What is a nominated supervisor?
A nominated supervisor is the person legally accountable for the daily operation and regulatory compliance of a child care service under the Education and Care Services National Law.
Under the Education and Care Services National Law, every child care service must have a nominated supervisor who holds overall responsibility for the service's compliance with the National Regulations and quality standards. This individual is the accountable point of contact for regulatory bodies and must be physically present at the service for the majority of operating hours, unless granted an exemption.
The nominated supervisor's duties include overseeing day-to-day operations, ensuring educators hold valid qualifications and working with appropriate child-to-staff ratios, managing incident and injury reporting, and implementing policies that meet the National Quality Framework. They are responsible for ensuring parents are informed of significant events and that the service maintains records of enrolment, medical information, and attendance. The role also requires monitoring staff conduct, coordinating professional development, and addressing non-compliance issues before they escalate to regulatory action.
If the nominated supervisor is absent from the service, a certified responsible person may assume some duties temporarily. However, the nominated supervisor remains legally accountable for the service's overall compliance even during leave periods. For long day care centres and other approved services across Perth Metropolitan, having a clearly identified and capable nominated supervisor is essential for maintaining accreditation, protecting children's safety, and demonstrating good governance to families. Services must notify the regulator of any changes to their nominated supervisor within specified timeframes.