Regulatory Bodies and National Legislation 

Aranda Afters’ Programs are developed in conjunction with, and are guided by the following regulatory bodies, government legislation and policy frameworks.

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Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA)

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The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) is an independent national authority, based in Sydney. It is led by a CEO and guided by a 12 member governing Board whose members are nominated by each state and territory and the Commonwealth. Board members serve three year terms.

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One of ACECQA’s primary roles is to educate and inform the wider community about the importance of improving outcomes in children’s education and care. It also provides governments, the education and care sector and families with access to the most current research to ensure NQF policy and service delivery is in line with best practice across the country.

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ACECQA guides the implementation of the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education and Care nationally and ensures consistency in delivery. For more information about ACECQA please go to:

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 https://www.acecqa.gov.au/

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 National Quality Framework (NQF)

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The National Quality Framework (NQF) is the result of an agreement between all Australian governments to work together to provide better educational and developmental outcomes for children using education and care services.  

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The NQF introduces a new quality standard to improve education and care across long day care, family day care, preschool/kindergarten, and outside school hours care. 

Quality education and care shapes every child’s future and lays the foundation for development and learning.  The early years are critical for establishing self-esteem, resilience, healthy growth and capacity to learn.

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Research shows quality education and care early in life leads to better health, education and employment outcomes later in life.

Children need quality care and attention that meets their individual needs. The two main influences on the quality of care are:

• Caregiver qualifications; and

• Lower staff to child ratios.

These factors are particularly beneficial for very young children and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. For more information on the NQF please go to:

http://acecqa.gov.au/national-quality-framework/explaining-the-national-quality-framework

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National Quality Standard (NQS)

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The National Quality Standard (NQS) is a key aspect of the NQF and sets a national benchmark for early childhood education and care, and outside school hours care services in Australia.

As the NQF progresses, every service in the country will be assessed to make sure it meets the new quality standard. In the meantime, as safety is paramount all day and every day, every service must comply with rigorous health and safety requirements.

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To ensure children enjoy the best possible conditions in their early educational and developmental years, the NQS promotes continuous improvement in quality.

The major benefits for parents and children include:

• Improved educator to child ratios;

• Greater individual care and attention for children;

• Educators with increased skills and qualifications;

• Better support for children’s learning and development; and

• A national register to help parents assess the quality of education and care services in their area.

For more information about the NQS please go to:

http://acecqa.gov.au/national-quality-framework/the-national-quality-standard#sthash.u2NdF3xo.dpuf

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 My Time Our Place (MTOP)

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The My Time Our Place (MTOP) Framework for school age care in Australia supports the ongoing development of children in school age care services.  It ensures that they have opportunities to participate in leisure and play-based activities that are responsive to their needs, interests, and choices.

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MTOP is part of the Australian Government’s National Quality Framework and has been incorporated into the National Quality Standard to support consistent and quality school age care across sectors and jurisdictions, and builds on the Early Years Learning Framework.

For more information about MTOP please go to:

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http://education.gov.au/my-time-our-place-framework-school-age-care-australia 

ACT Legislation and Regulations

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ACT Law and Regulations to be available at an education and care service premises at all times

 The Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011 Regulation 185 of the Education and Care Services National Regulations states:

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"The approved provider of an education and care service must ensure that a copy of the Law and these Regulations is accessible at the education and care service premises at all times for use by the nominated supervisor, staff members, volunteers, parents of children enrolled at the service and any person seeking to make use of the service."

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The National Quality Standard

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Standard 4.2: Aims to ensure that professional standards guide practice, interactions and relationships (Element 4.2.1). Authorised officers may discuss how educator and staff members access copies of the National Law and National Regulations.

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Standard 7.1:  Aims to ensure that the induction of educators, co-ordinators and staff members is comprehensive (Element 7.1.2).  Authorised officers may discuss educator’s understanding of the National Law and National Regulations.

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Providing Electronic Access

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If an approved provider decides to make the National Law and National Regulations available electronically, they need to be clear how they will ensure these are accessible to educators, staff members, volunteers, parents and other people at the service and that educators have an understanding of the relevance of these documents.

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​This link is to the Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010 which was enacted in Victoria and then adopted by the other states and territories.

​Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010

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​This link is to the ACT legislation adopting the Victorian law.​

Education and Care Services National Law (ACT) Act 2011

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​This is a link to the Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011 published by NSW.

The regulations are the same in all states and territories. This will also include any amendments since publication.

https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/sl-2011-0653

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Children’s Education and Care Assurance (CECA)

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Children’s Education and Care Assurance (CECA) is a section of the Education and Training Directorate and administers the legislation covering approved education and care services and licensed childcare services in the ACT.

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The role of the CECA includes:

• Providing information about education and care in the ACT to families, services and the community;

• Issuing approvals for providers, services, waivers, certified supervisors and licenses;

• Monitoring compliance with the Children and Young People Act 2008 and the Education and Care Services National Law (ACT) Act 2011 through announced and unannounced visits, data collection and review, targeted monitoring campaigns, and email and phone contact with services;

• Quality assessment and rating of education and care services in accordance with the National Quality Framework; and

• Investigating complaints relating to compliance with the relevant education and care law.

CECA is staffed by professionals with experience and qualifications in children’s education and care.

For more information about CECA please go to:

https://www.education.act.gov.au/early-childhood/the-acts-early-childhood-education-and-care-sector