In Focus

Regulatory Spotlight

Information to consider when developing and reviewing policies and procedures  

Approved providers must ensure their education and care (ECEC) services have policies and procedures covering a range of areas set out in regulations 168 and 169 of the Education and Care Services National Regulations 2012 (WA) (National Regulations).

Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) have developed a set of guidelines for approved providers to consider when preparing and reviewing these policies and procedures. They offer a starting point to develop policies and procedures that are comprehensive, current and suited to each service.

As the guidelines have been prepared for use Australia-wide, services will also need to consider any relevant state or territory specific requirements when drafting their policies and procedures and adapt them accordingly.

Regulation 170 of the National Regulations requires approved providers to take reasonable steps to ensure staff follow their service’s policies and procedures. How approved providers, and their services, take reasonable steps may look different, depending on the specific requirements of each policy and procedure and the issue they are designed to address. The ACECQA Six reasonable steps to ensure staff follow policies and procedures resource provides guidance for providers and services to consider when developing strategies to meet regulation 170.

Quality in Focus 

Respiratory Illness Outbreaks - Policy Review Time!

It is common in ECEC services to see a significant rise in the incidences of respiratory illnesses during the winter months. This presents the perfect opportunity to review your health-related policies and procedures (regulation 168) and audit your current practices.

Acute respiratory illness includes common infections which cause symptoms affecting the respiratory tract. There are many viruses which cause acute respiratory illness in young children. Some common respiratory viruses include rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza, and parainfluenza. COVID-19 can also cause acute respiratory illness. The symptoms caused by these viruses can range from mild (runny nose, cough, fever) to more severe (inflammation of the small airways, called bronchiolitis, and pneumonia). The spread of all respiratory viruses can be reduced using the same infection control practices.

What can you do?

• Limit the spread of infectious diseases by ensuring appropriate infection control practices are adhered to
• Use effective hand hygiene
• Exclude unwell children and staff
• Use personal protective equipment
• Complete effective environmental cleaning
• Role model correct hygiene practices to children
• Provide regular opportunities for explicit learning about health and hygiene

5th Edition Staying Healthy – Preventing infectious diseases in early childhood education and care services provides more information.

Guide to the National Quality Framework (NQF)

The ACECQA Guide to the National Quality Framework (NQF) is designed to help education and care providers, educators and authorised officers understand and apply the requirements of the NQF.

The guide is not legal advice and should be read in conjunction with the National Law and Regulations, which take precedence over any guidance.

As there will be further updates to this publication during 2023, hardcopies are not available for purchase at this time.

The guide provides information for all types of service in all states and territories. It is not intended to be read from cover to cover, nor is all of the information within it relevant to every service. Rather, it has been designed as a comprehensive reference document to be referred to when seeking guidance on particular matters, such as applications and approvals, operational requirements, and the National Quality Standard.

The guide has been designed as an online PDF document and will be updated as required. Along with ensuring that you will always be referring to the latest version, another benefit of using the online PDF is that it enables you to search for content quickly and easily by key word(s).

A full version of the Guide to the NQF can be downloaded from the ACECQA website.

Latest  News 

Reportable Conduct Scheme – New information

The Ombudsman Western Australia website provides information sheets and guidance about the Reportable Conduct Scheme. Information sheets have recently been developed and updated.

There are updated information sheets on:

• Frequently Asked Questions
• Information Sheet 1 - Overview of the Reportable Conduct Scheme
• Information Sheet 2 – About the reportable Conduct Scheme
• How does the Reportable Conduct Scheme work?  This updated sheet reflects the recent Working with Children Check changes relating to the Reportable Conduct Scheme.

There are new information sheets including:

• Information Sheet 7 – Information for employees
• Information Sheet 8 – Reportable Conduct investigations
• Information Sheet 9 – Undertaking inclusive investigations.

Early Learning Matters Week 2023 runs from Monday 24 July to Friday 28 July. In conjunction with Early Childhood Australia, Early Learning Matters Week aims to raise awareness of the importance of the ECEC sector.

The theme for 2023 is Learning Through Connection in recognition of how connection supports learning. Whether it is a connection to the community, a connection to Country or a connection to peers, children’s connections build the foundations for their learning.

Visit the Early Learning Matters Week website for more information including resources to raise awareness within your community.

Working with culturally and linguistically diverse families

The Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS), in partnership with Child Family Community Australia, have developed a  directory of organisations to support children and families who are culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD).

The directory is aimed at professionals who work with children and families, and acts as a support system by referring individuals to specialised services relevant to their needs. The resource is categorised by State/Territory, allowing you to filter the location in which the support is needed.

The NQF recognises all children’s capacity and right to succeed regardless of diverse circumstances, cultural background and abilities. Partnerships with CALD children and families should be authentic, celebrate diversity and recognise that everyone will progress in different and equally meaningful ways.

The approved learning frameworks have recently been updated, including strengthening Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives throughout the frameworks including within the vision, principles, practices, and outcomes.

Cool Australia has developed a set of resources that focus on Caring for Country. Through a series of activities and accompanying resources, the program aims to develop children’s understanding of what it means to care for Country, and what a connection to Country means.

Embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges and perspectives within your service program and practices, acknowledges the significant role that early childhood and school age education and care services have in the authentic advancement of Reconciliation in Australia.

Calendar of Events - August 

1-7 August       World Breast Feeding Week

4 August          National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Children's Day 'Little Voices, Louder Futures'

4 August           Jeans for Genes Day Jeans for Genes Australia

7-13 August     Dental Health Week

7-13 August     Keep Australia Beautiful Week

11 August         Red Nose Day

12-20 August   National Science Week

19-25 August   Book Week

20-26 August   Speech Pathology Week