As many services wait to be assessed under the NQF we thought it might be informative and reassuring to hear from a service which has already been assessed.

Dewdrops Early Learning (Brunswick West VIC) has just been assessed as Meeting National Quality Standards and Director of the service Alisha Dudderidge spoke to CareforKids.com.au exclusively about her experience.

My name is Alisha. I have been employed as a Director with Dewdrops Early Learning for around four years now and have four years previous experience as room leader with various age groups. I hold a Bachelor of Teaching in Early Childhood as well as a Diploma in Community Services.

I work at Dewdrops Early Learning – Brunswick West. We have a maximum capacity of 45 children and we have 13 full time staff.

How much notice were you given before the assessment?
We received our initial letter in early September 2012 and we were assessed in late November…

ACECQA has published a number of resources to help services through the assessment and rating process. These include:

National Quality Standard Assessment and Rating Instrument - is used by authorised officers when they visit a service and helps them assess and rate the service against the National Quality Standard.

The instrument outlines the processes involved during an assessment and what authorised officers will be looking for during a visit and is a useful resource for services preparing to be assessed…

St Patrick's Day is celebrated on 17 March and commemorates the anniversary of St Patrick's one of Ireland's most well known patron saints. According to legend, St. Patrick used the 3-leaved shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to the Irish people, which is why green has become such a strong symbol of St Patrick's Day.

This week we have some Irish themed craft ideas you might like to try and in honour of the festivities we leave you with this Irish blessing: May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow and may trouble avoid you wherever you go.

Blarney Stone Green coloured pet rocks which may bring you the gift of the gab if you kiss them.

Stand-up Shamrocks Toilet rolls are once again transformed into lovely little works of art.

Leprechaun Footprints An all ages activity which uses lots of green crayons and paint…

Did you know you can publicise your service's National Quality Standard rating before ACECQA starts publishing all available ratings in April/May this year.

This is a great opportunity to promote your service's achievements and Quality Improvement Plan.