Report on Government Services 2021 - Early Childhood Education & Care

Part B of the Report on Government Services 2021 (ROGS report) was published today. Section 3 deals with early childhood education and care. The ROGS report is an annual report produced by the Productivity Commission comparing the performance of State and Territory governments in the delivery of a wide range of services.

In relation to childcare, some interesting information is revealed in the report in relation to compliance. It should be noted that some of the reported data may have been affected by COVID restrictions.

 

Confirmed Breaches

The jurisdictions with the highest number of confirmed breaches of the NQF per 100 services (in 2019-20) were: NSW (245.2), Northern Territory (195.5), and Victoria (144.5). The lowest was South Australia (33.8) The report indicates these figures are not comparable between jurisdictions due to differences in administrative and reporting procedures.

Nationally, there were 156.1  confirmed breaches per 100 services (up from last year's 132.4). The highest rates were for family day care (690.5  breaches per 100 services, up significantly from 292.3 last year) and centre based day care (182.3 breaches per 100 services, up from 158.8 last year).

The report did not publish data on compliance action taken by Regulatory Authorities this year "due to data quality concerns arising from a recent change to the NQA ITS".

Serious Incidents

The jurisdictions with the highest number of serious incidents reported (as defined in regulation 12 of the National Regulations) per 100 services (in 2019-20) were: ACT (176.5); South Australia (112) and Tasmania (111.5)  The lowest was Victoria (86.6).

Nationally, the total number of serious incidents grew again. There were 103.3 serious incidents per 100 NQF services with a total of 16,632 serious incidents having occurred. 13,077 of these incidents related to child injury, trauma or illness. These figures up up again from last year when the figures were 101.7 serious incidents per 100 NQF service and 16,185 serious incidents.

 

Cairns Childcare Worker Cleared of Manslaughter of Child Left on Bus

ABC News carried a report on this case. The bus driver involved is yet to stand trial for manslaughter in the Queensland Supreme Court. 7 News also carried a report.

Investigation Launched After Toddler Allegedly Found in Storeroom at NSW Childcare Centre

7 News reported on this incident at the Dinky Di Child Care Centre, on the NSW Central Coast.

Concern Over the Quality of Childcare due to Staff Shortages

The Weekend Australian has carried a report on the number of staff waivers being grated to education and care services.

Child Left Queensland Childcare Service by Scaling Fence

The Daily Mail Australia has reported on an incident of a child leaving the Petit Early Learning Journey Centre in Caloundra by scaling a fence and walking to a nearby park where he was found by two educators from a nearby centre.

2020 NQF Annual Performance Report

ACECQA has recently published its NQF Annual Performance Report. It continues to see compliance issues particularly related to the health and safety of children. I have written previously on the question of compliance for The Sector website.

This year's Report continues to show a continuation of the trend of increasing non-compliance despite the disruptions due to the pandemic. According to the Report, the rate of serious incidents and confirmed breaches increased in 2019/20. In relation to serious incidents, which are incidents required to be reported by approved providers, in 2019/20, there was a rate of 103 serious incidents per 100 approved services, compared to a rate of 102 in 2018/19, 98 in 2017/18, and 99 in 2016/17. Incidents involving injury, trauma or illness continue to account for around 80% of all reported serious incidents. In relation to confirmed breaches of the National Law and Regulations, in 2019/20, there was a rate of 156 confirmed breaches per 100 approved services, compared to a rate of 132 in 2018/19, 126 in 2017/18, and 98 in 2016/17. Worryingly, almost half of breaches of the National Law related to section 165 (inadequate supervision) and section 167 (protection from harm and hazard). An indication that there are ongoing health and safety issues in education and care services is indicated by the Report's observation, in relation to the NQS, that (p.21):

...Standard 2.1 (Health) and 2.2 (Safety) continue to be more challenging than most other standards of the NQS.

As at 30 June 2020, 89% of services are rated Meeting NQS or above for Standard 2.2 and 90% for Standard 2.1, making them the third and fifth most challenging of the 15 standards.

In addition to being comparatively challenging to meet, the two standards have the lowest numbers of services rated Exceeding NQS.

 The Sector website also published an article on the Report.

Hot Weather Risks for Childcare Services

A number of Regulatory Authorities (under the National Law) have issued information and advice to services about Summer weather risks. The NSW Department of Education have a web page about hot weather risks for children. The Queensland Department of Education have recently published advice on staying safe during Summer.

Seasons Greetings

Thanks to all subscribers for your interest in the blog over the past year. All the best for the New Year!

 

Update of Approved Learning Frameworks under the National Law

The Education Council has commissioned an update of the two national approved learning frameworks under the National Quality Framework. The stakeholder feedback and engagement process is to commence from mid-2021. The terms of reference, including the timeline for the review, can be found on the Education Council website. More information is also available from the ACECQA website.

Consultation Regulatory Impact Statement on Streamling Early Childhood Education and Care Approval Processes

Following consultations over the last four years, the Commonwealth Department of Education, Skills and Employment has released a Consultation Regulation Impact Statement exploring and discussing options for streamlining the Early Childhood Education and Care approval processes across jurisdictions. Submissions close on 8 January 2021. Further information is available from the ACECQA website. The Sector website also published an article on release of the paper.

How Early Childhood Education and Care Services Can Plan and Prepare for Bushfires

The NSW Department of Education (NSW Regulatory Authority under the National Law) has recently updated its advice on this issue.

NSW South Coast Childcare Worker Accused of Sexual Assault Gets Bail

 ABC Online today carried an article on this case.