If your childcare centre has not yet been assessed for a rating under the National Quality Framework or you have an assessment coming up, being prepared is vital.
Your NQS Rating can play a notable role in your centre’s overall success, including attracting families to increase your enrolments, and ensures that you are delivering the very best early childhood education to the children in your care.
With the right strategies in place, your NQS assessment does not need to be too stressful. At Practical Outcomes we work with a variety of centres and have compiled a number of effective tips and strategies that can help planning for your NQS assessment.
Planning for your NQS assessment
1. Understand the latest information about the NQF and NQS
While being assessed can feel like a stressful time, being prepared can really help. Thankfully, the National Quality Framework gives you the information you need to shine. The key is to have an in-depth understanding of it, including the latest changes. Take an analytical approach to the NQF and work with your team as you reflect on your practices and how they apply to each area.
This is a useful document that highlights the changes made by the revised NQS that were in place from February 2018. If you have a thorough understanding of what is expected of your centre, you allow yourself the best chance to succeed.
2. Use the self-assessment tool
When you’re trying to determine which areas of the National Quality Framework (NQF) you need to focus on, self-assessment is a must. ACECQA has a self-assessment tool that is suitable across all service types and will inform your Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) as part of the assessment process.
3. Stay on top of high-quality practices
Maintaining high quality practices at all times means won’t just benefit your NQS Rating but also the standard of care delivered. Don’t just scramble last minute putting systems and procedures in place to improve your NQS Rating — develop your systems and procedures, then stick to them and reap the rewards year-round!
4. Make regular time for critical reflection
The NQF is there to help you reach your full potential as a childcare provider. Make the most of it by regularly reflecting on the areas and how you address them as a centre. This can be incorporated into staff meetings and planning time to centre your discussion around.
5. Create meaningful connections and conversations
Part of being a high-quality childcare service is by responding to and delivering on the needs of the families, children and community around you. Create avenues for communication, suggestions and feedback at all times and work together with everyone in your centre’s community to be the best you can be.
Achieving success at your NQS assessment comes down to knowledge, planning, reflection and communication. With these in place, you will be well on your way to an exceeding rating!
Practical Outcomes trainers keep abreast of NQS requirements to ensure our learners have the latest knowledge.
For more information about training with Practical Outcomes, enquire today!
