Overview of the National Regulations & National Quality Standard Childcare Queensland

1. Overview of theNational Regulations & National Quality Standard Childcare Queensland April 2012

2. Presentation overview • Operational requirements • - Educator to child ratios • - Educator qualifications • Assessment and ratings • Conclusion • Resources

3. Operational requirements of the National Regulations

4. Educator to child ratios

5. 1. Operational requirements Educator to child ratios • Calculating ratios – Implications for Queensland • Ratios apply across the service, not necessarily by room • Ratios are minimum standards • Services should consider outcomes for children, all seven Quality Areas of the NQS and impacts on service assessment and ratings

6. 1. Operational requirements Educator to child ratios • Long day care • No major changes to educator to child ratios until 1 January 2016 • 1:4 ratio for 0-24 months introduced nationally 1 January 2012 • Eligible services must have applied by 31 March 2012 to continue using the 1:5 ratio for 15-24 months until 31 December 2017 • Mixed age 1:7 ratio no longer applies.

7. 1. Operational requirements Educator to child ratios ‘<‘ means less than and ‘>’ means more than 1Only applies if a service is approved by the Department to continue using 1:5 ratio from 31 March 2012 until 2018. Services licensed or approved from 1 January 2011 are ineligible. 2School age means a child enrolled in schooling (Prep onwards) and attending anytime the same calendar year 3 From 2012, the 1:7 ratio cannot include more than four children preschool age or under. 4 Includes an educator's own children under school age until 2015 and then all children less than 13 years of age from 2016.

8. 1. Operational requirements Educator to child ratios • Mixed age group ratios – what has changed? • 1:7 mixed age group ratio no longer exists • For mixed groups, the relevant ratio for each age group needs to be maintained • How does this work? • The ratio of the youngest child in each educator’s care applies • Older children can be included in the ratio of younger children as long as the ratio of the youngest child is not exceeded

9. 1. Operational requirements Educator to child ratios • Considerations in determining staffing • Minimum educator to child ratios are maintained at all times (Regulation 123) • Only educators working directly with children are included in the ratio (Regulation 122) • Adequate supervision is maintained at all times (Regulation 120) • The education, health, safety and wellbeing of children are paramount • Outcomes for children – develop relationships with other children and adults (Regulation 155 – 156)

10. Educator qualifications

11. 1. Operational requirements Educator qualifications • Centre-based (under school age) • 1 January 2012 • All educators must hold (or be actively working towards) at a minimum a Certificate III qualification; and • The first of every two educators must hold (or be actively working towards) a Diploma qualification or above • 1 January 2014 • At least 50% of educators caring for children pre-school age or under that are required to meet minimum educator to child ratios within a service will need to hold, or be actively working towards, a Diploma qualification or above. • An early childhood teacher (more details on upcoming slide)

12. Centre-based (under school age) 1 To be actively working towards a qualification an educator must be a) enrolled in the course, b) able to provide evidence to an Approved Provider that they have commenced study, c) making satisfactory progress, d) meeting the requirements for maintaining their enrolment as determined by the provider of the course, and e) holds an approved Certificate III level qualification if a Diploma holder. . Refer Regulation 10 for further detail. 2The definition of actively working towards requires an educator to demonstrate they are making satisfactory progress towards completing a qualification, as determined by the provider of the course. This is a change from the former Child Care Act 2002, whereby educators had a defined date to complete the course. 3In 2014, educators no longer have a three month grace period to commence study. For Diploma qualifications, educators must hold the relevant Certificate III. Regulation 302.

13. Centre-based (under school age)

14. 1. Operational requirements Educator qualifications • Other qualifications – First Aid & Anaphylaxis • For all centre-based services - 1) at least one educator who holds a current first aid qualification must be present at all times; AND 2) at least one educator who has undertaken anaphylaxis and asthma management training must also be present. One person can hold all required qualifications. • Educators with a first aid qualification recognised prior to 1 January 2012 will only be required to renew or update this qualification when it expires, or by 31 December 2012, whichever comes first. • Services that did not require this training under the Child Care Act 2002 have until 1 January 2013 to meet this requirement (Regulation 246-247).

15. 1. Operational requirements Physical environment Building requirements

16. 1. Operational requirements Information to be displayed • Range of information to be displayed at the • Service including: • the name of the educational leader at the service • the name and telephone number of the person to whom complaints may be addressed • the name and position of the responsible person in charge at any given time • the name of the Nominated Supervisor • the hours and days of operation • the contact details for the Regulatory Authority (i.e DETE Regional office)

17. 3. National RegulationsAssessment and ratings Assessment & Rating

18. 2. Assessment and ratings Where to start? • Self-assessment and quality improvement • planning process • Become familiar with the seven quality areas of the NQS and related regulatory requirements (Schedule 1, page 325 of the National Regulations) • Refer to the Guide to the NQS • Engage with the approved learning frameworks • Develop the Quality Improvement Plan

19. 2. Assessment and ratings 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)

20. 2. Assessment and ratings 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.

21. 2. Assessment and ratings 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

22. 2. Assessment and ratings The Quality Improvement Plan Summary of strengths and issues identified during self-assessment

23. 2. Assessment and ratings The Quality Improvement Plan Quality Improvement Plan: example

24. 2. Assessment and ratings 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

25. 2. Assessment and ratings Formal assessment and rating Steps in the assessment and rating process

26. 2. Assessment and ratings Formal assessment and rating • Tips for preparing for the assessment visit: • Inform parents and educators prior to the visit • Introduce the Authorised Officer • Collaborate with the Authorised Officer • Ensure documentation related to the NQS and regulatory requirements is readily available

27. 2. Assessment and ratings Formal assessment and rating • Five levels against which services will be assessed: • Excellent (highest level) • Exceeding National Quality Standard • Meeting National Quality Standard • Working towards National Quality Standard • Significant Improvement Required (lowest level)

28. 3. Conclusion • Start the process of evaluating the quality of service provision against the NQS • Embed the approved learning frameworks into the education and care program • Familiarise yourself with the resources available • Develop your Quality Improvement Plan • Focus on particular areas for improvement • DETE regional officers are available to assist

29. Guide to the National Quality Framework 1 Guide to the National Law and National Regulations 2 www.det.qld.gov.au/earlychildhood www.acecqa.gov.au 4. Resources Education and Care Services National Law National Quality Standard Assessment and Rating Instrument Guide to Assessment and Rating for Services Education and Care Services National Regulations Support Documents Source Documents Guide to the National Quality Standard Guide to Developing a Quality Improvement Plan Guide to Assessment and Rating for Regulatory Authorities 3 4 National Quality Standard Early Years Learning Framework & Framework for School Age Care (or other approved learning framework)

30. 4. Resources det.qld.gov.au / earlychildhood • Podcasts • FAQs • Regulation information • Policies and procedures • A-to-Z

31. Questions?