TOP TIPS: Improving NQS Ratings in Quality Area 1 – Child Care Central

Quality Area 1 (QA1) of the National Quality Standards (NQS) is a crucial aspect of ensuring that child care services provide a safe, hygienic, and stimulating environment for children to learn and develop. It evaluates the physical environment, including indoor and outdoor spaces, the health and safety practices, and the policies and procedures in place to support the well-being of children. The NQS ratings in Quality Area 1 help child care services determine their level of compliance with the National Quality Framework and provide a clear understanding of the steps they need to take to improve the quality of their service.  

The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and My Time, Our Place (MTOP) are key guides for child care services in their approach to learning and care. Together, EYLF and MTOP support services in creating an environment that is inclusive, responsive, and nurturing for children, ensuring that they receive the best possible start in life. By aligning your service’s practices with these frameworks, major improvements can be made to National Quality Standard (NQS) ratings in Quality Area 1. To learn more about these guidelines, click here. 

Here are some top tips to help improve your NQS ratings in QA1: 

Tip 1: Assess your current Programming and Practices 

Take an honest and critical look at your current program and practices to identify areas that need improvement. Using your findings, identify gaps and make necessary changes to meet EYLF and MTOP standards. For example, services can: 

1. Improve the physical environment

   – assess indoor and outdoor spaces to ensure they are safe, hygienic, and conducive to learning and play. For example, rearrange furniture to create more open spaces, provide additional storage to reduce clutter, or install additional lighting to improve visibility.

    

1. Implement intentional teaching

   – The EYLF and MTOP guidelines encourage intentional teaching practices that are responsive to children’s individual needs and interests. An example of this could be setting clear learning goals or regularly evaluating and adjusting your teaching practices.

    

1. Encourage child-led activities

   – The EYLF and MTOP emphasise the importance of allowing children to take the lead in their learning and play. Create opportunities for children to explore, create, and play in their own way. This is ultimately aided by point 1.

    

Tip 2: Listen to Feedback from Families 

To improve National Quality Standard (NQS) ratings in Quality Area 1, it is important to involve families and communities in your child care program and listen to their feedback. According to the EYLF Framework for Belonging, Being and Becoming, building genuine partnerships with families is crucial to children’s learning and wellbeing.

The most key step towards doing this is listening to feedback. This way, staff can better understand the needs, aspirations, and cultural background of the children in their care, and create a welcoming and inclusive environment. When families, the community, and early childhood educators come together and work as partners, the quality of the educational experience for children is increased and outcomes are improved.  

Tip 3: Utilise Child Care Central’s Program & Practices Module 

Child Care Central’s Program & Practices Module is an excellent tool for Child Care Central Software users looking to increase the quality of their programs. This module can help streamline programming by offering a range of features that make it easier to stay up to date with the latest EYLF and MTOP standards. Document and observe children’s learning through a secure and easily accessible digital learning record that can be accessed on a smartphone, tablet, or desktop.  

With the ability to upload photos, videos and keep track of daily care activities, the Program & Practices Module offers an end-to-end solution for recording children’s learning journeys and linking it to the relevant standards. Services even have the option to share this information with families via the Parent Portal, helping them stay updated on their child’s progress.  

Have confidence that your service is providing the best possible care for children.

To learn more about the Program & Practices Module, click here.

To learn more about Quality Area 1 – Educational program and practice, click here.