How often are services assessed?

Most services are assessed every 3 to 5 years, but timing can vary. Services with lower ratings may be reassessed sooner, while those rated “Exceeding” may go longer between assessments.

Can parents access the full report?

Yes. Services must display their current rating, and families can access reports through Starting Blocks or by asking the provider directly.

Does an NQS rating affect fees?

No, ratings don’t directly set fees. However, higher-rated services may be in greater demand, which can influence waiting lists and enrolment availability.

National Quality Framework

The National Quality Framework (NQF) sets Australia’s benchmark for early childhood education and care, ensuring that services deliver consistent, high-quality programs for children from birth to school age. It gives families clarity and confidence — helping parents in Wollongong and the Illawarra region understand what quality care looks like and how to choose a service they can trust.

This guide answers the following questions:

What is the National Quality Framework?

Why does the NQF matter?

What are the NQF ratings in Wollongong?

How do the NQF and NQS work together?

What is the National Quality Framework?

The National Quality Framework is Australia’s national system for regulating and assessing early learning services, including long day care, family day care, preschools, and outside school hours care. Introduced in 2012, it aims to lift the quality of education and care, drive continuous improvement, and provide families with transparent information about service performance.

Key Components of the NQF

National Law & Regulations – Provide the legal foundation and operational requirements for services.
National Quality Standard (NQS) – Sets the benchmark for quality across seven areas.
Assessment & Rating Process – A system where services are assessed and given a public rating.
Approved Learning Frameworks – Such as the EYLF and MTOP, guiding curriculum and daily learning.
ACECQA – The national authority that supports and oversees NQF implementation.

Why the NQF Matters to You

Understanding the NQF helps families compare services with confidence. Ratings make it easier to ask informed questions, understand strengths, and identify areas for improvement. With clear standards for safety, learning programs, environments, and educator qualifications, parents can make decisions that support their child’s wellbeing and development.

Choosing a Service Under the NQF

When choosing a childcare service, the National Quality Framework can be a helpful tool for comparing options and asking meaningful questions. Here are some practical ways to use NQF information during your search:

Check the NQS rating on official government websites such as StartingBlocks.gov.au, or request it directly from the service.
Look at the assessment date — recent ratings provide the most accurate picture of current practice and quality.
Review performance across each quality area — a service mayexcel in Educational Program and Practice while still developing improvements in another area.
Consider the commitment to improvement — even services rated Working Towards can provide excellent care if they are actively addressing recommendations and demonstrating progress.

Recent & Upcoming Updates

In 2025, several important reforms to the National Quality Framework took effect, strengthening protections and transparency for children and families. From 1 September 2025, new regulations require early learning services to:

Report any allegation, complaint or incident of physical or sexual abuse to the regulatory authority within 24 hours (down from the previous seven-day window).
Implement policies and procedures governing the safe use of digital technologies — including photography, video, service-issued devices, and supervision of children’s device use.
Prohibit vaping devices and substances in education and care environments, aligning with broader health and safety expectations.

Looking ahead, further changes will come into effect on 1 January 2026, including amendments to the National Quality Standard (NQS) that embed child safety more explicitly:

Under Quality Area 2 (Children’s Health & Safety), Element 2.2.3 will be renamed Child Safety and Protection, emphasising educators’ roles in identifying or responding when children are at risk.
Under Quality Area 7 (Governance & Leadership), leadership systems will be required to show that services are child-safe by design, not just in theory.

These updates reflect a national commitment to raise the bar for children’s safety, wellbeing and quality of care. Services in Wollongong and across Australia are implementing them now and preparing for the next phase.

NQF Overview

Component	What It Does
National Law & Regulations	Establishes the legal framework and operational rules that all approved services must follow.
National Quality Standard (NQS)	Sets the national benchmark for quality, organised into seven key quality areas.
Assessment & Rating	Reviews and rates services, publishing results so families can compare performance.
Approved Learning Frameworks	Shape educational programs and daily learning, guiding how educators plan and support children’s development.
ACECQA & Regulatory Authorities	Oversee, monitor, and support quality and compliance across states and territories.

National Quality Framework Ratings in Wollongong

Service Type	Examples in Wollongong	Typical NQF Rating*
Long Day Care & Preschools	Centres across Wollongong CBD, Fairy Meadow, Figtree, Corrimal & Dapto	Meeting NQS / Exceeding NQS
Family Day Care	Home-based educators registered with local or NSW schemes	Meeting NQS
Outside School Hours Care (OSHC)	Services linked to primary schools across the Illawarra	Meeting NQS (some Exceeding in partnerships with families)
Community Preschools	Standalone and not-for-profit services in areas such as Port Kembla & Towradgi	Often Exceeding NQS in educational programs & practice

Note: Ratings vary by provider. Always check the most recent report on StartingBlocks.gov.au for up-to-date results.

How the National Quality Framework and National Quality Standard Work Together

Parents often hear both the National Quality Framework (NQF) and the National Quality Standard (NQS) mentioned when researching childcare. While they are closely connected, each has a different role:

Aspect	National Quality Framework (NQF)	National Quality Standard (NQS)
What it is	The national system that governs early childhood education and care in Australia.	The benchmark within the NQF that sets quality expectations across seven areas.
Focus	Law, regulations, learning frameworks, assessment & rating, and ACECQA oversight.	Practical quality measures for services, including programs, safety, relationships, and governance.
For Parents	Explains the legal and regulatory foundation of childcare services.	Provides clear quality ratings (e.g., Exceeding, Meeting, Working Towards) to help compare services.

Together, the NQF and NQS ensure that all childcare in Wollongong and across Australia is held to consistent national standards. To learn more about the seven quality areas, visit our National Quality Standard page.

Why the NQS Matters for Parents

Helps families compare services based on quality, not just location or fees.
Gives transparency into safety, learning programs, and educator standards.
Supports informed choices between care types.
Encourages ongoing improvement across the entire sector.

Frequently Asked Questions about the National Quality Framework

Q: Who administers the NQF?
A: The NQF is administered by state and territory regulatory authorities who assess and rate services. ACECQA provides national oversight and guidance to ensure consistency across Australia.

Q: What does it mean if a service is rated “Exceeding” or “Excellent”?
A: “Exceeding” means the service performs above the national standard. Services that consistently show excellence across all seven areas can apply for an “Excellent” rating, awarded by ACECQA.

Q: Does the NQF apply to all childcare types?
A: Yes. The NQF covers long day care, family day care, preschool/kindergarten (in most states), and outside school hours care.