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 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 2 (October–December), 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 December 2023; figures for previous quarters may be updated to reflect the latest available data.
As at
31 December 2023, Queensland has 3,286 approved ECEC services. Centre-based services approved under the NQF, along with ECS Act services, deliver early childhood education and care for up to 250,284 children at any one time.
The number of ECEC services in Queensland has increased by
2.3% since 31 December 2022.
3,286 approved ECEC services in Queensland.
3,236 services approved under the NQF.
50 approved ECS Act services in Queensland.
73 additional services since 31 December 2022.
250,284 approved centre-based places for children—an increase of
5.1% since 31 December 2022.
Approved NQF services by type
The table below shows the number of approved NQF services in Queensland as at 31 December 2023 (Q2, 2023–2024 FY). Figures are provided for earlier quarters for comparison.
| Long day care | 1,841 | 1,831 | 1,762 | +4.5% |
| Outside school hours care | 795 | 794 | 780 | +1.9% |
| Kindergarten | 495 | 499 | 508 | -2.6% |
| Family day care | 105 | 106 | 107 | -1.9% |
| Total |
3,236 |
3,230 |
3,157 |
+2.5% |
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.
814 monitoring visits conducted this quarter.
The table below shows the number of monitoring visits conducted by the Regulatory Authority in Q2, 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.
517 applications received by the Regulatory Authority this quarter—a 8.7% decrease on the same quarter last year.
The table below shows the number of applications received by the Regulatory Authority in Q2, 2023–24 FY. Figures are provided for earlier quarters for comparison.
| Applications processed* | 517 | 567 | 566 | -8.7% |
*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 Q2, 2023–24 FY by application type. Figures are provided for earlier quarters for comparison.
| Provider approval | 45 | 32 | 45 | No change |
| Service approval | 33 | 32 | 54 | -38.9% |
| Amendment of service approval | 125 | 122 | 99 | +26.3% |
| Amendment of provider approval | 8 | 21 | 16 | -50.0% |
| Service or temporary waiver | 188 | 239 | 231 | -18.6% |
| Extension of temporary waiver | 53 | 45 | 73 | -27.4% |
| Suspension of service approval | 10 | 12 | 15 | -33.3% |
| Transfer of service approval* | 40 | 49 | 29 | +37.9% |
Other**
| 15 | 15 | 4 | +275.0% |
*Notifications of transfer of service approval are counted as an application type for reporting purposes.
**'Other' includes applications for internal review of reviewable decisions, applications for reassessment and re-rating, and applications for review of ratings (i.e. First Tier Review).