Australian Government - MyChild.gov.auNew improvements to early childhood education and care
On 7 December 2009 the Australian Government, in partnership with
state and territory governments, agreed to a number of improvements
to early childhood education and care through the introduction of a
National Quality Framework. The new framework will help to ensure
Australian children get the best possible start.
The new framework will cover long day care, family day care, outside
school hours care and preschools services.
The framework includes:
- a National Quality Standard, to help providers improve their services in the range of areas that impact on a child’s development
- improved staff-to-child ratios so that each child gets more individual care and attention
- new qualifications requirements for early childhood education and child workers, so staff are better able to lead activities that help children learn and develop
- a new quality rating system, so that parents will know the quality of care on offer and can make informed choices about which service is best for their child
- a new national body to guide the implementation and management of the overall framework.
The framework will begin to be implemented from 1 July 2010, with staff to child ratio and qualification changes being progressively implemented from 1 January 2012.
The final framework incorporates feedback received on the
Consultation Regulation Impact Statement from providers, families
and the early childhood sector.
Further information about the
National Quality Framework is
available.
Fact sheets about the National Quality Framework are available.