Considerations for Assessments and Ratings while experiencing labour shortages

ACA NSW has formally asked the NSW Department of Education for their consideration as they appear to be increasing the number of assessments and ratings as we "live with COVID".

While facing:

• labour shortages due to the effects of COVID;
  
• fatigue from COVID (especially as the early childhood education and care sector was regarded an essential/authorised/critical);
• (perceived/actual) inability to receive temporary waivers for educator:children ratios and qualifications:children ratios; as well as
  
• structural supply problems to recruit skilled staff members
  

... there appears to be anecdotal evidence that early childhood education and care services across NSW are being pragmatic about their quality ratings.

Mindful of the abovementioned, a number of services appear to be adopting a preference toward "just" Meeting the National Quality Standards.

Click image above or here to download the comparison table

It should be noted that according to ACECQA, the number of completed assessments and ratings in NSW during the first quarter of 2022 is significantly lower than the same period before the COVID pandemic (ie 34 services versus 246 services respectively),

Nevertheless, the anecdotal evidence of (just) "striving for Meeting the NQS" may appear to ring true.

ACA NSW will continue to engage with the NSW Department of Education with respect to assessments and ratings, especially with the view of receiving as much understanding and accommodation as possible from Authorised Officers in light of the challenges that services and their staff are facing. 

For any further information/clarification, members can contact the ACA NSW team via 1300 556 330 or nsw@childcarealliance.org.au.

PUBLISHED: 19 APRIL 2022