Exceeding the National Quality Standards: how the ESB determines exceeding themes

Throughout the engagements undertaken by the Acting Registrar, there has been discussion and questions about Exceeding the National Quality Standards (NQS). In May 2024, the ESB delivered, in partnership with the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), a range of Exceeding Theme Workshops and published a video recording of one of our workshops. 

When the ESB’s Regulatory Officers assess and rate services, they do so using the seven quality areas, 15 standards and 40 elements that make up the NQS.

To determine if a service is Exceeding the NQS, Regulatory Officers ask themselves the questions used by authorised officers to establish Exceeding NQS practice. These questions are asked, against the three exceeding themes, once they have gathered all of their evidence following an assessment and rating visit. 

Exceeding NQS practice is embedded in service operations, informed by critical reflection and shaped by meaningful engagement with families and/or the community. 

To further support services in understanding what exceeding looks like, there are resources to explore:

• In the Guide to the National Quality Framework at the end of each Standard, there are questions for services to ask of their own practice to consider whether their service exceeds the NQS. For example, Exceeding guidance for Standard 1.1. 
• ACECQA has also developed a series of case studies within each quality area. 

Exceeding the NQS is about going above and beyond what is expected at the Meeting NQS level. This is done by embedding exceeding practice into your service throughout the year. All of the information you need to help you understand and achieve an exceeding rating is available on ACECQA’s website. 

If you have any questions about exceeding themes or questions, please contact the ESB on 1800 882 413.