Assessing the quality of Australian child care and kindergartens

Research Bulletin Issue 2 | Jan 2012 Australian families, communities and government are increasingly aware of the capacity of child care and kindergarten services to support the learning and development of our young children. The evidence is clear that these early experiences are an important influence on a child’s personal and social development in both the short-term and across the lifespan. The importance of quality within early years’ settings has been officially recognised in the development of a National Quality Framework. This Framework aims to raise quality and encourage continuous improvement and consistency in Australian education and care services. The Framework includes legislation (the Education and Care Services Law Act); a Quality Standard, and a rating and assessment process. The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority oversees the implementation of the National framework from 1 January 2012 (acecqa.gov.au). Requirements such as qualification, educator-to-child ratios and other key staffing arrangements will be phased in between 2012 and 2020.