Regulatory service visits have recommenced
Visits may cease during the duration of any lockdown zones and areas affected by COVID-19 restrictions, however in person visits will continue where necessary to address risk to children (for example in the case of an ongoing investigation or in response to a complaint or notification). Telemonitoring will be used where appropriate in place of face-to-face monitoring visits.
The department (as the Queensland Early Childhood Regulatory Authority) has recommenced in-person monitoring, assessment and rating visits to education and care (ECEC) services from Monday 22 June 2020. In case of changing circumstances with the coronavirus and public health directions, this may change.
Queensland Health advice indicates such visits can occur unless the service has reported a specific COVID-19 risk.
The safety, health and wellbeing of children and staff is the Regulatory Authority’s primary concern.
Authorised officers will conduct visits according to Queensland Health protocols, and follow Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) and Safe Work Australia guidance on hygiene and physical distancing of adults.
Authorised officers will advise of the steps they will take to meet these protocols and will ask about any specific procedures that apply in the service. In the case of a monitoring visit, this will occur before the visit. When it is necessary for the visit to be unannounced, this will occur with the responsible person at the service.
During the monitoring or assessment and rating process, authorised officers will take into consideration that services may look different after implementing hygiene and social distancing practices.
The Regulatory Authority will continue to take proportionate compliance action to manage risk to children and address breaches of the National Law and National Regulations.
If you have any concerns about a visit or need to notify the Regulatory Authority of any changes in circumstance that could affect the visit, please contact your authorised officer as soon as possible.