What is the National Quality Framework?

The National Quality Framework (NQF) is the federal regulatory system that governs the quality and operation of child care services across Australia, including those in the Perth Metropolitan area. It applies to long-day care, family day care, preschools, and other approved child care settings.

The Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) administers the NQF on behalf of state and federal governments. Under the National Quality Standard (NQS), ACECQA conducts regular assessments of child care providers and assigns them a rating of unsatisfactory, meets, exceeds, or excellent based on performance across ten quality areas. These include educational program and practice, children's health and safety, physical environments, staffing arrangements, and relationships with families and communities.

The NQF operates under the Education and Care Services National Law, which sets legal requirements for provider registration, educator qualifications, child-to-staff ratios, and facility conditions. Compliance is mandatory for all child care services operating in Australia. When searching for child care providers in Perth, parents can view each service's NQF rating and latest assessment report through the ACECQA website, giving them clear information about quality and regulatory standing.

The framework aims to ensure consistent quality and safety across all child care services while supporting providers to continuously improve their practices and educational outcomes for children.