Key changes to the NQF and the NQS 2018

Since 2012 educators & services, along with the Government, have undertaken quite a journey in learning, embracing and embedding into practice the new system that the NQF & NQS brought about.

The introduction of the new system was intended to strengthen the quality in Early Childhood Care and Education. 

It has unquestionably been a significant journey for all within the Early Childhood sector with introduction of the new laws & regulations. It certainly has taken some time to roll out the system and assess service

In 2017, 88% of services had been assessed. 73% achieved a Meeting National Quality Standard or above as their service rating.

The challenge has always been to continue the improvement journey as well as support parents, carers and services of the education and services as best practice provided to the children.

So much has been learnt since 2012 that additional changes to the National Quality Framework were implemented on 1st October 2017. The changes came into effect for all states and territories, with a delayed except Western. The amendments to the NQS were introduced February 1, 2018.

The changes were tested first within the sector, families and communities before concluding that the changes would improve the overall Early Childhood system prior to implementation.

The changes enable the maintaining of the quality outcomes for children whilst also reducing the burden for educators and services in particular in the area of administration.

Prior to the changes it was often voiced that educators often feel swamped by the paperwork and the changes were introduced aid to alleviate this challenge.

Another main element of the recommendations related to the reduction of red tape.

• The removal of the Supervisors Certificate requirement. This enabled a service to individually decide who is to be their nominated responsible person.
• Changes within Family Day Care. Through support achieve quality across the sector and improve the overall compliance of the sector.
• Ratio of 1:15 for school aged children nationally.

Revising the NQS meant a few key changes after intense consultation with the education and care sector. essentially the changes were implemented in order to streamline the NQS overall and reduce overlap which resulted in most areas having a reduction of standards or consolidated.

• The removal of conceptual overlap of elements and standards including the language.The language was clearer with each standard and element now described as one single concept.
• A reduction in standards from 18 down to 15 and from 58 elements down to 40.
• Services now being assessed and rated against the revised NQS.
• Further clarification between Meeting NQS and Exceeding NQS rating levels for each standard.
• The application fee for Excellent rating has been removed. Services must be rated Exceeding in ALL areas to be considered eligible.
• ALL standards within a Quality area now need to be rated as Exceeding in the Quality Area to be achieve the Exceeding rating.  Although there are no changes to the way in which the overall Exceeding rating is calculated.
• Definitions have changed. The significant improvement required rating has changed from unacceptable risk to significant risk which will provide further clarity for families

For a your convenience please find a copy of the revised NQS and summary of changes https://www.acecqa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2018-07/RevisedNQSHandoutA4.pdf