Vickids Early Learning

Standard

The National Quality Standard

Every long day care centre, kindergarten, family day care and outside school hours care service in Australia is assessed against the same standard and given a public rating. Here is how to read it.

The seven quality areas

1. Educational program and practice

A planned, play-based program built on each child's interests and the learning frameworks.

2. Children's health and safety

Hygiene, nutrition, rest, supervision and protecting children from harm.

3. Physical environment

Safe, well-kept spaces indoors and out that invite play and exploration.

4. Staffing arrangements

Enough qualified educators, and a team that works well together.

5. Relationships with children

Warm, respectful relationships, and children learning to get along.

6. Partnerships with families and communities

Families are welcomed, informed and involved.

7. Governance and leadership

Good management, clear policies and a culture of improvement.

The five ratings

  1. Excellent

    The highest rating, awarded by ACECQA to services that are rated Exceeding in every quality area, apply for it and show outstanding practice.

  2. Exceeding NQS

    Goes beyond the standard in one or more areas.

  3. Meeting NQS

    Provides quality care and learning across all seven areas.

  4. Working Towards NQS

    Meets most of the standard, with some areas to improve.

  5. Significant Improvement Required

    Serious concerns. The regulator works closely with the service to fix them quickly.

Reading a rating

  • Check the date. A rating reflects the service on the day it was assessed, which may be some years ago.
  • Look at each area. A service can be Meeting overall but Exceeding in the areas you care about most.
  • New services may be unrated. A service that has just opened is listed as Provisional until its first assessment.
  • Ask to see it. Services must display their rating, and since 2026 their compliance history as well.

A rating is a starting point. Visiting the service, watching how educators talk with children and asking your questions will tell you even more. See questions to ask a centre.