National Quality Standard
What is the National Quality Standard?
The National Quality Standard (NQS) sets the benchmark for the quality of education and care in Australian early learning services. It forms part of the National Quality Framework and describes what “high quality” looks like in practice — from children’s learning and safety to leadership and continuous improvement. Every approved service (long day care, family day care, preschool/kindergarten, and OSHC) is assessed against the NQS by their state or territory regulatory authority and receives a public rating.
For families, the NQS makes quality visible. It gives you a clear way to compare services and understand how a provider performs across key areas that matter for your child’s wellbeing and learning.
Why the National Quality Standard Matters
Quality early learning isn’t about a shiny building or a long list of activities — it’s about consistent, thoughtful practice that supports each child to feel safe, confident and curious. The NQS brings that into focus. When a service meets or exceeds the NQS, you can be confident there are robust systems in place: a purposeful curriculum, safe and responsive environments, qualified educators, strong relationships with children and families, and effective leadership.
The NQS also drives improvement. Services regularly reflect on their practice, document goals in a Quality Improvement Plan (QIP), and work towards higher standards over time. That means quality isn’t a one-off event — it’s a cycle of planning, action and review that benefits your child every day.
The 7 Quality Areas of the National Quality Standard
QA1 — Educational program and practice
Focus: what and how children learn.
Services plan play-based programs that extend each child’s interests and support progress across the Early Years Learning Framework (or My Time, Our Place in OSHC). You should see intentional teaching, thoughtful documentation and clear communication about learning.
QA2 — Children’s health and safety
Focus: children’s physical and emotional safety.
Expect strong supervision, risk management, first aid, allergy and medical plans, safe sleep practices, and supportive approaches to behaviour and wellbeing.
QA3 — Physical environment
Focus: spaces that invite exploration.
Indoor and outdoor areas are safe, well-resourced and designed for play, curiosity and independence. Sustainable practices are embedded in everyday routines.
QA4 — Staffing arrangements
Focus: qualified, capable and consistent teams.
Appropriate educator-to-child ratios, relevant qualifications, and a stable team who know the children well and work together effectively.
QA5 — Relationships with children
Focus: warm, respectful, responsive interactions.
Children are known as individuals. Educators listen, notice and respond so children feel they belong and can express themselves confidently.
QA6 — Collaborative partnerships with families and communities
Focus: families as true partners.
Open communication, genuine respect for family knowledge, and meaningful connections with community services, professionals and schools.
QA7 — Governance and leadership
Focus: the systems behind great practice.
Clear policies, strong leadership, professional learning and accountability. Good governance keeps quality consistent and sustainable.
Child Care Guide Tip: Child Care Guide offer a complete guide to the Seven Quality Areas of the NQS.
How Services Are Assessed and Rated
Regulatory officers visit services to observe practice, review documentation and talk with educators and leaders. Each of the seven Quality Areas is rated, and then an overall rating is determined. Ratings are publicly available and usually remain current for a period before the next assessment.
Common overall ratings you may see include:
- Exceeding National Quality Standard
- Meeting National Quality Standard
- Working Towards National Quality Standard
- Significant Improvement Required
(You may also see “Not Yet Assessed” for newer services. Some services that demonstrate exemplary practice may be recognised with an Excellent award by the national authority. This sits above Exceeding but is not a separate NQS rating category for all services.)
Remember: Ratings are a snapshot in time. Strong services continue improving between assessments, so it’s worth asking how the team has built on their last report.
The Quality Improvement Plan (QIP)
Every approved service must keep a Quality Improvement Plan. The QIP outlines strengths and identifies specific goals — for example, improving outdoor learning spaces, strengthening cultural responsiveness or refining the planning cycle. Families can ask to view the QIP. It’s one of the best ways to see a service’s commitment to growth and how they’re acting on feedback, data and reflection.
How to Use NQS Ratings When Choosing a Service
National Quality Standard ratings are a powerful guide, but they’re only one part of the picture. Use them to shortlist services, then look deeper:
- Read the breakdown by Quality Area to understand strengths and priorities.
- Ask how the service has responded to feedback in its QIP since the last assessment.
- Tour the service to see practice in action: relationships, environments, routines and documentation.
- Notice how educators communicate with you and with children; this often tells you more than any rating alone.
A service rated Meeting may be a fantastic fit for your family if the team’s values, communication style and learning approach align with your child’s needs. Likewise, an Exceeding service should still feel welcoming, organised and responsive when you visit.
What High Quality Looks Like Day-to-Day
In services that meet or exceed the National Quality Standard, families often notice:
- A calm, predictable rhythm to the day, with flexibility for children’s interests and needs.
- Educators who know each child well, greet them warmly and explain learning in clear, friendly language.
- Environments that invite exploration — open-ended materials, cosy spaces for rest, and challenging outdoor areas.
- Documentation that shows progress over time and explains the “why” behind experiences.
- Professional, proactive communication about safety, health and inclusion.
You’ll feel the difference: children are engaged and confident, educators are present and purposeful, and the service runs smoothly even when the day gets busy.
NQS, EYLF and Your Child
The National Quality Standard and the Early Years Learning Framework work together. The EYLF guides what children learn and how, while the NQS ensures the systems, environments and relationships are strong enough to deliver that learning consistently. When both are in place, children benefit from safe, nurturing settings where play leads to genuine growth — in identity, wellbeing, confidence, communication and curiosity.
Inclusion, Culture and Community
High-quality services reflect the children and families they serve. Under the National Quality Standard, inclusion is not optional: it’s central to quality. You should see cultures and languages represented meaningfully, support for additional needs, partnerships with specialists where required, and respectful acknowledgment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives. These practices help children feel seen and help communities flourish.
Practical Steps for Families
Before you tour
Check the service’s NQS rating and read any available summary. Note which Quality Areas were highlighted as strengths or as “working towards.”
During your vision
Observe interactions, safety practices and the overall tone of the environment. Ask educators to explain how play links to learning and how they support wellbeing.
After your visit
Ask to see the QIP or request examples of how feedback from families has led to improvements. Consider how the service’s approach aligns with your child and family.
National Quality Standard – FAQs
Q: What is the National Quality Standard?
A: The National Quality Standard is Australia’s benchmark for quality in early learning services. It covers seven areas, from the learning program and relationships to leadership and safety.
Q: How often are services assessed?
A: It varies by jurisdiction and context, but services are assessed periodically and may receive additional visits if required. Between visits, services keep improving through their Quality Improvement Plan.
Q: What do the ratings mean?
A: “Exceeding” indicates consistent practice above the standard; “Meeting” shows the service meets the standard; “Working Towards” means some elements need improvement; “Significant Improvement Required” indicates urgent change is needed.
Q: Is the “Excellent” rating part of the NQS?
A: “Excellent” is a national award that recognises exemplary practice beyond Exceeding. It’s granted by the national authority to eligible services; it isn’t a rating category applied to every service.
Q: Should I only choose Exceeding services?
A: Not necessarily. Ratings are a helpful guide, but fit matters too. Visit, ask questions and see how the service’s values and daily practice align with your child’s needs.
Q: What is a QIP and can I see it?
A: A Quality Improvement Plan outlines a service’s goals and strategies for improvement. Families can ask to view it; it’s an excellent window into the service’s priorities and progress.
Q: How do the NQS and EYLF work together?
A: The EYLF guides curriculum and pedagogy; the NQS ensures the conditions for quality (people, places, processes) are strong. Together, they support consistent, high-quality learning and care.
