The National Quality Standard includes seven quality areas, in each quality area includes standards. These standards are high-level outcome statements. Under each standard are elements that describe the outcomes that contribute to the standard being achieved within the service. The following lists the documentation services that are required to have in order to support the achievement of each quality area from 1 to 7.
Documentation Services Require To Support Quality Area 1 - Quality Area 1 – Educational Program and Practice, informs educators to implement intentional and responsive practices balanced with child-directed learning. It also draws attention to the importance of engaging in critical reflection to drive program planning and the assessment and planning cycle.
Documentation Services Require To Support Quality Area 2 - Quality Area 2 – Children's Health and Safety requires all stakeholders to have responsibility for supporting the health, protection, safety and wellbeing of all children.
Documentation Services Require To Support Quality Area 3 - Quality Area 3 – Physical environment is to ensure it is safe and designed to provide a range of experiences to engage children in a variety of experiences to protect children's development and learning.
Documentation Services Require To Support Quality Area 4 - Quality Area 4 - Staffing Arrangements require services to have sufficient educators and staff members available at all times when children are present.
Documentation Services Require To Support Quality Area 5 - Quality Area 5 - Relationships With Children provides a sense of connection to support children and the development of their identity and social and emotional competence.
Documentation Services Require To Support Quality Area 6 - Quality Area 6 – Collaborative Partnerships With Families and Communities enables services to build respectful relationships. This provides children with the opportunity to develop a positive sense of self and experience respectful relationships.
Documentation Services Require To Support Quality Area 7 - Quality Area 7 - Governance and Leadership enables services to achieve the best outcomes for children and their families by creating a service with a skilled and engaged workforce, sound administrative and risk management systems, well-documented policies and procedures, and a safe and healthy learning environment for children.
Further Reading
How To Achieve Each Quality Area Within The NQS- the following is a list of all achievements under each 7 Quality Areas that can help services identify if they are achieving within each area. It also includes documentation evidence required to support each element. Please follow the links to read through each Quality Area.
The National Quality Standard and Elements - The following is a quick reference guide for educators that lists the standards and elements that apply to each quality area.
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