Assessment and ratings

The department is responsible for assessing and rating the quality of Queensland early childhood education and care services against the National Quality Standard (NQS)​. The NQS is a key aspect of the National Quality Framework and sets a national benchmark for early childhood education and care services. The Australian Children's Education and Care Authority (ACECQA) is the National Authority overseeing the NQF, including the NQS, in Australia.

A revised NQS was introduced in February 2018.

Assessment and rating against the NQS quality areas

Services are assessed and rated by the department on their performance against the NQS. The NQS includes 7 quality areas and services are given a rating against each quality area and an overall rating.

The following links will take you to the ACECQA website for more information on each of the 7 quality areas:

1. Educational program and practice
2. Children's health and safety
3. Physical environment
4. Staffing arrangements
5. Relationships with children
6. Collaborative partnerships with families and communities
7. Governance and leadership

Overall rating

Services will receive a rating for each of the standards, 7 quality areas and 1 of the following overall ratings:

Significant Improvement Required

• Service does not meet 1 of the 7 quality areas or a section of the legislation and there is a significant risk to the safety, health and wellbeing of children.
• The department will take immediate action to address issues.

Working Towards National Quality Standard

• Service provides a safe education and care program.
• Service has one or more areas identified for improvement.

Meeting National Quality Standard

• Service meets the NQS.
• Service provides quality education and care in all 7 quality areas.

Exceeding National Quality Standard

Service goes beyond the requirements of the NQS in at least 4 of the 7 quality areas.

Excellent

• Service promotes exceptional education and care, demonstrates sector leadership and is committed to continually improving.
• Awarded by the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACEC​QA).
• Services rated Exceeding National Quality Standard in all quality areas may choose to apply for this rating.
  

Publication of ratings

Ratings of assessed services are published on the ACECQA and MyChild websites. Services must display their ratings.

The availability of this information will help parents to understand a service's quality and to find one that best meets their needs.

Services not yet rated

The department, as the Regulatory Authority, monitors all services to ensure they meet their legal requirements, regardless of whether they have been assessed and rated.

Until a service is assessed and rated, it is considered Provisional-Not Yet Assessed under the National Quality Framework (section 133(2) of the Education and Care Services National Law. This rating must be displayed at the service.

​Learn more about: ​Not yet assessed notice template (DOCX, 61KB).

More information 

Assessment and rating process  
Find out about the national quality assessment and rating process for early childhood education and care services.

Quality Improvement Plan
Learn about preparing and maintaining a Quality Improvement Plan

Preparing for assessment  
Read tips and information to help services prepare for the assessment process and ratings visit.

Templates, forms and resources
Access resources, fact sheets, brochures and posters to help families and services understanding the ratings process.

Stay up to date

Services regulated under the NQF can subscribe to the National Quality Framework e-bulletin – keep updated on the latest changes and updates to the National Quality Framework.