National Quality Framework Educator to child ratios Podcast Series: 1

1. National Quality FrameworkEducator to child ratios Podcast Series: 1 February 2012

2. Presentation overview • Overview of educator to child ratios • Key changes for services • Mixed aged group ratios • Excursions • Conclusion • Resources • Video

3. 1. Overview of ratios • What has changed? • First increase to ratios occurring in 2016 • Calculated across the service • Based on all children under one Service Approval regardless of room or building configuration • 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

4. 6 44 Educators Children National Quality Framework (Across the service – under one Service Approval) 25-35 mths 36 mths-school age 0-24 mths 2 12 2 8 2 24 Educators Children Child Care Act 2002 (Determined by individual rooms)

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

6. 2. Key changes for services ‘<‘ 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 *** From 2012, the 1:7 ratio cannot include more than four children preschool age or under. ****Includes an educator's own children under school age until 2015 and then all children less than 13 years of age from 2016.

7. 3. 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

8. 4. Excursions • There is no explicit ratio for excursions, however minimum ratios cannot be exceeded • Prepare a risk assessment and seek authorisation from parents (Section 100 – 102) • Only an initial risk assessment is required for regular outings unless circumstances change (more than annual) • Movement to other areas in a school is not an excursion

9. 5. Conclusion • Things to consider • Impact on the quality of the program for each child • Each of the seven quality areas of the National Quality Standard and desired quality ratings • Ratios are minimum requirements • Use professional judgement • Ensure adequate supervision at all times

10. Guide to the National Quality Framework 1 Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) www.acecqa.gov.au Guide to the National Law and National Regulations 2 Page 173 for Risk Assessment Template Guide to the National Quality Standard 3 Fact Sheets Regional Officers Website 6. Resources Department of Education and Training www.det.qld.gov.au/earlychildhood

11. Thank you

12. VIDEO Click on the symbol on the lower right of the screen for a demonstration on mixed age group ratios