plan
• Includes a self assessment
• Identifies areas for improvement
• Contains a statement of philosophy of the service
• Is updated at least annually
Timing
• Existing services: must be developed by 30 April 2012
• New services: must submit within three months of being
granted a Service Approval
Assessment and ratings
Quality Improvement Plan
Guide to developing a Quality Improvement Plan
(www.acecqa.gov.au)
• Background information
• Tips for undertaking a self assessment
• Examples of plans
Quality Improvement Plan template
• Service details
• Strengths and areas for improvement: 7 Quality Areas and related
Regulations
• The Plan: goals, priorities, steps, measures of success, tracking
Assessment and ratings
A quick recap
Assessed against the 7 Quality Areas of the NQS
1. Educational program and practice
2. Children’s health and safety
3. Physical environment
4. Staffing arrangements, including educator-to-child ratios
and qualifications
5. Relationships with children
6. Collaborative partnerships with families and communities
7. Leadership and service management
Assessment and ratings
A quick recap
Until first assessment and rating, must display:
• A prescribed provisional rating (s65)
“Provisional – Not Yet Assessed under the
National Quality Framework”
• National Childcare Accreditation Council rating
– CHAPTER 4 –
Operational requirements
Operational requirements
1. Educational program and practice
Approved learning frameworks
• Belonging, Being and Becoming –
The Early Years Learning Framework (birth - 5 yrs)
• My Time, Our Place –
Framework for School Age Care (6 - 12 yrs)
Operational requirements
2. Children’s health & safety
Health, safety and wellbeing of children (s77 – 84)
•
•
•
•
Adequate health and hygiene practices
Safe practices for handling, preparing and storing food
Meet children’s sleep and rest needs
Environment is free from use of tobacco, illicit drugs
and alcohol
Incident, injury, trauma and illness (s85 – 89)
• Parent of child must be notified as soon as practicable
– no more than 24 hrs
• Record of incident
Operational requirements
2. Children’s health & safety
First Aid kits (s89)
• Appropriate number of First Aid kits that are
suitably equipped, easy to find and accessible
Medical conditions policy and medication
procedures (s90)
• Similar to current Child Care Act 2002
• Services must develop a risk-minimisation plan
Operational requirements
2. Children’s health & safety
Administration of medication (s93-95)
• Must ensure administration is authorised by
parents and in accordance with prescription
unless in an anaphylaxis or asthma emergency
• If an emergency occurs, parents and emergency
services to be notified as soon as practical
Operational requirements
2. Children’s health & safety
Excursions (s100 – 102)
• Must do a risk assessment and seek authorisation
from parents
• Only an initial risk assessment is required for
regular outings unless circumstances change
• Movement to other areas in a school is not an
excursion
Operational requirements
3. Physical environment
Space requirements – indoor (s107), outdoor (s108)
• Unencumbered space per child:
− Indoor: at least 3.25 square metres
− Outdoor: at least 7 square metres
• Verandah may be included in indoor space with
written DET approval (cannot also be included as
outdoor space)
Operational requirements
3. Physical environment
Building Code arrangements for new services
Until 31 December
2011
1 January - May 2012
May 2012
Queensland
Development
Code
• Applies to licensed
centre based
services
• Applies to out-ofscope services
• Applies to in-scope
services (excluding
OSHC & FDC)
• Applies to out-ofscope services only
National
Regulations
under National
Law (Physical
Environments)
• N/A
• Applies to all in-scope • Applies to all in-scope
services
services
BCA
National
Building
Legislation
• Continue to meet
current
arrangements
• Continue to meet
current
arrangements
• BCA amended to
incorporate specific
standards for in-scope
services (excluding
OSHC & FDC)
Operational requirements
4. Staffing requirements
Staffing qualifications
• All educator qualifications will be approved and
determined by the new national body, ACECQA
• This includes First Aid certificates and overseas
qualifications
• Transitional qualification lists are expected to be
published by ACECQA
Operational requirements
4. Staffing requirements
Applying ratios under the NQF
• The education, health, safety and wellbeing of children are
paramount
• Minimum educator to child ratios apply at all times
• Ratios apply across an entire service, not necessarily by room
• Educators must be working directly with children to be
included in ratios
• Adequate supervision needs to be maintained at all times
• Educator-to-child ratios alone do not determine what is
considered adequate supervision
Operational requirements
4. Staffing requirements
Centre-based (long day care & kindergarten)
2012 qualification requirements
• All educators must hold (or be studying towards) at
a minimum a Certificate III qualification; and
• The first of every two educators must hold (or be
studying towards) a Diploma qualification or above
• There is no legislative requirement for a teacher
until 2014
Operational requirements
4. Staffing requirements
Centre-based (long day care & kindergarten)
2012 ratios
• Most current educator to child ratios will apply for
Queensland services until end 2015
• Services need to apply by 31 March 2012 to
continue using the 1:5 ratio for 15-24 months until
31 December 2017
• DET will contact eligible services in December 2011
to apply
Operational requirements
4. Staffing requirements
Centre-based ratios from 2012 to 2020
2012 – 2015
RATIO
2016 – 2017
RATIO
0-24 mths
1:4
0-24 mths
1:4
15-24 mths*
1:5
15-24 mths*
1:5
>24-35 mths
1:6
>30-35 mths
1:8
>24-35 mths
1:5
3 yrs <7 yrs
1:12
1:11
4 yrs <7 yrs
1:13
36 mths <school
age
4 yrs <14 yrs
1:12
School age**
1:15
School age**
1:15
1 JAN 2018+
RATIO
0-24 mths
1:4
>24-35 mths
1:5
36 mths <school age
1:11
School aged**
1:15
‘<‘ means less than and ‘>’ means more than
* Eligible services need to apply to continue using 1:5 ratio from 2012 until 2018
**Means a child enrolled in schooling (Prep onwards) and attending anytime the same
calendar year
Operational requirements
4. Staffing requirements
Mixed age ratios under the NQF
• A specific mixed age group ratio no longer exists
• For each educator, the relevant ratio for each child needs to
be maintained
• Older children can be included in the ratio of younger children
KNOWN GROUP
1 x 26 mth child and
2 x 32 mth children
1 Educator
:
ADDITIONAL GROUP
3 x 25 mth to prior to Prep aged children
+
OR
1 x 0-24 mth child
In the above scenario, the youngest child falls into the >24-35 months category, so
the ratio of 1:6 applies for children in the same age group or above. However, if a
younger child were included, then the lower ratio would apply (1:4).
Operational requirements
4. Staffing requirements
Centre-based (outside school hours care)
2012 qualification requirements
• Continue current requirements
2012 ratios
• Continue current requirements
Operational requirements
4. Staffing requirements
Family day care
2012 qualification requirements
• Educator – no change until 2014
• Coordinator – no change until 2014
2012 ratios
• No change – current ratios apply until 2016
Operational requirements
4. Staffing requirements
Additional requirements for ALL services - 2012
• Must appoint an educational leader
• At least one person with First Aid qualifications
– Asthma management
– Anaphylaxis management
Operational requirements
5. Relationships with children
Interactions with children (s155)
• Respectful and equitable relationships are
developed with each child
Relationships in groups (s156)
• Each child is supported to build and maintain
sensitive and responsive relationships with other
children and adults
• Must have regard for composition and size
of group
Operational requirements
6. Collaborative partnerships
Access for parents (s157)
• Required to allow parent of child to visit at any
time
• Can disallow parent’s entry if it will pose a risk
Operational requirements
7. Leadership & service management
Administration
Attendance and enrolment records (s158 – 162)
• Attendance, child enrolment, health information
kept by Approved Provider or FDC educator
Other adults at FDC residence (s163 – 166)
• Approved Provider of FDC must take reasonable
steps to ensure a person over 18 who resides at,
or is a FDC assistant is fit and proper
Operational requirements
7. Leadership & service management
Administration
Record of FDC visitors (s165)
• Must take all reasonable steps to ensure a record
is kept of all visitors
• Record of visitors must include signature of
visitor and the time of the visitor’s arrival and
departure
Children not to be left alone with visitors (s166)
– CHAPTER 5 –
Review, enforcement
and compliance
Review, enforcement and compliance
The approach
• Health, safety, wellbeing and education of
children is paramount
• Risk-based approach
• Focus on continuous improvement
Administration
Fees
• Some applications are subject to a fee
• Fees will be reinvested in the NQF
• Annual service fee payable by 1 July each year
• Centre based and family day care services have
different fee structures
Administration
Fees
Current requirement
New equivalent
Fees levied by the Department
Application fees for:
• $500 licence application fee (up to • $200 Provider Approval
3 yrs)
• $400 - $800 Service Approval
• $100 provisional licence
• $30 Supervisor Certificate
• $300 licence renewal (up to 3 yrs)
• $75 licence amendment
• $50 lift a suspension
• $300 transfer a licence
• $50 to replace a licence
NCAC annual fee
• $178 - $237
Annual fee
$185 - $365 annual fee
• No NCAC fee
• Range of fees levied for other
transactions, for example – notice to
transfer Service Approval, waiver,
rating re-assessment
– CHAPTER 6 –
Administration
REQUIRED POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ALL SERVICE TYPES (Reg 168)
Content
Reference
Existing QLD Child Care legislation
National Childcare Accreditation
Council
Health and safety
Delivery and collection of children

Reg 99; 168(2)(f)
Linkages to record keeping requirements.
Excursions
Reg 100 to 102;
168 (2)(g)
Refusal of authorisations for a child
to leave the service
Reg 168(2)(m)
Dealing with infectious disease
Reg 88; 168 (2)(c)
NQS 2.1
Dealing with medical conditions
Emergency and evacuation
Health and safety
including matters relating to nutrition, food and
beverages, dietary requirements; sun protection;
water safety; and administration of first aid
Child safe environment
Incident, injury, trauma and illness

Linkages to information to parents, record keeping.

Linkages to record keeping about collection of
children and parent access requirements.
Reg 90; 168(2)(d)
NQS 2.1
Reg 97; 168(2)(e)
NQS 2.3
Reg 168(2)(a)
NQS 2.2
NQS 2.3
NQS 2.3
NQS 2.1
Reg 168(2)(h)
NQS 2.3, 7.1
Reg 85; 168(2)(b)
NQS 2.1


Policy on child and staff immunisation and
infectious diseases.
Aligns

Linkages to record keeping requirements.

Aligns

Process for developing and implementing health
management plans for children with specific
medical needs.

Emergency procedures to be displayed.

Some linkages to information for parents and
record keeping requirements.

Linkages to health and safety matters provisions.

Aligns with current except for trauma and incident.

Policies on food and nutrition, food safety and
hygiene and sun protection.

Policies on child protection, use and storage of
dangerous products, safety checks and
maintenance of buildings and equipment,
occupational health and safety.
REQUIRED POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ALL SERVICE TYPES (Reg 168)
Content
Reference
Existing QLD Child Care legislation
National Childcare Accreditation Council
Staffing arrangements
Staffing
Including code of conduct; determining the
responsible person present; participation of
volunteers and students
Reg 168(2)(i)
NQS 4.2

Aligns with current except for
determining responsible person and
code of conduct.
Relationships with children
Interactions with children
Reg 155 to 156;
168(2)(l)
NQS 5.1, 5.2

Linkages to guiding principles

Policy on positive behaviour guidance
Service management
Governance and management
of the service
Reg 168(2)(a)
NQS 7.3

Linkages to confidentiality of records.
Including confidentiality of records
Enrolment and orientation
Reg 168(2)(k)
NQS 6.1
Payment of Fees
Reg 168(2)(n)
NQS 7.3
Dealing with Complaints
Reg 168(2)(o)
NQS 7.3

Linkages to record keeping
requirements.

Aligns

Documented procedures for grievance
and complaints handling.
ADDITIONAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR FAMILY DAY CARE SERVICES (Reg 169)
Content
Reference
Assessment, approval and reassessment of approved
family day care residences and family day care
venues
Reg 116; 169(2)(a)
NQS 2.3
Broadly links to coordinator functions
Recruitment of family day care educators
Reg 169(2)(b)
NQS 7.1
Broadly links to coordinator functions
Keeping a register of family day care educators
Reg 153; 169(2)(c)
Linkages to existing QLD Child Care legislation



Linkages to record keeping requirements
Monitoring, support and supervision of family day
care educators
Reg 169(2)(d)
NQS 4.2
Fit and proper assessment of family day care
educators, assistants and adults residing at family
day care residences
Reg 163; 169(2)(e)
NQS 7.1
Visitors to family day care residences and venues
Reg 165; 169(2)(f)

Linkages to coordinator functions.

Linkages to Act requirements/CCYPCG requirements

Linkages to coordinator functions and requirements
Provision of information, assistance and training to
family day care educators
Reg 169(2)(g)
NQS 4.2, 7.2
Engagement and registration of family day care
assistants
Reg 154; 169(2)(h)

Linkages to coordinator functions

Broad linkage to coordinator functions
Next Steps - NQF
Where to from here?
• QLD Parliament debate and passage of the Bill
• Services will receive a transition information pack in
December 2011
• Commencement of the Law and Regulations 1 January 2012
• National IT system commences in January 2012
• Assessment and Ratings process to be finalised
• Services to be assessed in mid 2012 will be contacted in
March/April
• Assessment and rating training and support
Resources
Education and Care Services
National Law
Education and Care Services
National Regulations
1
Guide to the
National Quality
Framework
Guide to the
National Law
and National
Regulations
Source
Documents
Support
Documents
2
3
National Quality Standard
Early Years Learning
Framework &
Framework for
School Age Care
(or other approved learning framework)
Guide to the
National Quality
Standard
4
Guide to
Developing a Quality
Improvement Plan
www.det.qld.gov.au/earlychildhood
www.acecqa.gov.au
Thank you for your participation