What Is the National Quality Framework (NQF)?
The National Quality Framework (NQF) is Australia’s national system for regulating and improving early childhood education and care. It was introduced to ensure that all children, no matter where they live, have access to safe, high-quality early learning environments. The NQF combines laws, regulations, and national standards into one consistent system, giving families confidence that approved childcare services meet the same expectations across the country.
In the ACT, the National Quality Framework applies to all approved early childhood services, including long day care, preschools, family day care, and outside-school-hours care. Each service operates under the same legal framework, ensuring consistency and transparency. For Canberra families, this means you can make informed choices knowing that every approved provider is assessed using the same criteria for quality and compliance.
Who Does the NQF Apply to in Canberra?
The National Quality Framework (NQF) applies to most early childhood and school-age care services operating in the ACT. This includes long day care centres, community and independent preschools, family day care educators, and outside-school-hours care (OSHC) programs.
Each of these services must hold approval to operate under the National Law and Regulations. They are regularly assessed by the ACT’s regulatory authority to ensure they meet the requirements of the National Quality Framework (NQF) and demonstrate ongoing commitment to improvement. When you see a service listed on Canberra Childcare as an approved provider, it means that centre is part of the NQF and accountable to these national standards.
Why Does the NQF Matter for Children and Families?
The National Quality Framework (NQF) matters because it ensures that all children experience high-quality education and care during their most formative years. It isn’t just about meeting safety requirements — it’s about nurturing a child’s learning, wellbeing, and sense of belonging.
High-quality early learning services, such as those operating under the National Quality Framework in Canberra, provide children with secure relationships, responsive educators, and environments that encourage discovery and confidence. The framework gives families peace of mind that their child’s educators are qualified, the service is well-managed, and the curriculum is based on recognised learning principles such as the Early Years Learning Framework.
For Canberra families, the National Quality Framework also supports transparency. Each service’s performance is publicly rated, allowing parents to see how centres compare across key quality measures and to choose services that best reflect their values and expectations.
How Does the NQF Work in Canberra Services?
In practice, the National Quality Framework (NQF) is implemented through a combination of regulatory oversight, educator qualifications, and service assessment. Canberra services are regularly reviewed to ensure they comply with the National Law and Regulations, and each is rated against the National Quality Standard — a key part of the NQF that defines what quality looks like in everyday operations.
The NQS is made up of seven Quality Areas:
- Educational program and practice – how educators plan and deliver learning experiences.
- Children’s health and safety – ensuring children’s physical and emotional wellbeing is protected.
- Physical environment – the design and use of indoor and outdoor spaces for play and learning.
- Staffing arrangements – maintaining appropriate ratios, qualifications, and continuity of care.
- Relationships with children – building positive, respectful relationships that support learning.
- Collaborative partnerships with families and communities – working together with families to support each child’s growth.
- Leadership and governance – ensuring services are well-managed and committed to continuous improvement.
Canberra services are rated in each area on a scale from “Significant Improvement Required” to “Exceeding the National Quality Standard.” Many also maintain a Quality Improvement Plan (QIP), which identifies their goals, progress, and strategies for further development.
When Should Families Ask About the NQF?
Families should ask about the National Quality Framework (NQF) as part of their decision-making process when choosing a childcare provider. During tours or enrolment discussions, it’s helpful to ask about the service’s current NQS rating, when it was last assessed, and how it uses its Quality Improvement Plan.
Most Canberra centres display their certificates and rating summaries, and many are happy to share their improvement plans with prospective families. These documents can provide valuable insight into how the service reflects on its strengths and works to enhance its programs and environments.
By asking about the National Quality Framework early in your search, you can better understand each service’s approach to quality, leadership, and continuous improvement — giving you confidence that your child will be supported in a safe, nurturing, and educationally rich environment.
What Questions Should I Ask a Canberra Centre About the NQF?
When exploring services in the ACT, you might ask how often the service is assessed under the National Quality Framework (NQF), what rating it achieved, and what areas it’s focusing on for improvement. You can also ask how the service applies the Early Years Learning Framework or the My Time, Our Place framework in its programming, and how families are involved in the centre’s quality review process.
A Canberra service that can answer these questions clearly — and show evidence of reflective practice and improvement — demonstrates a strong commitment to providing the best possible learning environment for children.
National Quality Framework FAQs for Canberra Parents
Q: What is the National Quality Framework?
A: The National Quality Framework (NQF) is Australia’s national system for regulating and improving early childhood education and care. It combines the National Law, Regulations, the National Quality Standard (NQS), approved learning frameworks, and assessment processes to ensure children receive high-quality education and care. In Canberra, all approved childcare services operate within the NQF, giving families confidence that each provider meets consistent national standards.
Q: Who does the NQF apply to in Canberra?
A: The NQF applies to most approved early learning and school-age care services across the ACT, including long day care, preschools, family day care, and outside-school-hours care. Each service must be approved under the National Law and is regularly assessed by the ACT regulatory authority to ensure compliance and continuous quality improvement.
Q: Why is the NQF important for children and families?
A: The NQF matters because it focuses on more than compliance — it’s about the quality of education, relationships, and environments that shape early learning. For Canberra families, it means every approved service meets the same expectations for safety, educator qualifications, and program quality. It also ensures transparency through public ratings that help parents make informed decisions.
Q: What are the seven Quality Areas under the NQF?
A: The NQF uses the National Quality Standard (NQS) to assess services across seven key areas: educational program and practice; children’s health and safety; physical environment; staffing arrangements; relationships with children; partnerships with families and communities; and leadership and governance. Each area contributes to the overall quality and improvement of early learning in Canberra.
Q: How is the NQF implemented in Canberra services?
A: Canberra services are assessed and rated against the seven Quality Areas, receiving an overall rating that reflects their level of quality — from “Significant Improvement Required” to “Exceeding the National Quality Standard.” Services also maintain a Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) that identifies their goals and strategies for continuous development, often shared with families for transparency.
Q: When should families ask about a service’s NQF rating?
A: Families should ask about a service’s NQF rating during the initial tour or enquiry. Centres in Canberra display their certificates and are happy to explain their current rating, areas of focus, and future goals. Reviewing this information gives families a clear sense of the service’s commitment to quality and improvement.
Q: How can parents be involved in the NQF process?
A: Parents play an important role by engaging with their service’s Quality Improvement Plan, sharing feedback, and participating in family partnerships. Canberra services value input from families as part of their continuous improvement cycle, ensuring that care and education reflect community needs and family priorities.
