Quality Area 1 of the National Quality Standard (NQS) focuses on ensuring that educational programs and practices in early childhood education are stimulating and engaging and promote children’s learning and development. In school-age care services, this area nurtures the development of essential life skills and supports children’s experiences at school, at home, and within the community.
The NQS handout clearly breaks down the quality areas, standards, and elements that form the foundation of Quality Area 1.
Standards in Quality Area 1
There are 3 standards that underpin Quality Area 1: Educational Program and Practice.
Standard 1.1 Program; The educational program enhances each child’s learning and development.
Standard 1.2 Practice; Educators facilitate and extend each child’s learning and development.
Standard 1.3 Assessment and Planning; Educators and co-ordinators take a planned and reflective approach to implementing the program for each child.
Elements in Quality Area 1
There are 3 elements that underpin standard 1.1 Program
Element 1.1.1 Approved learning framework: Curriculum decision-making contributes to each child’s learning and development outcomes in relation to their identity, connection with community, wellbeing, confidence as learners and effectiveness as communicators.
Element 1.1.2 Child-centered: Each child’s current knowledge, strengths, ideas, culture, abilities and interests are the foundation of the program.
Element 1.1.3 Programmed learning opportunities: All aspects of the program, including routines, are organised in ways that maximise opportunities for each child’s learning
There are 3 elements that underpin standard 1.2 Practice
Element 1.2.1 Intentional teaching: Educators are deliberate, purposeful, and thoughtful in their decisions and actions.
Element 1.2.2 Responsive teaching and scaffolding: Educators respond to children’s ideas and play and extend children’s learning through open-ended questions, interactions and feedback.
Element 1.2.3 Child directed learning: Each child’s agency is promoted, enabling them to make choices and decisions that influence events and their world.
There are 3 elements that underpin standard 1.3 Assessment and planning
Element 1.3.1 Assessment and planning cycle: Each child’s learning and development is assessed or evaluated as part of an ongoing cycle of observation, analysing learning, documentation, planning, implementation and reflection.
Element 1.3.2 Critical reflection: Critical reflection on children’s learning and development, both as individuals and in groups, drives program planning and implementation.
Element 1.3.3 Information for families: Families are informed about the program and their child’s progress.
For more information on Quality Area 1, visit the ACECQA website.
