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TRANSCRIPT
CCCC’s Really Simple Regulations Sessions
Community Child Care Co-operative advocates
for quality, affordable, accessible children’s
services for children and families.
We work hard to influence government policy
and centre practices and programs in the
interests of creating positive outcomes for
children and families.
We keep the children’s services sector
informed and inspired with current information,
exciting professional learning opportunities, and
innovative publications and resources.
Community Child Care
Community Child Care
Co-operative is a NSW based
non-profit organisation working in the
children’s services sector.
We are the peak body for community
based children’s services in NSW and
work to ensure positive outcomes for
children and their families.
About Community Child Care
Our contact details
(02) 8922 6444
21/142 Addison Road Marrickville 2204
www.ccccnsw.org.au
By the end of the session participants will be able to…
1. Describe the relationships between the Regulations, the Law and the National Quality Standard;
2. Identify the main differences between the Children’s Services Regulation 2004 and the current National Regulations;
3. Accurately describe some of the current requirements; and
4. Explain some of the changes you now need to make at centre level.
Handouts/slides etc
Every participant will receive a copy of CCCC’s Simple Guide to the New Regulations.
Session slides available for those who do online evaluation of session.
Disclaimer
The content of this session is provided for information purposes only.
Although we have taken all care in providing accurate information we do so on the basis that all participants undertake responsibility for assessing the relevance and accuracy of the content for their service’s situation.
REGULATIONS?
So to start at the very beginning…
What are Regulations?Regulations are the way that laws are applied.
Our regulations are the rules under which children’s services must operate.
We used to operate under a NSW Regulation.
As of 1st January this year we now operate under National Regulations.
So what has changed?
We previously had a NSW Law and the Children’s Services Regulation 2004.
We now have the:
Children (Education and Care Services National Law Application) Act 2010
and Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011
You have to have a copy!
It is an offence under the Regulations not to have one.
Download it; View it online; DEEWR will send all services one on a CD.
Chapter 4 and Chapter 7 are the main chapters you need to be aware of.
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
The Regulations and the National Quality Standard
When does it all happen?
Abide by Regulation – January 2012Changes to Ratios - January 2016Changes to Qualifications – January
2014QIP - April 30, 2012Assessment – From June 2012
APPROVALS
Approvals
You had a Licence
(Children’s Services Provider Licence and Service Approval)
PROVIDER APPROVAL: nationally recognised – enables providers to apply for Service Approvals in any Australian state or territory.
SERVICE APPROVAL: authorises an approved provider to
operate a specific education and care service.
ROLES
Nominated Supervisors
Every service must appoint a single Nominated Supervisor.
To be a Nominated Supervisor you must have a Certified Supervisor’s Certificate and be appointed by your service as the Nominated Supervisor.
The Nominated Supervisor responsible (along with the Approved Provider) for ensuring it is following the Law and the Regulations eg ratios and qualifications.
Certified Supervisors
Do not have same responsibilities as a Nominated Supervisor.
Must have specified skills and experience.
A Supervisor’s Certificate stays with the individual – not the service.
Responsible Person
Under the Regulations, you must have a responsible person present whenever there are children being educated and cared for by the service.
A responsible person can be:
The APPROVED PROVIDER; or
The NOMINATED SUPERVISOR; or
A CERTIFIED SUPERVISOR who has been placed in day-to-day charge of the service.
So how do we do this?
Most services will probably choose to have a number of their staff apply for Supervisor’s Certificates so that there is always someone who can be the responsible person at their service.
Educational Leader
Every service must also have an Educational Leader. (designated in writing)
They must be “suitably qualified and experienced”.
Their role is to “lead the development and implementation of educational programs in the service”.
STAFFING AND RATIOS
CHANGES
Qualifications
Minimum Qualification: Certificate III in Children’s Services (or working towards)
50% of staff: a Diploma or higher qualification (or working towards)
Early Childhood teachers
Ratios
For NSW services the only change to ratios is for toddlers (25 months to 35 months). The new ratio from 2016 is 1 educator to 5 children.
Educators must be working directly with children to be included in the ratios.
For mixed age group ratios see the printed resource.
WAIVERS
What Waivers Exist?
If you cannot meet some of the physical environment or staffing requirements of the Regulations, you can apply for a waiver.
Service Waiver – provides a waiver on an ongoing basis.
Temporary Waiver – provides a waiver for a fixed period (up to 12 months).
ASSESSMENT AND RATING
General
The National Quality Standard is the standard against which services:
Self-assess their performance in delivering quality education and care;
Plan future improvements to their service via the Quality Improvement Plan; and
Are assessed against by the Department of Education and Communities.
Self Assessment
Self-assessment drives reflection on quality education and care
Reflection determines quality improvements
Quality Improvement Plans
The outcome of self-assessment against the Standard is the development of a Quality Improvement Plan.
You need to prepare your plan by 30 April 2012.
You only need to send it to DEC when they request it.
Assessor visits Assessment undertaken by DEC (assessment and
compliance officers) Service notified, asked to submit QIP Then will get date of assessment and rating visit
When will assessment start?
June 2012!All service’s initial rating will be
“Provisional—Not Yet Assessed under the National Quality Framework”.
Ratings
ENFORCEMENT AND COMPLIANCE
How will the Regulations be enforced?
Under the National Law, DEC has a range of different mechanisms to use for ensuring services comply with the Regulations (as well as the rating system of course!).
The National Law and Regulations contain certain offences, for example failing to adequately supervise children.
POLICIES
What Policies do You Need?
These are the minimum policies required under Regulations – other policies may be required under other legislation eg WHS.
WHERE NEXT?
Director/Manager/Provider
Organise Certified Supervisors Organise Waivers Appoint an Educational Leader Assess that service will meet Qualifications Review Policies Complete Self Assessment Do Quality Improvement Plan
For your educators and staff
What do you, as a director, need to ensure your educators and staff know? What is in the National Quality Standard; That the service needs to have responsible person present; Who the Educational Leader is and what their role entails; Whether they have to upgrade qualifications; Calculations and processes for ensuring the service meets ratios
and qualifications requirements at all times; Changes to policies and procedures; and What is in your Quality Improvement Plan.
FINDING OUT MORE
Websites
The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) www.acecqa.gov.au/
Department of Education and Communities www.educationandcommunities.nsw.gov.au/ 1800 619 113
Community Child Care Co-operative www.ccccnsw.org.au
Children’s Services Central www.cscentral.org.au 1800 157 818
Help Guides
Guide to the National Quality Framework
Guide to the National Law and National Regulations
Guide to the National Quality Standard
Guide to Developing a Quality Improvement Plan
Quality Improvement Plan template
Professional Development
Children’s Services Central
www.cscentral.org.au
Community Child Care
www.ccccnsw.org.au
Other training providers
FAQs CCCC has developed a list of Frequently
Asked Questions from your questions today and at other sessions. These are answered and placed on the CCCC website at www.ccccnsw.org.au
Thanks