Early Childhood Learning

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National Quality Agenda

Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Quality Reforms

As part of a range of reform work being undertaken in the areas of education, skills and early childhood development, the Commonwealth Government and State and Territory Governments, through the Council of Australian Governments (COAG), have committed to developing a rigorous National Quality Agenda.

The National Quality Agenda is intended to raise the quality of and drive continuous improvement in early childhood education and care services including preschools. It has four key components:

  • a strong National Quality Standard;
  • enhanced regulatory arrangements;
  • a quality rating system; and
  • a national Early Years Learning Framework.

These reforms in early childhood education and care are aimed at achieving:

  • positive outcomes for children associated with high quality care;
  • support for workforce participation;
  • and to help ensure families have the information they require to make informed choices about the education and care needs for their child.

Further Information about the National Quality Agenda is available from the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations