The National Quality Framework aims to raise quality and drive continuous improvement and consistency in education and care services through:
- a national legislative framework
- a National Quality Standard
- a national quality rating and assessment process
- a new national body called the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority.
The NQF is a document created to support centres of all kinds in teaching and assisting children in their early years development. The document is part of the NQS (National Quality Standard) and all centres must be in compliment with it. Although this document has only recently been released and roled out to all centres, on Janurary the 1st 2012, they will start assessing it half way through the new year to ensure that it up to date and relevant to all centers nationaly.
The National Quality Standard sets a new national benchmark for the quality of education and care services. The National Quality Standard is divided into seven Quality Areas:
- Educational program and practice
The educational program and practice is stimulating, engaging and enhances children’s learning and development. In school age care services the program nurtures the development of life skills and complements children’s experiences, opportunities and relationships at school, at home and in the community
- Children’s health and safety
Every child’s health and wellbeing is safeguarded and promoted. Children are encoraged to explore their environments in a safe way, as well as have access to resources that promote healthy eating and safe activities.
- Physical environment
The physical environment is safe, suitable and provides a rich and diverse range of experiences which promote children’s learning and development.
- Staffing arrangements
Staffing arrangements create a safe and predictable environment for children and support warm, respectful relationships. Qualified and experienced educators and coordinators encourage children’s active engagement in the learning program. Positive relationships among educators, coordinators and staff contribute to an environment where children feel emotionally safe, secure and happy.
- Relationships with children
Relationships that are responsive, respectful and promote children’s sense of security and belonging free them to explore the environment and engage in learning.
- Collaborative partnerships with families and communities
Collaborative relationships with families are fundamental to achieve quality outcomes for children. Community partnerships that focus on active communication, consultation and collaboration also contribute to children’s learning and wellbeing.
- Leadership and service management.
Effective leadership contributes to sustained quality relationships and environments that facilitate children’s learning and development. Well documented policies and practices that are developed and regularly evaluated in partnership with educators, coordinators, staff and families contribute to the ethical management of the service. There is a focus on continuous improvement.
The National Quality Framework is an important reform which will deliver a higher standard of care for children in the critical areas of education, health and safety and will provide clearer and comprehensive information for families so they can choose the best services for their child.
As the NQF is still being introduced and hasnt been fully released they have updates available to any changes that they have made thus far on their website as well as extra information that you may require.
http://www.deewr.gov.au/earlychildhood/policy_agenda/quality/pages/home.aspx
For extra information on the NQS (National Quality Standard) and NQF (National Quality Framkework, look at this document to understand more about the above outcomes.
http://www.deewr.gov.au/Earlychildhood/Policy_agenda/quality/documents/nqstandardchildedu.pdf
Early Childhood Education 