Assessment Number

Assessment Method

Assessment

Description

1

Research Task

(Theory)

You must provide a written response to 12 questions which address the knowledge requirement of the unit. The Student must answer all questions correctly.

2

Case study

Letter and meeting minutes

In class/ simulated work environment

(Theory)

You will need to respond to a scenario that informs the service that they are required to participate in a site visit undertaken by the ACECQA to assess their compliance with the National Quality Standards

3

Simulated environment/in class task

(Theory)

Evaluation of existing policy. You are required to identify a policy area within the service that appears not to adequately support compliance with the National Quality Standards. This will need to be signed by workplace supervisor during your work placement.

4

Research Plan

(in class/ simulated environment assessment)

You will prepare a research/consultation plan for the development and improvement of a policy in task 3

5

Document Organisation Checklist

(in class simulated environment (Work) Placement)

You are required to conduct a document organization checklist of your work placement service and identify the relevant National Quality Standard (NQS) and National Regulation for each document viewed,

6 and 7

Self-assessment and QIP development

(in class simulated environment (Work) Placement)

You are required to utilise the information gathered during the self-assessment in assessment 5, to develop a Quality Improvement Plan using the national ACECQA Quality Improvement Plan tool from their website. The self-assessment must address the Quality Area from the National Quality Standard reviewed during Assessment 6. Development of the Quality Improvement Plan must include consulting with at least one other educator or service coordinator to review the plan.

National quality framework was established in 2012. NQF provides a national approach to regulation, assessment and quality improvement for early childhood education and care and outside school hours care services across Australia.

Quality Improvement plan is document identifies the service’s goals for quality improvement and notes some strategies for achieving those goals . it helps everyone at services to stay focused on implementing the strategies needed to achieve the goals.

By conducting staff meetings, by observing their practices, powerpoint presentation, following the correct procedures asking questionnaire in the spot and so on can confirm that staff have an understanding of the NQF and other relevant legislation.

The seven quality areas of NQS that early childhood services are assessed are:

Quality area 1; educational program and practice

Quality area2; children’s health and safety

Quality area3; physical environment

Quality area 4; staffing arrangements

Quality area 5; relationships with children

Quality area 6; collaborative partnerships with families and communities

Quality area 7; leadership and service management

The five different levels of ratings are;

Excellent

Exceeding National Quality standard

Meeting National Quality standard

Working towards National Quality Standard

Significant improvement required

The role of ACECQA is to educate and inform the wider community about the importance of improving outcomes in children’s education and care. It supports the administration of the NQF to ensure consistent implementation across all states and territories. The role of ACECQA are;

Establishing consistent and efficient procedures for the operation of the NQF

Conducting national consistency audits

Determining approved qualifications for educators

Determining qualifications for authorised officers.

Fostering continuous quality improvement.

It is important to share information about quality improvement plan and assessment and rating with staff for following reasons;

Because it includes an assessment of the programs and practices at the service against the National Quality Standard and National Regulation include a statement about the service’s philosophy, also have idea to identify areas for improvement

The regulatory authority for my state is;

Early childhood Education Directorate, NSW department of education

Address; Locked bag 5107 paramatta NSW 2124

Website; education.nsw.gov

Email; ececd@det,nsw.edu

Phone; 1800 619 113

Fax;(02) 8633 1810

The purpose of having policies in Early Childhood Education and Care Services is following the practices, procedure and rules of the centre by everyone. Also to ensure consistency of care and practices with children’s services.to guide the action of everyone involved in the centre and provide the accountability to protect families, children, staff and management.

The four potential stakeholders we can consult with are:

Staff

Family

Community

directors

The four method of facilitating discussion with stake holder

email

newsletter

face to face meetings

phone conversation

The elements that should includes in the policies are as follows

policy title

a clear policy statement or statement of intent

a rationale for the policy, this section might outline same of the resources information or community changes that guided the development of the policy

goals or aim of the policy

how, when and by whom the policy reviewed.

STUDENT NAME AND ID

DATE

NAME OF POLICY REVIEWED BY STUDENT

NOTE: AFTER TRAINER MARKS THIS TASK, STUDENT NEEDS FEEDBACK FROM 3 STAKEHOLDERS IN THEIR WORKPLACEMENT

Policy name and other details

Does the existing policy states:

Clear name

Number of times the policy has been revised, or original if new policy

Version number

Ratification date and name of person approving policy

Date of next review

Service’s logo

Record your comments and reason for improvement here:

Policy statement

Does the policy provide:

Clear and concise statement of policy’s intention (e.g. a confidentiality policy might be: “to ensure all stakeholders are aware of their responsibilities with regard to maintaining privacy. Confidentiality, and disclosure)

Record your comments and reason for improvement here:

Rationale

Does the existing policy states:

clear purpose and reason why the policy has been created

references to legal, ethical and regulatory requirements

Record your comments and reason for improvement here:

Scope

Does the exiting policy detailed:

to whom the policy applies

what the policy applies

situation that the policy relates

Record your comments and reason for improvement here:

Definition

Does the existing policy include:

glossary of terms

explain any technical or specific terminology to clarify meaning

Record your comments and reason for improvement here:

Procedures

Does the existing policy identify:

Strategies

Details on how the policy’s objective’s will be achieved

Record your comments and reason for improvement here:

Responsibilities

Does the existing policy identify:

Roles identified

Who implements the procedures

Record your comments and reason for improvement here:

Evaluation

Does the existing policy state:

How, when, why and by whom the policy will be reviewed

Version control

Record your comments and reason for improvement here:

References

Does the existing policy provide:

A bibliography of the key documents used as a research, such as books, journals, website

Links to NQF, NQS, EYLF

Any other relevant service policies that contribute to this policy

Record your comments and reason for improvement here:

List of attachments

Does the existing policy includes:

Applicable attachments such as forms or checklists

Record your comments and reason for improvement here:

Clarity and quality

Does the existing policy ensure:

Plain English

Correct grammar and spelling

Active rather than passive verbs

Uniform font size and style

Acceptable terminology

Acronyms like ACECQA are explained after is written

Language and images promote inclusivity and respect for diversity

Record your comments and reason for improvement here:

FEEDBACK STAKEHOLDER 1

Supervisor signature:

FEEDBACK STAKEHOLDER 2

Supervisor signature:

FEEDBACK STAKEHOLDER 3

Supervisor signature:

Statement of the purpose of the consultation plan

Record here, the reasons why you need to improve the policy. What weaknesses have you identified in the evaluation of existing policies activity

Identification of the relevant stakeholders

Record here people to involve in the consultation and improvement of the policy

Person implementing the plan and the review process

Student improving the policy and implementing consultation plan

Consultation methods to be used

Record here which method (survey, meeting, emails, focus groups, interviews, advisory groups) you will implement to consult the stakeholders after the policy has been improved

Required resources, included budget needed in the plan

Work hours, number of people, materials and resources to be added such as flyers, factsheets, newsletters

Start and end date

Include the length of the entire process/ timeline

Date Draft policy distributed to relevant stakeholders_______________________

Date Feedback collected from stakeholders______________________

Date feedback was analyzed____________________________

Analysis of feedback

Record here meaningful information collected from stakeholder’s feedback, to improve the draft policy (after NEI trainer and assessor feedback)

Amendments made to draft policy after analysis of feedback

Record here what were the actual changed made to the draft policy, include the update to the version control

Date second draft policy is printed and distributed for final round of comments

Record here the date the second draft will be printed and distributed

Further amendments if necessary

After the second draft is collected, feedback is given by stakeholders. Record here if any other changes need to be made to the second draft

Date policy is approved by senior manager

Date finalized policy is distributed to stakeholder’s

All documents affected by policy changes (e.g. parent handbooks and marketing materials) updated

Record here all the relevant documents affected by the policy improvement

MANAGEMENT AND COMPLIANCE



TAB TITLE

CONTENT

Relevant NQS

Relevant Regulation

INSURANCE

Public liability

Note: Other insurance documents (Building, Contents, Business, Workers’ Compensation etc.), are best stored together in a locked cupboard or filing cabinet.

However Public liability is a compulsory insurance and best stored in a folder that can be easily and quickly accessed, such as the Management and Compliance folder.

According to the NQS, compliance documents required include:

A record of the service’s compliance history

Service rating, including the:

Current ratings for each quality area under the National Quality Framework

Overall rating of the service

Service or temporary waivers, including:

National Quality Standard and/or National Regulations that have been waived

The duration of the waiver

Whether the waiver is a service or a temporary waiver

COMPLIANCE HISTORY

SERVICE RATING

WAIVERS



TAB TITLE

CONTENT

Relevant NQS

Relevant Regulation

CHANGES

Records of changes notified to the Regulatory Authority

INCIDENT, INJURY, TRAUMA AND ILLNESS



TAB TITLE

CONTENT

Relevant NQS

Relevant Regulation

BLANK FORMS

COMPLETED FORMS PROCEDURES

While many services fill in these forms on a computer, for ease and speed of access, some incident, injury, trauma and illness forms should be available in the folder.

The folder will need two divider tabs for the forms:

Blank incident, injury, trauma and illness forms

Completed incident, injury, trauma and illness forms

Following documents in this folder:

Written process for observing, responding to, and recording signs of illness and injury in children

Written process for notifying families of illness or injuries that affect children while at the service

MEDICATION RECORDS



TAB TITLE

CONTENT

Relevant NQS

Relevant Regulation

Completed children’s administration of medication records

INCIDENT, INJURY, TRAUMA AND ILLNESS



TAB TITLE

CONTENT

Relevant NQS

Relevant Regulation

BLANK FORMS

COMPLETED FORMS PROCEDURES

While many services fill in these forms on a computer, for ease and speed of access, some incident, injury, trauma and illness forms should be available in the folder.

The folder will need two divider tabs for the forms:

Blank incident, injury, trauma and illness forms

Completed incident, injury, trauma and illness forms

Following documents in this folder:

Written process for observing, responding to, and recording signs of illness and injury in children

Written process for notifying families of illness or injuries that affect children while at the service

COMPLAINTS



TAB TITLE

CONTENT

Relevant NQS

Relevant Regulation

BLANK FORMS

Forms:

Blank complaints forms

Completed complaints forms

Ensure that the complaints form you are using has sections for the following:

Evidence that grievances and complaints are investigated and documented in a timely manner

Evidence that complaints lead to amendments to policies and procedures as required

Use a further divider tab to store the following documents (as applicable) to meet NQS compliance requirements:

o Records held by the Regulatory Authority in relation to complaints against the service that allege a breach of legislation or a serious incident

COMPLETED FORMS

REGULATORY AUTHORITY RECORDS

EXCURSIONS



TAB TITLE

CONTENT

Relevant NQS

Relevant Regulation

RISK ASSESSMENT RECORD

FAMILY AUTHORISA-TION FORM

Information required for each excursion includes:

The risk assessment record for the excursion

A copy of the detailed excursion information given to families, including;

The destination,

Mode of transport,

Educator-­‐to-­‐child ratios,

Number of adults in attendance,

Educators attending with a first aid certificate, and

Written authorisation for the child / children to be taken outside the service premises

Family authorisation for the excursion for each child attending (likely to be a detachable part of the excursion information form)

MAINTENANCE AND WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY



TAB TITLE

CONTENT

Relevant NQS

Relevant Regulation

SCHEDULES

Schedules:

Schedule for safety checks

Schedules for washing children’s toys and equipment

Schedule for the cleaning of buildings, premises, furniture and equipment

SAFETY CHECKS

Safety checks

Daily indoor safety check

Daily outdoor safety check

Completed safety checks of buildings, equipment and the general environment

Completed risk assessments of the physical environment identifying potential emergencies relevant to the service

MAINTENANCE

Maintenance

Record of reported maintenance required, including follow-­‐up action taken

PEST INSPECTIONS

Pest inspections

Records of pest / vermin inspections and/or eradication

MAINTENANCE AND WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY continued



TAB TITLE

CONTENT

Relevant NQS

Relevant Regulation

EMERGENCY DRILLS

Emergency drills

Records of emergency drills performed every three months, and evaluations of these

Emergency equipment

Evidence that fire emergency equipment has been tested as recommended by recognised authorities

Soft fall

Plans of indoor and outdoor areas, including information about soft fall

Equipment

Evidence that equipment meets Australian Safety Standards (e.g. Cots, highchairs)

SDS

Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for chemicals and cleaners used throughout the service

First aid

List of contents of each first aid kit, including record of when first aid kits were checked (it is recommended that each first aid kit in the service has its own documentation)

EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT

SOFT FALL

EQUIPMENT

SDS

FIRST AID

EDUCATOR’S PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT



TAB TITLE

CONTENT

Relevant NQS

Relevant Regulation

Records to be stored here for each staff member include:

Educator qualifications

Supervisor certificates

First Aid qualifications (including Asthma and Anaphylaxis training)

Evidence of training/testing on how to fit car seats and child restraints

Evidence of child protection training or professional development

Working With Children Check

Evidence of safety screening clearance

Evidence of participation in professional development activities to update knowledge and skills

INDIVIDUAL EDUCATOR FILE



TAB TITLE

CONTENT

Relevant NQS

Relevant Regulation

These files are confidential so should be stored in a locked cupboard or filing cabinet. They will need to be available for inspection by the Regulatory Authority.

Individual files should contain:

Full name, address and date of birth

Qualifications held (or evidence of working towards a qualification)

Supervisor certificate (if applicable)

Documented position description that:

Clearly outlines the responsibilities of the position

Clearly explains the approved provider’s expectations

Is used as the basis for monitoring and reviewing educators’, co-­‐ordinators’ and staff members’ performance

Performance reviews that have been conducted regularly and include updating professional development plans based on an evaluation of professional strengths, interests and goals

Exit data and documentation that provides information about the reasons for educators and co-­‐ordinators leaving the service if applicable

STAFF ROSTERS AND ATTENDANCE



TAB TITLE

CONTENT

Relevant NQS

Relevant Regulation

ROSTERS

ATTENDANCE

Rosters

Past staff rosters

Attendance

Past staff attendance records (sign-­‐in sheets)

VOLUNTEER, VISITOR, AND STUDENT ATTENDANCE



TAB TITLE

CONTENT

Relevant NQS

Relevant Regulation

VOLUNTEER ATTENDANCE STUDENT ATTENDANCE VISITOR RECORDS

The folder should contain three divider tabs for storage of the relevant completed attendance records, with the following headings:

Volunteer attendance

Student attendance

Visitor records

CHILDREN’S ATTENDANCE



TAB TITLE

CONTENT

Relevant NQS

Relevant Regulation

The NQS requires records to be kept of children’s attendances, including arrival and departure signed by the person delivering /collecting the child.

MEETING MINUTES



TAB TITLE

CONTENT

Relevant NQS

Relevant Regulation

Meeting minutes are a valuable source of evidence to demonstrate many items required by the NQS. It is therefore vital to keep all minutes together.

Write 5 strategies on how will you share this information with a new staff member that has recently started at your service, in order to support the understanding of NQF

Topic/item discussed in meeting with work placement supervisor



Discussions on how complaints led / will lead to amendments to policies and procedures as required

Professional discussion and interrogation of research and new ideas

Discussions regarding the review of the statement of philosophy and the Quality Improvement Plan in consultation with staff and families

Discussions exploring systems for collecting information from families, children, educators, co-­‐ordinators and staff members about their perceptions of the service

Discussions exploring how families are / can be involved in advisory, consultative, or decision-­‐making roles

Discussions on how the outcome of policy change was / is to be fully explained and communicated to families prior to implementation

Discussions involving ongoing communication with families and support agencies for children with additional needs

Discussions about liaising with other children’s services, local businesses, schools, health services, and organisations working with families and children in the local area

Discussions exploring members of the local community being invited into the service to contribute to the program

Discussions exploring how children have opportunities to learn about and contribute to the local community

Discussions involving all educator staff engaged with colleagues to reflect on practice, explore new possibilities, and plan for children’s experiences

Discussions that provide evidence that educators draw on the diverse knowledge, experiences and views of their colleagues in reviewing programs and teaching strategies

Discussions about projects or teamwork that capitalise on the diverse skills, knowledge, and strengths of the team

General feedback regarding the meeting

Supervisor Name:

Signature:

Date:

Student Name:

Signature:

Date:

CHOSEN QUALITY AREA

STRENGHTS IN THEIR PRACTICES

WEAKNESSES TO IMPROVE

Policies, daily charts, forms, checklists and other relevant documents related to this particular Quality Area:

Reasons for improvement/ identified issues (record below, what could be the actions could be taken for improvement of weaknesses.)

Delegated tasks to relevant people and date:

Did the student demonstrate that they could evaluate existing policies to determine their currency and relevance?

YES NO

COMMENTS

Did the student demonstrate that they could complete research and consultation in accordance with organisation policies and procedures?

YES NO

Did the student demonstrate that they could select and use policy formats and structures suited to policy users?

YES NO

Did the student demonstrate that they could draft policies that reflect the culture, values and objectives of the organisation?

YES NO

Did the student demonstrate that they clearly and logically articulate policy requirements and other information that supports policy statements?

YES NO

Did the student demonstrate that they could develop and implement consultation mechanisms for draft policies?

YES NO

Did the student demonstrate that they could identify policy implementation issues with key stakeholders?

YES NO

Did the student demonstrate that could present policy proposals to decision-makers according to organisation requirements?

YES NO

Did the student demonstrate that and gain formal approval according to organisation requirements?

YES NO

Did the student demonstrate that they could draft a policy implementation plan that maximises impact of new and revised policies?

YES NO

Did the student demonstrate that they could review policies in accordance with organisation policies and procedures?

YES NO

Did the student demonstrate that they could modify draft policies according to outcomes of consultation?

YES NO

Student’s overall performance in this task:

Have you read and signed activity (self-assessment initiation and QIP in one selected QA) developed by student

YES NO

Supervisor’s name

Date

Signature

STUDENT NAME & ID

TRAINER’S NAME

DATE

I Certify that the work submitted for this assessment pack is my own. I had clearly referenced any sources used in my submission. I understand that a false declaration is a form of malpractice.

I have kept a copy of this assessment, and all the relevant notes.

STUDENT SIGNATURE __________________________________________________

HAVE YOU ATTACHED

YES

IF NOT, EXPLAIN WHY

TASK 1- Theory Questions

TASK 2- Scenario, information letter and meeting minutes

TASK 3- Evaluation of existing policy

Amended policy after evaluation

TASK 4-Consultation plan

TASK 5- Compliance reference tool

TASK 6- self assessment

TASK 7 QIP (one Quality Area )

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