Powlett Reserve has been rated as Exceeding the National Quality Standards in all 7 Quality Areas under the National Quality Framework.
The National Quality Standard (NQS) sets a national benchmark for the quality of children’s education and care services across Australia. Services are then assessed against the NQS by the State or Territory regulatory authority and receive a rating for each of the seven quality areas of the NQS, as well as an overall rating.
An overall rating of Exceeding NQS is given to services that go above and beyond the requirements of the NQS in at least four of the seven quality areas. We achieved this in all 7 areas.
Director Rebecca Vouch of the East Melbourne Child Care Co-operative said “We acknowledge the importance of providing children with high quality education, where their opinions are heard and respected, family collaboration and partnerships are a critical part of the service. We support and develop our educators to explore contemporary practice and engage in deep critical reflection around their pedagogical practices. It is incredibly rewarding to achieve this rating, having the work Rose-marie (Centre manager) and the Educators do every day acknowledged so authentically in the final report.”
Summary from the Assessment and Rating report below.
“From the onset, the service was homely and welcoming, with educators from a range of cultures, ages and sexuality which contributed to the sense of inclusivity at the service. Educators’ photos were at each room door alongside a portrait of the educator that a child had drawn, immediately demonstrating that children’s views and opinions were vital to the operation of the service.
The service had implemented a strong and effective child-centred program, where the voice of every child was integral, enhancing each child’s learning through play and quality experiences. Children were provided leadership opportunities, engaged confidently in the delivery of the program, and made regular decisions about their daily routines. Educators had built strong and secure relationships with children, developing programs that always met the children’s needs and followed their interests and abilities.
The service’s environment, both indoors and outdoors was natural, inviting, and inclusive. The outdoor spaces had incorporated the native plants and was respectful to the community, wildlife, and the indigenous community.
Effective and respectful partnerships with families had been developed, and a sense of meaningful and ongoing collaboration between the service and the families was clear. Through effective leadership and staffing, the service had developed a culture of collaboration and mutual respect, where the educators’ practices were enhanced through opportunities to learn from and support one another to provide a rich and engaging program for children.”
The National Quality Framework (NQF) for Early Childhood Education and Care was agreed by all Australian governments to get better educational and development outcomes for children using education and care services.
Implementation of the NQF is guided by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA).
To find out more information about the NQF and service ratings, visit the ACECQA website or ACECQA’s family focused website, Starting Blocks.
