CHCECE019 Facilitate compliance in an education and care service Part 4 Becoming a leader Chapter 13 CHCECE019 Facilitate compliance in an education and care service

Facilitate compliance in an education and care service The National Quality Framework (NQF) introduced in January 2012 consists of: Education and Care Services National Law Education and Care Services National Regulations National Quality Standards.

Element 1: Interpret the National Quality Framework The National Law is adopted by each state and territory. The NQF creates a national approach to the regulation and quality assessment of education and care services. Services are required to engage in quality assessment and continuous quality improvement.

What do the National Regulations cover? Approvals and certificates Operational requirements Physical environment Staffing arrangements Relationships with children Partnerships with families and communities Leadership and service management

What areas are covered by the National Quality Standards? The seven Quality Areas in the NQS are: Educational program and practice Children’s health and safety Physical environment Staffing arrangements Relationships with children Collaborative partnerships with families and communities Leadership and service management.

Approved learning frameworks Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) ‘Belonging, Being and Becoming: The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia’. Framework for School Age Care (FSAC) ‘My Time, Our Place: Framework for School Age Care in Australia’.

The Early Years Learning Framework outcomes Children have a strong sense of identity. Children are connected with and contribute to their world. Children have a strong sense of wellbeing. Children are confident and involved learners. Children are effective communicators.

Approved learning frameworks

Assessment and rating process Continuous quality improvement in the NQS is driven by an ongoing process of self- assessment and an external assessment and rating process. Services are assessed and rated against the NQS and are required to develop Quality Improvement Plans to guide their future progress.

Element 2: Facilitate an organisational self-assessment An effective self-assessment involves an ongoing process of reflection and evaluation. Collecting information from children, families and the community is critical. Collaborating with all stakeholders and educators is an important part of the process.

Element 3: Facilitate the development of a Quality Improvement Plan A Quality Improvement Plan must be prepared by all services and must include: an assessment of the quality of the practices against the NQS and the National Regulations identified areas requiring improvement the philosophy of the service.

Self-assessment and reflection for quality improvement To develop an effective QIP, services should regularly assess the quality of their practices through: a collaborative approach to self-reflection, evaluation and quality improvement collecting comprehensive information identifying the service’s strengths.

Element 4: Coordinate the service for a site visit In preparation for the visit, inform all staff, families and children that they have been selected and the assessment and rating process has commenced. Inform them about what to expect through newsletters and meetings. On the day of the visit the service will nominate a ‘key contact person’.

Summary By understanding the NQF, educators will be prepared to meet the requirements of the National Law, the National Regulations and the NQS for childcare services. Educators have an important role in complying with all aspects of the NQF.