Publishing regulatory data provides transparency around the Regulatory Authority’s work and encourages voluntary compliance and improved service quality by the
regulated early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector.
Unless stated otherwise, the figures provided on these pages relate to Queensland ECEC services regulated under the National Quality Framework (NQF) and the
Education and Care Services Act 2013 (ECS Act).
Annual data reports
The Queensland Early Childhood Regulatory Authority financial year (FY) in review summarises how the Regulatory Authority and the ECEC sector have performed over the previous financial year.
The following reports include data on applications; monitoring visits; notifications of incident and complaint; compliance and enforcement; and explain some of the themes that emerged over the year:
Quarter 3 (January to March), 2023–24 financial year
The ECEC sector in Queensland is changing all the time. The figures below provide a snapshot of the number of approved ECEC services and the total approved number of places that these services may provide. Data is current as at 31 March 2024; figures for previous quarters may be updated to reflect the latest available data.
As at
31 March 2024, Queensland has 3,310 approved ECEC services. Centre-based services approved under the NQF, along with ECS Act services, deliver early childhood education and care for up to 252,885 children at any one time.
The number of ECEC services in Queensland has increased by
2.1% since 31 March 2023.
3,310 approved ECEC services in Queensland.
3,262 services approved under the NQF.
48 approved ECS Act services in Queensland.
69 additional services since 31 March 2023.
252,885 approved centre-based places for children—an increase of
4.3% since 31 March 2023.
Approved NQF services by type
The table below shows the number of approved NQF services in Queensland as at 31 March 2024 (Q3, 2023–24 FY). Figures are provided for earlier quarters for comparison.
| Long day care | 1,860 | 1,841 | 1,788 | +4.0% |
| Outside school hours care | 801 | 795 | 790 | +1.4% |
| Kindergarten | 496 | 495 | 504 | -1.6% |
| Family day care | 105 | 105 | 108 | -2.8% |
| Total |
3,262 |
3,236 |
3,190 |
+2.3% |
Service monitoring
Regulatory officers regularly conduct visits to assess ECEC services’ quality and compliance with legislative requirements. Visits can be announced or unannounced.
Where non-compliance is identified, the Regulatory Authority will take enforcement action when needed to ensure the issues identified are effectively addressed.
880 monitoring visits conducted this quarter.
The table below shows the number of monitoring visits conducted by the Regulatory Authority in Q3, 2023–2024 FY. Figures are provided for earlier quarters for comparison.
Application assessment
The Regulatory Authority assesses applications from individuals and organisations who wish to provide ECEC in Queensland. Robust approval processes ensure providers are capable of educating and caring for children aged from birth to 8.
523 applications received by the Regulatory Authority this quarter—a 13% decrease on the same quarter last year.
The table below shows the number of applications received by the Regulatory Authority in Q3, 2023–24 FY. Figures are provided for earlier quarters for comparison.
| Applications processed* | 523 | 517 | 601 | -13.0% |
*Notifications of transfer of service approval are counted as an application type for reporting purposes.
Applications processed by type
The table below shows the number of applications received by the Regulatory Authority in Q3, 2023–24 FY by application type. Figures are provided for earlier quarters for comparison.
| Amend provider approval | 23 | 9 | 21 | +9.5% |
| Amend service approval | 90 | 125 | 82 | +9.8% |
| Extension—temporary waiver | 23 | 53 | 37 | -37.8% |
| Internal review of reviewable decision | 8 | 2 | 3 | +166.7% |
| Provider approval | 59 | 45 | 58 | +1.7% |
| Reassessment and re-rating | 5 | 6 | 2 | +150.0% |
| Review of ratings by regulatory authority | 5 | 7 | 7 | -28.6% |
Service approval
| 37 | 33 | 41 | -9.8% |
| Service or temporary waiver | 223 | 187 | 294 | -24.2% |
| Suspension provider approval | 0 | 0 | 1 | -100.0% |
| Suspension service approval | 28 | 10 | 21 | +33.3% |
Transfer of service approval*
| 22 | 40 | 34 | -35.3% |
*Notifications of transfer of service approval are counted as an application type for reporting purposes.