DID YOU KNOW….

Research shows that quality education and care early in life leads to better health, education, and employment outcomes later in life, and that the early years are critical for establishing self-esteem, resilience, healthy growth, and capacity to learn.

Quality education and care shape every child’s future and lay the foundation for development and learning.

MOTHER DUCK SERVICES AND THE NATIONAL QUALITY STANDARDS

On 1 January 2012, the National Quality Framework (NQF) was launched and adopted Australia-wide to provide a shared vision for governments and the children’s education and care sector. The NQF is underpinned by both the Education and Care Services National Law, and Education and Care Services National Regulation which all Mother Duck services hold a Service Approval under.

Approved services across Australia are required to meet high national standards to ensure your child is safe and is given opportunities for learning and development on a regular basis.  Under the NQF these services are given a National Quality Standard (NQS) quality ratings to help families choose the best service for their child and family.

 Services are rated against seven NQS quality areas:

1. Educational program and practice
2. Children’s health and safety
3. Physical environment
4. Staffing arrangements
5. Relationships with children
6. Collaborative Partnerships with families and communities
7. Governance and Leadership

Services are given a rating for each of the seven NQS quality areas and an overall rating based on these results.

Services may be rated

• Significant Improvement Required
• Working Towards NQS
• Meeting NQS
• Exceeding NQS
• Excellent

All Mother Duck services are approved, and hold a service quality rating assessed by the Queensland Regulatory Authority with all services meeting the National Quality Standards, and most receiving an Exceeding National Quality Standards rating.

Below you will find examples of exactly how each of our Mother Duck services delivers high-quality education and care under each of the seven quality areas –

 1) Educational program and practice

 Your child is supported to participate in play and learning

At each of our Mother Duck services, Educators develop and deliver an education and care curriculum based on the culture, interests, abilities, and needs of each child at the service. Our curriculum decisions reflect each child’s interests, meet their needs, and evolve over time to support their learning progress. You will see –

• Each child has the opportunity to develop their particular interests
• Children are consistently encouraged to express ideas and participate in decisions about their program
• All educators recognise that your child is competent and capable even if they need some extra support
• The diversity of the children at the service is reflected through learning opportunities
• All aspects of the program, including routines, maximise children’s learning

2) Children’s health and safety

Your child is protected from illness and hazards

At Mother Duck, we know that being healthy helps your child actively participate in the learning environment. All our Educators and other staff take every reasonable step to protect your child from harm and hazards, illnesses and injuries, and at all times your children are actively supervised. All our Mother Duck services are designed to ensure that all children are given daily opportunities to be physically active and practice new skills, both indoors and outdoors. You will see –

• Educators consistently providing for children’s wellbeing and comfort e.g. appropriate opportunities to meet each child’s need for sleep, rest, and relaxation.
• Regular communication with families about health practices and procedures e.g. if there is an outbreak of an infectious illness
• Frequent physical activity built into the educational curriculum every day
• Healthy menus
• Support for breastfeeding mothers

3) Physical environment

Your child plays in a safe and well-maintained environment

Each of our Mother Duck services designs their indoor Studios and outdoor spaces to provide accessible and age-appropriate opportunities for each child to learn, play and develop their skills. At all times the furniture and equipment in our Studios are used in creative ways to promote inclusiveness so that each and every child can take part in play and learning, and spaces are planned to support children to become physically competent, to explore their environment independently, and to learn through play. You will see –

• Children regularly exploring, experimenting, and creating in indoor and outdoor environments
• Rooms and play spaces that are safe and in good condition
• Generous amounts of materials and learning resources for all children

4) Staffing arrangements

There are enough qualified staff to give your child the attention they need

At Mother Duck, we understand the critical role all Educators play in your child’s learning and development. Mother Duck services always meet and most often exceed the NQF requirements for the qualifications of educators, educator-to-child ratios requirements and consistently ensure active and appropriate supervision for the safety, welfare, and wellbeing of children. You will see –

• Suitably qualified and experienced educators, and staff members
• Staffing practices that reflect the philosophy, values, and vision of our Mother Duck services
• Educators treating one another with respect and working well together

5) Relationships with children

Your child is made to feel supported and welcomed

All children need to know that others care about them, and are interested in what they do, think, and feel. This is essential for their wellbeing, learning, and development. At Mother Duck, all our Educators develop positive relationships with every child by being responsive to and respectful of their needs and ideas. Educators’ interactions are warm and meaningful and promote and build trust and self-esteem in children. Mother Duck Educators support your child to feel secure, confident, and included. You will see –

• An atmosphere that is relaxed and happy
• Children being encouraged to display kindness and compassion
• Educators and children regularly engaged in genuine and meaningful conversations

6) Collaborative partnerships with families and communities

Local community involvement and respect for the beliefs and values of families

You are your child’s first teacher and their biggest influence. Research shows that the quality of education and care children receive is enhanced when families and educators develop respective, supportive relationships and work in partnership. At Mother Duck, we consistently work to engage with families and the local community to build your child’s sense of belonging in the wider world. You will see –

• Effective enrolment and orientation processes and access to current information
• Educators consistently communicating respectfully with you
• Educators informing you about your child’s learning and development
• Families being involved in decision-making and being able to express concerns freely
• Educators supporting and empowering you in your role

7) Governance and leadership

 Your child is cared for in a positive and well-managed environment

To achieve the best outcomes for children and families, our Mother Duck services employ skilled educators, use thorough administrative and risk management systems, and operate under well-developed and documented policies and procedures that ensure a safe and healthy learning environment for all children. Each Mother Duck service follows an ongoing cycle of self-assessment, planning, and review, including engagement with families that creates the climate for continuous quality improvement for all our Mother Duck services. You will see – 

• A sense of pride and cohesion among management and educators
• A Quality Improvement Plan with the service’s current goals and strategies for quality improvement policies and procedures that are current and available for families
• Documents displayed at the service. For example the service’s NQS rating, Service Approval, who the nominated supervisor is, and any waivers
• Quick and effective responses to complaints.

LINKS TO FURTHER INFORMATION:

• Information for Families
• Understanding the National Quality Standard