National Quality Standards 

The National Quality Standard (NQS) sets a national benchmark for early childhood education and care services. It promotes the safety, health and wellbeing of children. The NQS includes 7 quality areas.

These quality areas are:

  • Education program and practice.
  • Children’s health and safety.
  • Physical environment.
  • Staffing arrangements.
  • Relationships with children.
  • Collaborative partnerships with families and communities.
  • Governance and leadership.

The guiding principles of the NQF include:

  • Safeguarding the rights of every child.
  • Viewing all children as capable learners.
  • Equity and Inclusion.
  • Valuing Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.
  • Recognising that families are children’s first teachers.
  • Having services that always deliver best practice.

This is the area that most relevant to the First Nations authentic products produced by a First Nation person. 

Quality Area 1 

BE PART OF RECONCILIATION

Fostering children’s understanding and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and challenging biases can impact on children’s future attitudes towards cultural diversity.

All educators have the potential to make a significant and positive difference in National Reconciliation.

In particular, NQS Quality Area 6 asks educators to make connections and engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. It’s important to recognise that reconciliation and engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and perspectives are also relevant to other Quality Areas.

Quality area 3 

Here are some tips for meeting the NQS for Quality Area 3:

  • Consider the community: Consider how the space represents the local community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture. 
  • Consider the children: Consider how children use the space and if they feel ownership of it. 
  • Consider accessibility: Consider if people who are not able-bodied can access all spaces. 
  • Have policies and procedures: Have policies and procedures to guide the upkeep and maintenance of the service. 

Please refer to the ACECQA website for more information www.acecqa.gov.au