The National Quality Framework (NQF) is part of the Australian Government's agenda for early childhood education and child care focused on providing Australian families with high-quality, accessible and affordable integrated early childhood education and child care. The NQF aims to raise quality and drive continuous improvement and consistency in education and care services through:
- a national legislative framework
- a National Quality Standard
- approved learning frameworks
- a national quality rating and assessment process
- minimum qualifications of staff and educator to child ratios
- a new national body called the Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority.
The National Quality Framework took effect on 1 January 2012 with key requirements being phased in over time. Requirements such as qualification, educator-to-child ratios and other key staffing arrangements were phased in between 2012 and 2020.[1] The Early Years Learning Framework version 2 (an approved learning framework) was endorsed and authorised by the Australian Education Ministers in January 2023.[2]
See also
edit- Early Childhood Australia, the peak early childhood advocacy organisation in Australia
- Early Years Learning Framework
- Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework
References
edit- ^ "National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education & Care". Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
- ^ "Approved learning frameworks". ACECQA. 22 November 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
External links
edit- Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
- Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Agenda
- Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority
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