On December 7 2009, the Australian Government, in partnership with state and territory governments, agreed to a number of improvements to the early childhood education and care sector through the introduction of a National Quality Framework. The new framework covers long day care, family day care, outside school hour’s care, pre-schools and kindergarten services across Australia.

The Framework includes:

• The National Quality Standard for Early Childhood Education and Care and School Age Care
• Improved staff to child ratios
• New qualification requirements for early childhood educators
• A new quality rating system
• A new national body to guide the implementation and management of the overall framework

NATIONAL QUALITY STANDARD (NQS) QUALITY AREAS AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES

QUALITY AREAS:

1. Educational program and practice
2. Children’s health and safety
3. Physical environment
4. Staffing arrangements, including staff to child ratios and qualifications
5. Relationships with children
6. Collaborative partnerships with families and communities
7. Leadership and service management

GUIDING PRINCIPLES:

• The rights of the child are paramount
• Children are successful, competent and capable learners
• Equity, inclusion and diversity
• Valuing Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures
• The role of parents and families is respected and supported
• High expectations for children, educators and service providers

The quality areas and guiding principles of the National Quality Standard reflect many Lady Gowrie policies and the shared understandings of our Queensland kindergarten learning guideline curriculum currently in operation at Broadbeach Kindergarten.