What is the National Quality Framework (NQF)
The National Quality Framework (NQF) provides a national approach to regulation, assessment and quality improvement for early childhood education and care and outside school hours care services across Australia. In 2019, we were rated Excellent the highest rating under NQF. In 2021, we were assessed and rated as exceeding under all 7 quality areas and 40 elements, resulting in us maintaining our Excellent rating at the end of 2021.
The NQF introduced a new quality standard in 2012 to improve education and care across long daycare, family daycare, preschool/kindergarten, and outside school hours care services.
The NQF includes:
What are the benefits of the National Quality Framework for Children and Families?
Research shows quality education and care early in life leads to better health, education and employment outcomes later in life. The early years are critical for establishing self-esteem, resilience, healthy growth and capacity to learn. Quality education and care shapes every child’s future and lays the foundation for development and learning.
The major benefits for parents and children include:
- Improved educator to child ratios, ensuring children have greater individual care and attention for children
- Educators with increased skills and qualifications
- Better support for children’s learning and development through approved learning frameworks
- Consistent, transparent information on educators, providers and services in the national registers.
Starting Blocks provides parents with information about early childhood education and care to help them make the best choice for their child and family.
What is My Time Our Place (MTOP) Approved Learning Framework?
The My Time, Our Place – Framework for School Age Care in Australia is about making care services for school-aged children better.
The framework helps care services develop opportunities for school-aged children to participate in leisure and play-based activities that respond to their needs, interests, and choices.
My Time, Our Place is part of the Australian Government’s National Quality Framework which is about ensuring children receive a high standard of education and care.
Families looking for more information on the Framework can use the Families’ Guide to the Framework for School Age Care.
Source: Acecqa 2019
Before and After School Care is available to children from 7.30-9.00am and 3-6pm on school days.
To enrol please download a current Parent Information Sheet and Enrolment Form – see Enrolment Forms. Please remember if your contact details change during the year then you should let us know as soon as possible.
For more information see the FOOSHC desk or contact Forrest Children’s Services on 02 6295 8985 or email info@fooshc.org.au
