It's report time for the NQF

ACECQA has released its first Annual Performance Report detailing progress of the National Quality Framework (NQF) across the early childhood education and care sector over the past five years.

ACECQA is required to supply an annual report to COAG on how well the NQF is meeting stated goals and objectives.

ACECQA chair Judy Hebblethwaite says the NQF has set a national benchmark for the quality of education and care services and streamlined national licensing schemes.

"This report suggests that the NQF is realising a number of its intended benefits, including continuous quality improvement in service provision and efficiencies in regulation," she said.

According to ACECQA the report found that:

• NQF support – overall support for the NQF among providers of education and care services has remained consistently above 95 per cent.
• Quality improvement – the proportion of services meeting or exceeding the National Quality Standard has increased over time. Furthermore, around 60 per cent of services improve their overall quality rating at reassessment.
• Skilled workforce – 85 per cent of paid contact staff in long day care, family day care, outside school hours care and vacation care services had an education and care related qualification in 2016, up from 80 per cent in 2013 and 69 per cent in 2010.
• Family awareness – the National Quality Standard and quality rating system is not yet well understood by families. Increasing the level of awareness is an ongoing focus for ACECQA.

Click here to read the report and ACECQA will produce a second report in 2018 focussing on changes since July 2017.