"Research shows that a child’s experience in their first five years sets the course for the rest of their life.
In recognition of this, the Australian Government, in partnership with all state and territory governments, is making important changes to early childhood education and care in Australia. This will ensure that Australian children get the best possible start.The framework will be implemented progressively from 1 July 2010 with full implementation by January 2012.
The National Quality Framework will put in place a new National Quality Standard to ensure high quality and consistent early childhood education and care across Australia.
These changes will help providers to improve their services in the areas that impact on a child’s development and empower families to make informed choices about which service is best for their child.
Changes will be made in key areas
The National Quality Framework will set a new National Quality Standard for early childhood education and care providers in Australia.The National Quality Standard will improve quality through:
- improved staff to child ratios to ensure each child gets more individual care and attention
- new staff qualification requirements to ensure staff have the skills to help children learn and develop
- a new quality rating system to ensure Australian families have access to transparent information relating to the quality of early childhood education and care services
- the establishment of a new National Body to ensure early childhood education and care is of a high quality.
Further information:
http://www.deewr.gov.au/Earlychildhood/Policy_Agenda/Quality/Pages/home.aspx
