Building standards and physical environment for NQF services
All services under the
National Quality Framework are required to provide a safe environment for children and staff as specified in Quality Area 3—Physical Environment of the National Quality Standard (NQS) (contained within Schedule 1 of the National Regulations). This includes meeting:
- building standards
- physical environment requirements.
Building standards
Centre-based services
An application for service approval for a centre-based service must include the prescribed information referred to in section 44(1)(c) of the National Law and regulations 24 and 25 of the National Regulations. This will include copies of:
- plans prepared by a building practitioner of the proposed education and care services premises (regulation 25(1)(b))
- the planning permit for the proposed education and care service premises (regulation 25(1)(e))
- certificate of final inspection, building certificate, certificate of classification, building surveyor's statement, or statement made by a building practitioner that states that the education and care service premises complies with building requirements under a building law or planning and development law of the jurisdiction (regulation 25(1)(g)).
Applicants are strongly encouraged to engage early with their building practitioners about the requirements of the National Regulations in relation to a proposed development, building works or any building code issues.
Whether the approved provider has complied with any applicable planning or development requirements is a relevant consideration for the Regulatory Authority when assessing an application for service approval. Under regulation 25, physical building work, including alterations or repairs, to centre-based education and care services must comply with the relevant building standards.
It is the responsibility of the approved provider's certifier or relevant building practitioner to assess physical building work, including alterations or repairs, against the Building Code of Australia (the BCA), available through the
Australian Building Codes Board website.
Standards relevant to education and care services as outlined in the BCA include:
- kitchen facilities
- bath, shower-bath, showers
- laundry facilities
- bench-type baby bath
- number of toilets and hand basins
- window sill heights
- fencing and barriers.
The role of the Regulatory Authority is to consider, whether in light of the building works, the approved provider complies with the National Law and National Regulations (i.e. regulations 103–115).
Learn more about
setting up a new service.
Physical environment requirements
Approved providers must ensure that their service premises meet the physical environment requirements contained within regulations 81 and 103–117 of the National Regulations, which include those relating to:
The Regulatory Authority has developed an
animation (transcript) to help with what to consider when putting together a service approval application, particularly in relation to your building plans.
Outdoor space should also be fully considered when planning an education and care service. The Regulatory Authority has developed additional detailed
guidance to help services plan and understand requirements for both indoor and outdoor space.
The approved provider is also required to consider the National Quality Standard (NQS) contained in Schedule 1 to the National Regulations. The NQS has 7 quality areas and a number of elements including:
- education program and practice that promotes each child's agency and enables children to make choices and decisions that influence events and their world
- children's health and safety where each child's health is promoted and each child is protected
- physical environments that are safe and suitable including design and location of the premises is appropriate for the operation of the service.
Additional measures
During the assessment of an application for service approval, the Regulatory Authority may require that
reasonable additional measures be taken by the approved provider to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of children, for example:
- installation of 1.8 metre barriers where children have access to significant
fall risk areas (e.g. built areas above ground level such as decks, balconies and stairways)
- installation of a greater number of toilets than the number required under the BCA to ensure adequacy and that the toilets are not only developmentally and age appropriate, but that they can be safely used and conveniently accessed by children
- installation of additional safety barriers and bollards where outdoor play areas adjoin/abut carparks or where
additional vehicle access needs to be addressed.
The Regulatory Authority may also impose conditions on a service approval to help ensure the ongoing health, safety and wellbeing of children.
If the Regulatory Authority is satisfied that the service, if permitted to operate, would constitute an unacceptable risk to the safety, health or wellbeing of children, it must refuse to grant a service approval (section 49(1) (a) National Law).
Creating the optimum physical environment
The design and layout of an early childhood education and care environment can significantly impact the delivery and quality of your education and care program and practices.
When looking at developing your physical environment, consider how the changes will help your service meet all 7 quality areas of the National Quality Standard with particular reference to
Quality Area 3—Physical Environment.
Approved providers are encouraged to consult with local authorities and their building practitioner regarding compliance with the building standards and physical environment requirements.
Approval by the relevant local government authority of a proposed premises for an education and care service does not mean the premises will automatically be approved by the Regulatory Authority under the National Law and National Regulations.
Help and support
For questions about meeting requirements, please
contact your regional office.
More information
- Templates, forms and resources—Access resources, forms and fact sheets related to obtaining approvals, building standards, and other operational requirements.
Building standards and physical environment for ECS Act services
All Queensland education and care (QEC) services under the
Education and Care Services Act 2013 (ECS Act) need to provide a safe environment for children and staff. This includes meeting standards for buildings and requirements for physical environments, such as outdoor play space.
Services must also ensure that
premises, furniture and equipment are safe, clean, in good repair, and developmentally-appropriate for the children.
Related information
Queensland Education and Care Services Regulation
Regulation 27: Premises, furniture and equipment to be safe, clean and in good repair
ECS Act resources—Access resources, forms and fact sheets related to operating a service under the ECS Act.
Building standards
Queensland education and care services approved
after 1 January 2014 or services moving to new premises must comply with the Building Code of Australia (BCA).
Similar to services under the NQF, QEC service premises need to meet physical environment requirements (see regulations 27 to 38 of the Queensland
Education and Care Services Regulation 2013 (PDF, 285KB).
Waivers
Approved providers may, in extenuating circumstances, apply for a waiver from a requirement that a service comply with the prescribed requirements under the NQS and National Regulations or ECS Regulation (as relevant) on a permanent (s.87 National Law and s.92 ECS Act) or temporary basis (s.94 National Law and s.99 ECS Act). A service should take all reasonable steps to avoid the need to apply.
Learn more about
waivers for physical environment.
Help and support
For questions about meeting requirements, please
contact your regional office.