Quality Improvement Plan
The aim of a Quality Improvement Plan is to help providers self-assess their performance in delivering quality education and care, and to plan future improvements.
The approved provider must ensure a Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) is in place for each service.
The aim of a QIP is to help providers self-assess their performance in delivering quality education and care, and to plan future improvements. The QIP also helps regulatory authorities with assessing the quality of the service.
Things to include
A QIP must:
- include an assessment of the programs and practices at the service against the National Quality Standard and National Regulations
- identify areas for improvement
- include a statement about the service’s philosophy.
A QIP should also document and celebrate the service's strengths. Read the Guide to the National Quality Framework for information on the self-assessment process and what is required.
Developing the QIP
The QIP must be provided in the following formats: (.doc, docx, .pdf, .bmp, .gif, .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .tiff, .rtf, .xls, .xlsx, .csv) and not exceed 20mb in file size. You can download this optional QIP template.
When writing the QIP, you should reflect on the outcomes of the self-assessment process.
You may prioritise areas for improvement against the 7 quality areas of the NQS and the related regulatory requirements. There is no requirement that all 15 standards and 40 elements are addressed in the QIP. The QIP should include the key areas for improvement.
Your service may have a range of documents to assist with and record the planning process. The QIP is a summary of the key areas prioritised for improvement.
Available on request and updated annually
A QIP must be:
- updated at least once a year
- available on request by the regulatory authority or parents of a child enrolled or looking to enrol at the service
- available at the principal office for family day care services.
- prepared for a new service within 3 months of the service approval being granted and provided to the regulatory authority on request.
This online course will support you in the development of a Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) for your service. The modules and accompanying workbook in the course outline the requirements of a QIP, self-assessment, involving your service community and how to use your QIP as part of your continuous improvement strategy.
Self-assessment Tool
Self-assessment against the NQS drives continuous improvement and is essential to providing quality outcomes for children. (Guide to the NQF)
ACECQA, in response to sector feedback, has developed a Self-assessment Tool to support approved providers, service leaders and educators assess the quality of their education and care service’s practices, policies and procedures, against the NQS, and the National Law and National Regulations.
Self-assessment is an important part of the quality improvement planning process. NQS Element 7.2.1 requires an effective self-assessment and quality improvement process to be in place.
The Self-assessment Tool will help you identify service strengths, areas of compliance, practices that are Exceeding NQS, and areas and opportunities for quality improvement. The Tool helps you through the process of self-assessment which can, where needed, inform your QIP.
ACECQA’s Self-assessment Tool is an optional tool suitable for all service types and provides a process that services may choose to apply or adapt in a way that meets the needs of their unique service context.