Self-assessment and reflection
Services should always be ready for an assessment and rating and ensure their Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) is up to date and accessible.
Undertaking your own assessment of your service against the National Quality Standard (NQS) and linked regulations is an important step when developing a QIP. You can do this by:
You may find ACECQA's
self-assessment tool and templates useful.
Improvement planning
Use the self-assessment process to identify your service’s strengths and opportunities for implementing quality improvements, and incorporate your findings in your
QIP. This will empower you to play an active part in the assessment and rating process.
Preferably, make your QIP available to the Regulatory Authority in the
National Quality Agenda Information Technology System, for the Regulatory Authority to use when assessing and rating your service.
Visit the
Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA)'s website and the
guide to the NQF for guidance on QIP requirements.
The visit
Before the visit:
- familiarise yourself and your educators with the
guide to the National Quality Framework for examples of what the authorised officer might seek to observe, discuss and sight at your service
- read
supporting materials on the NQF, including information about the assessment and rating process, the rating system, and reviewing your QIP
- inform parents and educators of the assessment and rating process and the expected date for the visit.
On the day of the visit:
- ensure documentation about the NQS and regulatory requirements is readily available in order to minimise disruption during the visit
- introduce the authorised officer to the children, educators and families and allow the authorised officer to explain why they are there
- collaborate with the authorised officer on the best time for discussions, to minimise any disruption to the learning program.
Work with your authorised officer during the visit by asking questions, providing additional information, and showcasing the features of your service. Your service's usual, everyday practice is what is being assessed and is often all that is required to demonstrate that your service is meeting many of the quality areas of the NQS.
The authorised officer will give you feedback at the end of the visit; however, they will not be able to inform you of the rating.
Important information about documented arrangements for preschool programs
Under National Regulation 62(2), services educating children in the year before school can only receive the Exceeding rating for Quality Area 1 (Educational program and practice) if they facilitate access to a preschool program (in Queensland, this means kindergarten). They may either provide it directly, or have a documented arrangement with another approved provider of a service that does.
If your service has a documented arrangement, the Regulatory Authority expects it to include at least:
- the name of the approved provider and service the documented arrangement relates to
- the name of the approved provider and service (if relevant) that is providing the preschool program
- the date the provision of the preschool program began (or is expected to begin) at the service
- the name(s) and evidence of the qualifications of the early childhood teacher(s) providing the preschool program at the service
- the dates and times the children are receiving the preschool program, as part of the arrangement
- signatures and dates by both approved providers involved in the arrangement
- information provided to parents communicating the arrangement.
Read more about the types of services that provide kindergarten (pre-school) programs in Queensland on the
types of kindergartens page.
Help and support
If you have further questions about preparing for a quality assessment, please
contact your regional office.