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National Quality Standard
The National Quality Standard sets a new national benchmark for the quality of children's education and care services. It will also give services and families a better understanding of a quality service. This enables families to make informed decisions about the services providing education and care to their child. The National Quality Standard is a key aspect of the National Quality Framework.
The National Quality Standard is located at schedule 1 of the National Regulations.
The National Quality Standard was informed by research about best practice and the way in which high quality education and care contributes to positive outcomes for children. It comprises quality areas, standards and elements. The seven quality areas in the National Quality Standard 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.
The National Quality Standard is linked to national learning frameworks that recognise children learn from birth and outline practices to support and promote children’s learning. These are:
- Belonging, Being and Becoming: The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia (‘Early Years Learning Framework’)
- My Time, Our Place: Framework for School Age Care in Australia (‘Framework for School Age Care’).
ACECQA provides oversight of the National Quality Standard and its application across the country to ensure that services are meeting the new requirements.