Anticipating Spotchecks/Compliance Visits 2023

December 22nd, 2022 Uncategorised

The ACA NSW Quickies are only 2 hours or less and held throughout the year in face-to-face, live webinar and video-on-demand formats. They are for Approved Providers, Owners, Directors and Nominated Supervisors with industry-specific information, advice, tips and even “tricks”.


The topics to be covered in the 2023 ACA NSW Quickies – Anticipating Spotchecks/Compliance Visits are:


  • What are the top 10 breaches/non-compliances that Authorised Officers look for?
  • How can Approved Providers appropriately challenge allegations of breaches/non-compliances?
  • What type of breaches/non-compliances will attract fines?
  • How must staff engage with Authorised Officers during a spotcheck/compliance visit?
  • What must staff do (away from the Authorised Officers) during a spotcheck/compliance visit?
  • How can approved providers use a spotcheck/compliance visit to reinforce a Meeting or Exceeding rating at their next Assessment and Rating?

Part of the quality framework expected of all early childhood education and care services in NSW are the unscheduled spotchecks/compliance visits by Authorised Officers of the NSW Department of Education Early Childhood Directorate.


In addition to ensuring children are being cared for in safe environments, it is useful to know what else Authorised Officers will look for during these visits. Their reporting of (alleged) breaches by services is meant to be transparent and fair, but services are sometimes unclear whether this has occurred. Ideally approved providers will be able to anticipate issues well before these spotchecks/compliance visits, so that Authorised Officers will help to reinforce Meeting or Exceeding ratings at the service’s next Assessment & Rating.


This ACA NSW Quickies session is designed for Approved Providers and their staff who want to be prepared for any spotchecks/compliance visits, and better manage and influence the outcomes of allegations of breaches/non-compliances.


Alignment with National Quality Standards:

  • 1.1 – Program
  • 2.2 – Safety
  • 3.1 – Design
  • 3.2 – Use
  • 4.1 – Staffing
  • 7.1 – Governance
  • 7.2 – Leadership

The 2023 sessions are as follows:

Ticket Prices (not including EventBrite fees):

  • ACA NSW Members: $100 inc GST per person
  • Non-Members: $170 inc GST per person (or $150 inc GST per person for early birds up to 8 weeks prior)

Your Presenters:

Dr Brenda Abbey is a well-known early childhood education and care professional, and an Approved Provider with four services rated Meeting and Exceeding. In over 35 years of experience in the sector, she has operated as a Regulatory Authority Officer and consulted in the development of more than 70 centres. Her assistance is widely sought in all matters to do with compliance, and in optimising and improving the operations and business performance of childcare services. Brenda’s qualifications include Doctor of Philosophy (Education), Master of Education (Educational Administration), Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood), Diploma of Teaching (Early Childhood), and Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. She is also a highly experienced teacher, centre director, author and presenter.

Chiang Lim is the CEO of the Australian Childcare Alliance NSW. He brings over 20 years of professional industry advocacy, organisational and business administrator, political agitator, entrepreneur and solutions seeking. His experiences include not-for-profit industry associations, information technology, telecommunications, defence, national and international standards development, human rights, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), local governments, and early childhood education and care.

Other Benefits:

  • Live and interactive for all participants (face-to-face and on-line)
  • Video recording sent post-session with access to expire 3 months after
  • Handouts distributed before the start of the presentation
  • Certificate of Participation sent post-session (with references to relevant Quality Areas)
FAQs