WA says NO to changes to A&Rs (for now ...)

In the context of ACECQA's announcement about proposed changes to assessment and rating beginning in 2023, including the notification period to 1-5 days, ACA NSW has learned directly from Western Australia's regulatory authority (Early Childhood Regulatory Unit (ECRU)) that they will not be implementing those changes until further notice.

ACA NSW has shared this information with the NSW Department of Education and has asked for their consideration given sector-wide fatigue as well as labour shortages, that perhaps this change can also be deferred until further notice.

And in light of the upcoming NSW State Election (on 25 March 2023), ACA NSW has written to the NSW Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning (the Hon Sarah Mitchell MLC) and the NSW Shadow Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning (Prue Car MP) seeking their support for a similar deferral of ACECQA's proposed changes to assessment and rating.

ACA NSW's survey of NSW's early childhood education and care sector suggests that 77.9% were against ACECQA's proposed change of notification period for assessment and rating to 1-5 days.

The NSW Department of Education is currently consulting the NSW sector about the proposed changes to assessment and rating. This included ACA NSW's Inner Circle (in-person) event on 27 February 2023 and the NSW Department of Education's webinar on 7 March 2023. ACA NSW also appreciates this issue being discussed at ACA NSW's regional Hub Huddles too (thus far Coffs Harbour, Central Coast and next Wollongong).

PLEASE NOTE: On 29 June 2023, the WA Regulatory Authority advised ACA NSW that they will be introducing the 5 days' notification period change for future A&Rs beginning February 2024.

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

UPDATED: 29 JUNE 2023

PUBLISHED: 22 MARCH 2023