Early Years Reform
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EmailNational Quality Framework for early childhood education and care and school age care
On 7 December 2009, the Council of Australian Governments agreed to a new National Quality Framework for early childhood education and care and school age care.
The Framework is a jointly-governed, integrated licensing and quality assurance system and will apply to long day care, family day care, outside school hours care and preschools (kindergartens) from 1 January 2012. It will replace the current licensing and accreditation processes undertaken by the States and Territories and the Commonwealth.
Key elements of the National Quality Framework include streamlined regulatory arrangements, a quality rating system and a strong National Quality Standard incorporating improved staff/child ratios and staff qualifications requirements. It incorporates feedback received on the consultation Regulation Impact Statement, released by COAG in July 2009.
The Framework will promote positive developmental outcomes for Victorian children and provide families with information to make informed choices about services for their children. It will be implemented progressively from 1 July 2010, when the National Childcare Accreditation Council will, in partnership with state and territory regulatory bodies, begin to assess some services against the National Quality Standard.
Until the National Quality Framework is fully implemented on 1 January 2012, the Victorian Children’s Services Act 1996 and Children’s Services Regulations 2009 will continue to apply to services.
Please find further information about the Framework attached. Additional fact sheets and information about COAG’s reform agenda for early childhood is available on the following websites:
Click on the PDF document below to download the Information for Victorian Services brochure
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