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Current Issues on NOSHSA's Agenda
- School Age Care Framework
- Child Care Management System (CCMS)
- Quality Assurance
- Children with Additional Needs
- National Qualifications for OSHC
- Status of OSHC Professionals
“MY TIME. OUR PLACE”
DRAFT SCHOOL AGE CARE FRAMEWORK RELEASED
It is an exciting time for the school age care sector in Australia. Governments are developing a national school age care framework. Titled “My Time, Our Place” the framework articulates outcomes for children attending a quality school age care service and suggests the type of experiences that are offered to achieve these outcomes. The framework for school age care will articulate the work of the school age care educator and the value of that work in the community. Thus the very nature of the framework will provide an opportunity to raise the status and profile of the profession and emphasise the critical importance of the often forgotten “middle years”. It will acknowledge and give the school age care sector professional status and recognition that is long overdue.
The draft framework is now released for reading and reflection. DEEWR will be conducting consultations on the document later in the year.
Download the DRAFT framework >>
Download the Facilitated Discussion Paper >>
Go to Framework Discussion Forum >>
Questions and Answers
Why do we need a framework?
For the first time in Australia, governments will publicly acknowledge through the existence of this framework three very important facts:
- Quality school age care enhances children’s development.
- Engaging in play and leisure experiences are important for school age children – a time for fun, friends and learning.
- Staff in school age care are influential educators in children’s lives. The very nature of the framework will provide an opportunity to raise the status and profile of the profession and emphasise the critical importance of the often forgotten “middle years”. It will acknowledge and give the school age care sector professional status and recognition that is long overdue.
Where does this framework fit into the new Quality System?
This framework has been incorporated into the new National Quality Standard for Early Childhood Education and Care that will replace the current QA system in January 2012. Specifically, the framework will come under Quality Area 1 “Educational program and practice” in the new national quality system. Service programs will be evaluated to ensure they reflect the outcomes in the school age care framework
When will the new framework come into effect?
It is expected that the framework will be released in early 2011. Requirement to use the document will be timed with the release of the National Quality Standard in January 2012.
Why is there an emphasis on play and learning in the document?
The framework will openly acknowledge that when children play learning takes place. It is anticipated that the framework will raise the profile of play in the community. Play spaces, such as those found in Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) services are rich learning environments. This new framework will acknowledge that the play opportunities and range of experiences that happen in school age care are all learning opportunities fundamentally important to the development of children.
Why are school age care staff referred to as educators in the framework?
Under the Early Years Learning Framework all staff regardless of qualifications are referred to as ‘educators as they facilitate children’s learning through play. In order to lift the status of child care workers working with children of all ages, it has been considered that ‘educator’ more accurately reflects the important work undertaken, whether this be through formal or informal learning activities.
A good article from a Canadian team of authors about the use of the term educator can be downloaded here >>
I have children using the service who are under 5 years do I need to follow the Early Years framework Belonging, Being, Becoming” also?
The school age care framework has been designed to build on the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) (designed for children from birth to 5yrs) with common principals, practice and outcomes. This will ensure a seamless transition for children from early childhood to school age care services. Programs for school age children in school age care services will follow the “My Time, Our Place” framework.
Is this the final draft of the framework?
No. This copy is out for consultation and feedback. DEEWR will be seeking your feedback on the document at consultations yet to be announced. This website and your own state/ territory association will alert you to the consultations as soon as they are announced.
How can I have questions answered and discuss this document before the consultation?
NOSHSA will soon be hosting a moderated discussion page for the framework on this website or you can email us directly on noshsa@noshsa.org.au. In addition join your state or territory association where it will be on the meeting agenda.
Do you have more questions you want to see answered?
Email to NOSHSA at noshsa@noshsa.org.au. We will endeavour to answer them for you.
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What is the Child Care Management System?
The Child Care Management System (CCMS) is a national child care system that will bring all approved child care services online. Services will use their CCMS registered software to record child, enrolment and attendance information. Services will report this data to the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) via the internet to allow calculation and payment of Child Care Benefit (CCB) fee reductions on behalf of children in their service.
CCMS is currently being rolled out to all Long Day Care and Family Day Care services with live payments of CCB to a small number of services starting successfully from 4 February 2008. CCMS will be progressively rolled out to all other services (including OSHC services) during 2008. Under legislation, all services must be operating under CCMS by 30 June 2009.
When will services be advised of their transfer date?
DEEWR will write to you about 60 days prior to the proposed transfer date.
If the proposed date does not suit you, contact the Department to negotiate an agreed date.
30 days before the agreed transfer date you will receive another letter from the Department. This letter advises you that a decision has been made on the date of transfer and that you must be ready to transfer to CCMS on this date.
Where to find out more information about CCMS
Child care services can visit the CCMS website at www.fahcsia.gov.au/childcare which contains information on CCMS including answers to frequently asked questions, copies of Special Edition Child Care News, Helpdesk contact details and the new CCMS Handbook.
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What is Quality Assurance?
- See NCAC website for information.
Review of Quality Assurance System
Update on the QA Standards - A message from NCAC
Throughout 2007, NCAC and the Australian Government were working towards integrating the Child Care Quality Assurance (CCQA) systems. Many child care professionals contributed to the consultation process or provided feedback which was greatly appreciated. It is understandable that some services may be wondering when the final version of the draft standards will be implemented. However, until further information is known, it is important that outside school hours care services continue to use to the standards outlined in the Outside School Hours Care Quality Assurance (OSHCQA) Quality Practices Guide. The OSHCQA standards help to ensure that children and families are provided with consistent quality child care experiences and this should continue to be the focus when services are working through CCQA. The following strategies may help services during the self-study process or when reflecting on current practice:
- Refer to NCAC's resources which include Support Documents, Factsheets and Policy Templates.
- Read the OSHCQA Quality Trends Report (1 July- 31 December 2007), which may assist to identify areas for further improvement.
- Contact a NCAC Endorsed QA Trainer who can guide services working through the Five Steps.
- Contact a Professional Support Coordinator for support and training opportunities.
As information about changes to the CCQA systems becomes known NCAC will advise all services. For further information telephone a NCAC Child Care Adviser on 1300 136 554. NCAC's resources, reports and templates are available to download from the NCAC website (www.ncac.gov.au).
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Children with Additional Needs
National Qualifications for OSHC