An important step in achieving an Exceeding National Quality Standard (NQS) rating is understanding what quality looks like.
The Exceeding themes have been introduced to help services and staff improve their quality rating and focus on continuous improvement. For a service to be rated Exceeding NQS the following three themes must be demonstrated:
- practice is embedded in service operations
- practice is informed by critical reflection
- practice is shaped by meaningful engagement with families and/or the community.
Once staff understand the standards and features of the NQS, they can then focus on Exceeding themes in their everyday practices.
What does this actually look like?
The National Quality Standard and Assessment and Rating chapter of the Guide to the NQF contains a list of indicators for each standard of the NQS.
The following table shows the difference between Working, Meeting and Exceeding NQS, and how achieving all three of the Exceeding themes (above) will make the difference between Meeting and Exceeding NQS.
| Working Towards NQS | Meeting NQS | Exceeding NQS |
| One or more elements of the standard are not met. | All elements of the standard are met. Service practice does not reflect all three Exceeding themes. | All elements of the standard are met. Service practice reflects all three Exceeding themes. |
What are the things to keep in mind when implementing the Exceeding themes?
When it comes to embedded practice:
- Does the NQS inform our practice?
- How does our philosophy and values drive the work that we do?
- Are we intentional in applying our practice?
- Are we consistent across all areas of the service?
- Do we foster an environment which enables continuity and predictability for all children?
- Is quality an 'always on' activity, or do we only excel under certain conditions?
When it comes to critical reflection:
- What can be improved at our service?
- What opportunities are there for staff to learn skills of benefit to the education and care within the service?
- Are our processes effective?
- Are there gaps in our policy and processes?
- Have conversations about why you're operating the way that you are
- Critical reflection isn't always a comfortable process, be respectful and trustful of your team
- Are we open to continuous improvement? Do we discuss opportunities regularly?
When it comes to meaningful engagement:
- How diverse is our community, and how can we engage with them? Are we welcoming diversity into our service?
- What cultural learning opportunities are available within our community?
- Do we have effective communication channels with our families/community?
- Listen to and seek out the hopes, expectations and concerns within your community
- How are you creating an environment of belonging for both the children and the families within your community?
- Does our program/policy/practice suit the environmental context and location of our service?
- Are we including the community in our major decision making processes?
For more information see the New Guidance on determining Exceeding NQS for Standards or watch the Exceeding NQS Theme Guidance video. There is also a fun Quest for Quality: Exceeding Extension pack.