UnitingCare Victoria and Tasmania
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE
POLICY MANUAL
1. Introduction
This Manual provides the policies and procedures necessary for UCVT early childhood education and
care services to meet the legislative, regulatory and funding requirements set out by Department of
Education and Training (DET), and incorporates the requirements of the Education and Care
Services National Law Act 2010 (National Law), Education and Care Services National Regulations
2011 (National Regulations), and National Quality Standard (NQS).
Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) Guide to the Education and
Care Services National Law and the Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011 and
Guide to the National Quality Standard have been used extensively in the preparation of the Policies
contained in this Manual. These Guides should be used alongside this Manual.
UCVT gratefully acknowledges the KPV PolicyWorks Manual – National Quality Framework in the
preparation of this Manual.
2. National Quality Framework
The National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education and Care (NQF) commenced on 1
January 2012 with the aim of providing every Australian child with the best start in life through access
to high quality early childhood education and care, and school aged care services. The NQF is
designed to assist providers to improve the quality of services and enable families to make informed
decisions about the bets service for their child.
The National Quality Framework includes 1:
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A national legislative framework that consists of the National Law and National regulations
A National Quality Standard
An assessment and rating system
A regulatory authority in each State and Territory with 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 National Quality Standard. In Victoria the
Department of Education and Training has taken on the regulatory role.
The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA). This national
body is responsible for providing oversight of the National Quality Framework and System
and ensuring consistency of approach.
3. National Regulations and the National Quality Standard
Regulations 168-172 of the Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011(National
Regulations), and the National Quality Standard (NQS) requires as Approved provider to ensure that
policies and procedures are in place at the service, and that copies are available and accessible by all
Committee of Management members, educators, staff, volunteers, families and the Regulatory
Authority. The Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) must also take all reasonable steps to ensure that
the policies and procedures are followed by everyone at the service.
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ACECQA website: www.acecqa.gov.au
The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) have produced a Guide to
the Education and Care Services National Law and the Education and Care Services National
Regulations 2011. The Guide indicates that: policies should be informed the by service’s
philosophy statement, Early Childhood Australia’s Code of Ethics and current advice from
recognised authorities.
In the National Quality Standard, Quality Area 7 – Leadership and Service Management – Element
7.3.5. requires that: service practices are based on effectively documented policies and
procedures that are available at the service and reviewed regularly.
4. Purpose
Clearly articulated policies and procedures are needed in order to:
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Provide a framework for service operation
Enable a consistent approach
Provide future direction for decision making and assist in the resolution of difficulties
Promote smooth transition where there are changes to management or staff
Provide a framework for compliance with legislative and regulatory obligations
Improve the management of risk
Guide day-to-day practice and decision making
Act as a tool for marketing the service’s program, outlining what new and potential users of
the service can expect
Confusion, conflict and poor decision making can result where there is no guidance from policies.2
5. Implementation of Policies and Procedures
In the case of all policies contained in this Manual, the service’s Parent Advisory Committee (PAC)
needs to implement the policies by:
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Making each policy available to those who require it
Informing and training educators, PAC members, parents/guardians, children and others
impacted by the policy/policy change
Updating/ publicising the policy in the service’s communications, including files, brochures,
newsletters, websites, information nights etc.
Giving 14 days’ notice to parents before making any change to a policy or procedure that
would affect fees, have a significant impact on any child, or affect a family’s ability to use the
service. This is a legal requirement under the National Regulations.
Monitoring the implementation of new or revised policy to measure its impact and determine
whether it is meeting intended outcomes. It is also important to ensure that there are no
unintended consequences or difficulties with the policy which may require modification or
discontinuation.3
6. Review of Policies and Procedures
The NQS indicates that the review of policies and procedures should take place in collaboration with
families. Establishing a policy sub-committee can be an effective way to develop and review policies.
Utilising key people from service stakeholder groups with a range of skills, knowledge and
perspectives contributes to the effective development and review of policies.
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PolicyWorks Manual – National Quality Framework. Kindergarten Parents Victoria 2012
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Early Childhood Education and Care Policy Manual
Policies and procedures should be reviewed regularly in order to meet changing needs and comply
with legislation. The policies in this Manual include a review date at the end of each policy. This
represents the latest date for review of the policy. However, policies can be prioritised for review
according to how often the content is expected change. Other triggers for a review include a
legislative change or a serious incident at the service. Policies should be up to date with current
research and contemporary views on best practice, and support a shared understanding of a service’s
practices (NQS Element 7.3.5).
7. Definitions
7.1 Commonly used terms
For commonly used terms, such as Approved Provider, Nominated Supervisor, Regulatory Authority,
etc., please refer to the General Definitions section of this Manual.
7.2 Other relevant terms
Policy: A formal statement of principles which provides a framework for decision making and
indicates the course of action to be taken in specific circumstances. Polices provide services with an
approved way of operating in relation to particular matters and improve the management of risk. They
reflect the service philosophy, current thinking, national standards and community expectations, and
are relevant in terms of current laws and regulations.
Procedures: The steps required to implement and comply with a policy. They specify how to achieve
the necessary result by outlining who does what and when. Procedures are succinct, factual and to
the point, and might generally be expressed as a list. 4
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Early Childhood Education and Care Policy Manual