Ensuring Quality Care and Education
Licensing
YPK is licensed under the Education and Care Services National Law (Queensland) and Education and Care Services National Regulation by the Division of Early Childhood Education and Care of the Department of Education, Training and Employment (DETE) for 46 children from 36 months up to and including over preschool age. You can contact the Early Childhood Information Service (ECIS) via email at ecec@det.qld.gov.au, by phoning 13 QGOV (13 74 68) 24 hours, 7 days a week or by visiting https://det.qld.gov.au/earlychildhood.
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Our centre complies with the Act and the Regulations including requirements about activities, experiences and programmes, the numbers of staff and children and staff qualifications. The Regulations are available at https://www.acecqa.gov.au/nqf/national-law-regulations. The centre’s licence is displayed on the noticeboard. The licence outlines the maximum number of children that can attend the centre at any one time.
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The Division of Early Childhood, Education and Care office for this region is at Level 2, Block A, 643 Kessels Road, Upper Mount Gravatt, and can be contacted on 3028 8063 or via email mtgravatt.ecec@qed.qld.gov.au.
National Quality Framework
The National Quality Framework (NQF) was introduced on 1 January 2012 https://www.acecqa.gov.au/national-quality-framework. The NQF aims to raise quality and drive continuous improvement and consistency in education and care services through:
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a national legislative framework
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a National Quality Standard
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a national quality rating and assessment process (A&R)
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a national body - the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA).
The National Quality Standard sets benchmarks for the quality of education and care services. It is divided into seven Quality Areas:
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Educational programme and practice
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Children’s health and safety
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Physical environment
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Staffing arrangements
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Relationships with children
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Collaborative partnerships with families and communities
7. Leadership and service management.
The National Quality Standard aims to promote:
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the safety, health, and wellbeing of children
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a focus on achieving outcomes for children through high-quality educational programmes
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families’ understanding of what distinguishes a quality service.
YPK was most recently assessed under the National Quality Framework in 2021 when we were pleased to be rated as “Meeting the National Quality Standard” in each of the seven Quality Areas.
Further information regarding the NQF and the A&R process can be found here:
https://www.startingblocks.gov.au/media/2164/startingblocks_assessment_rating_processv3-1.pdf
Blue Cards
Under Queensland law, staff and volunteers working with children are required to hold a current Positive Notice for Working with Children Check (Blue Card). The Blue Card is issued by the State Government Blue Card Services to an individual after a criminal history check is conducted and the staff member/volunteer, having no criminal record, is therefore deemed to be suitable for working with children.
There is no cost for volunteers or committee members to obtain a Blue Card. Blue Cards must be current at all times and are renewable every three years. Forms are available from the Blue Card Services website.