National Quality Standard and the Education Quality Improvement Plan

This report provides an overview of the National Quality Standard (NQS) and its role in the development and implementation of Quality Improvement Plans (QIPs) within educational services. It emphasizes the regulatory requirements for approved providers to assess their service practices against the NQS, identify areas for improvement, and articulate their service philosophy. The report also highlights the importance of reviewing and revising the QIP annually, with consideration to the NQS. Furthermore, it discusses the ACECQA Quality Improvement Plan template as a tool to assist providers in meeting their obligations. The report includes detailed sections on Quality Area 1 (Educational program and practice) and Quality Area 2 (Children’s health and safety), summarizing strengths, identifying key improvements, and outlining steps for achieving desired outcomes. The exceeding NQS themes are also addressed, focusing on embedded practice, critical reflection, and meaningful engagement with families and community. The document provides a comprehensive framework for continuous quality improvement in education and care services.

The National Quality Standard and Quality Improvement
The National Quality Standard is the standard against which providers self-
assess the performance of their service/s in delivering quality education
and care, and plan future improvements to their service/s. One result of
this process is a Quality Improvement Plan (QIP).
The Education and Care Services National Regulations 2017 (the National
Regulations) require approved providers to prepare a Quality Improvement
Plan (regulation 55) for each service that:
 includes an assessment by the provider of the quality of the
practices of the service against the National Quality Standard
 and the National Regulations; and
 identifies any areas that the provider considers may require
improvement; and
 contains a statement of philosophy of the service.
The National Regulations do not prescribe a format for a Quality
Improvement Plan. The purpose of this template is to offer a format that
supports approved providers to meet their obligations under the National
Regulations.
Approved providers also have an obligation (r56) to review and revise the
Quality Improvement Plan at least annually, having regard to the National
Quality Standard.
A Quality Improvement Plan must be reviewed and/or submitted to the
regulatory authority on request. The National Regulations do not prescribe
a format for a Quality Improvement Plan.
Approved providers also have an obligation (r56) to review and revise the
Quality Improvement Plan at least annually, having regard to the National
Quality Standard. A Quality Improvement Plan must be reviewed and/or
submitted to the regulatory authority on request.
About the ACECQA Quality Improvement Plan template
The purpose of this template is to offer a planning format that supports
approved providers to meet their obligations under the National
Regulations.
This template provides quick links to helpful resources for each quality
area in the Guide to the National Framework and the ACECQA website.
Exceeding NQS themes guidance
The Exceeding NQS sections provided for each standard should be
completed when there is evidence of one or more Exceeding NQS themes
demonstrated in the practice at the service.
When the QIP is submitted to the regulatory authority for assessment and
rating, an authorised officer will consider the evidence documented and
gathered at the assessment visit to determine if the Exceeding NQS themes
are being met.
For further information on the three Exceeding themes, including what
authorised officers consider when reviewing whether evidence
demonstrates a theme, see ACECQA’s Exceeding the NQS webpage.

Service details
Service name Service approval number
Primary contacts at service
Physical location of service Physical location contact details
Street Telephone
Suburb Mobile
State/territory Fax
Postcode Email
Approved Provider Nominated Supervisor
Primary contact Name
Telephone Telephone
Mobile Mobile
Fax Fax
Email Email
Postal address (if different to physical
location of service)
Street State/territory
Suburb Postcode
Educational leader
Name
Telephone
Email

Operating hours
For each day of the week this service is open, indicate the times of the day when education and care is provided. For centre-based services, this does not
include non-contact hours for staff.
Describe the scheduled opening and closing times using a 24 hour clock (e.g. 07:30 to 18:00) rather than ‘AM’ and ‘PM’.
Round times to the nearest quarter of an hour.
If the service is open for two sessions per day, please indicate the opening and closing times for both sessions.
Family day care services or multi-site services should list the operating hours of the service office.
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
Opening time
Closing time

Additional information about your service
The following information will assist the regulatory authority to plan the assessment visit.
Provide additional information about your service—parking, school holiday dates, pupil-free days, etc.
How are the children grouped at your service?
Write the name and position of person(s) responsible for submitting this Quality Improvement Plan (e.g. Cheryl Smith, Nominated Supervisor)
For family day care services, indicate the number of educators currently registered in the service and attach a list of the educators and their
addresses.
No. of educators:_________

Service statement of philosophy
Please insert your service’s statement of philosophy here.

Quality Area 1: Educational program and practice
This quality area of the National Quality Standard focuses on ensuring that the educational program and practice is stimulating and engaging and enhances children’s
learning and development. In school age care services, the program nurtures the development of life skills and complements children’s experiences, opportunities and
relationships at school, at home and in the community.
Additional information and resources about Quality Area 1 are available in the Guide to the National Quality Framework and the ACECQA website.
Quality Area 1: Standards and elements
Standard 1.1 The educational program enhances each child’s learning and
development.
Approved learning
framework
Element 1.1.1 Curriculum decision-making contributes to each
child’s learning and development outcomes in
relation to their identity, connection with
community, wellbeing, confidence as learners and
effectiveness as communicators.
Child-centred Element 1.1.2 Each child’s current knowledge, strengths, ideas,
culture, abilities and interests are the foundation
of the program.
Program learning
opportunities
Element 1.1.3 All aspects of the program, including routines, are
organised in ways that maximise opportunities
for each child’s learning.
Standard 1.2 Educators facilitate and extend each child’s learning and
development.
Intentional teaching Element 1.2.1 Educators are deliberate, purposeful, and
thoughtful in their decisions and actions.
Responsive teaching and
scaffolding
Element 1.2.2 Educators respond to children’s ideas and play
and extend children’s learning through open-
ended questions, interactions and feedback.

Child directed learning Element 1.2.3 Each child’s agency is promoted, enabling them
to make choices and decisions that influence
events and their world.
Standard 1.3 Educators and co-ordinators take a planned and reflective approach
to implementing the program for each child.
Assessment and planning
cycle
Element 1.3.1 Each child’s learning and development is assessed
or evaluated as part of an ongoing cycle of
observation, analysing learning, documentation,
planning, implementation and reflection.
Critical reflection Element 1.3.2 Critical reflection on children’s learning and
development, both as individuals and in groups,
drives program planning and implementation.
Information for families Element 1.3.3 Families are informed about the program and
their child’s progress.
National Law and National Regulations underpinning Quality Area 1
The table below shows the sections of the National Law and National Regulations underpinning Quality Area 1 and lists the most relevant element of the NQS
associated with each section and regulation. Please note that this table serves as a guide only and regulatory authorities have flexibility in how they assign
non-compliance with the National Law and National Regulations against the quality areas, standards and elements of the NQS.
National Law and National Regulations
Section 51(1)(b) Conditions on service approval (educational and developmental needs of children) 1.1.1
Section 168 Offence relating to required programs 1.1.1, 1.1.2
Regulation 73 Educational program 1.1.1
Regulation 74 Documenting of child assessments or evaluations for delivery of educational program 1.3.1

National Law and National Regulations
Regulation 75 Information about educational program to be kept available 1.3.3
Regulation 76 Information about educational program to be given to parents 1.3.3
Regulation 274A
NSW
Programs for children over preschool age 1.3.1
Regulation 289A
NT
Programs for children over preschool age 1.3.1
Regulation 298A
Queensland
Programs for children over preschool age 1.3.1

Quality Improvement Plan for Quality Area 1
Summary of strengths for Quality Area 1
Strengths
my strength is that I have knowledge about the educational
framework which is used while providing learning to the learners.
[Summarise strengths identified in the self-assessment process. Delete if not required.]

Summary of strengths in practice where there is evidence of Exceeding NQS themes
Notes:
 This Exceeding NQS section is to be completed when there is evidence of one or more of the Exceeding NQS themes demonstrated in the practice at your service.
 Additional information about the Exceeding NQS themes is available on ACECQA’s Exceeding the NQS webpage.
Standard 1.1 – Program: The educational program enhances each child’s learning and development.
Exceeding themes
1. Practice is embedded in
service operations
By using the strength I have delivered effecting teaching practice.
2. Practice is informed by critical
reflection
I have used my knowledge and different skills in order to teach students
3. Practice is shaped by
meaningful engagement with
families, and/or community
I have also discussed with the families of the students about their learning practice.
Summary of strengths in practice where there is evidence of Exceeding NQS themes

Notes:
 This Exceeding NQS section is to be completed when there is evidence of one or more of the Exceeding NQS themes demonstrated in the practice at your service.
 Additional information about the Exceeding NQS themes is available on ACECQA’s Exceeding the NQS webpage.
Standard 1.2 – Practice: Educators facilitate and extend each child’s learning and development.
Exceeding themes
1. Practice is embedded in
service operations
As educator I have make sure that children is getting knowledge.
2. Practice is informed by critical
reflection
Educators plays vital role in shaping the mind of an individual.
3. Practice is shaped by
meaningful engagement with
families, and/or community
Learning process of child also requires efforts of parents as only the efforts of educators are not enough.
Summary of strengths in practice where there is evidence of Exceeding NQS themes
Notes:
 This Exceeding NQS section is to be completed when there is evidence of one or more of the Exceeding NQS themes demonstrated in the practice at your service.