The pursuit of high-quality early childhood education is an ongoing journey for both educators and service leaders. To meet and exceed the National Quality Standard (NQS) set by the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), continuous professional development is key. This is where our specialised Early Childhood Professional Development Courses come in. Whether you’re looking to master ACECQA’s Exceeding Themes or learn how to create and implement a Quality Improvement Plan (QIP), or even just training in an interest area or compliance issue, our workshops are designed to equip you with the knowledge and practical skills needed to elevate your service and team to new heights.
Our learning design team have recently finished putting together two brand new training programs which can be delivered in person, or online. A brief overview can be found below:
All About The Exceeding Themes
A Deep Dive into ACECQA’s Exceeding Themes for NQS Excellence
As part of the National Quality Framework (NQF), the Exceeding Themes represent the gold standard in early childhood education and care. Understanding how to embed these themes into your daily practice is essential for services aiming to exceed ACECQA’s standards and deliver exceptional outcomes for children and families.
This workshop will take you through a comprehensive exploration of the three core Exceeding Themes and how they relate to the Quality Areas within the NQS. By the end of this course, you’ll be able to confidently apply these themes to your practice, improving your ability to exceed regulatory requirements and enhance overall service quality.
The Three Exceeding Themes:
- Theme 1: Practice is Embedded in Service Operations
This theme emphasizes the importance of embedding quality practice into the everyday operation of your service. It’s not about isolated moments of excellence—it’s about integrating best practices into your service policies, procedures, and daily routines. Learn how to foster a consistent approach that ensures quality care for all children. - Theme 2: Practice is Informed by Critical Reflection
Critical reflection is one of the most powerful tools in continuous improvement. In this theme, we focus on building a culture of reflection where educators regularly assess their practices, gather feedback, and implement meaningful changes. You’ll learn how to use self-assessment, peer reviews, and feedback mechanisms to drive professional development and service improvement. - Theme 3: Practice is Shaped by Meaningful Engagement
Effective engagement with children, families, and the community is foundational to providing high-quality care. This theme encourages you to build strong, respectful relationships with all stakeholders. You’ll discover strategies for fostering family partnerships, community involvement, and active listening to ensure that your service is responsive and reflective of the diverse needs of those you serve.
Key Takeaways from This Workshop:
- Practical strategies for embedding the Exceeding Themes into your service’s daily operations.
- Tools to effectively communicate the themes to your team, families, and ACECQA assessors.
- Techniques to foster a culture of critical reflection and meaningful engagement in your practice.
Whether you are looking to improve your service quality or gain a deeper understanding of the NQS, this workshop will provide you with the tools to transform your practice and confidently work within ACECQA’s Exceeding Themes.
The Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) Masterclass
Creating a Powerful Quality Improvement Plan to Drive Service Excellence
A Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) is more than just a requirement for ACECQA assessments—it’s a strategic tool for continuous improvement. In this hands-on workshop, you will gain a thorough understanding of how to develop a QIP that is not only compliant with the National Quality Standards but is also a living document that drives real change and aligns with the unique needs of your service.
The QIP is an essential tool for assessing your service’s strengths, setting targeted improvement goals, and ensuring ongoing progress. In this masterclass, you will dive deep into the key elements of a successful QIP and how to use it as a framework for sustained improvement.
What You Will Learn:
- Identifying Your Service’s Strengths and Areas for Improvement
Discover how to evaluate your service against the NQS, using data, feedback, and self-assessment to pinpoint both your strengths and areas for growth. You’ll also learn how to involve your team in the process to ensure that the QIP reflects collective input. - Setting SMART Goals for Continuous Improvement
Learn how to create SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) that are not only achievable but that also set your service on a clear path toward exceeding NQS requirements. - Documenting Evidence and Tracking Progress
Understanding how to collect and present evidence is critical to a successful QIP. In this course, we’ll guide you through best practices for gathering qualitative and quantitative data, including parent feedback, staff evaluations, and child outcomes. - Crafting Your Service’s Philosophy
Your service philosophy should reflect your values and vision for the children and families you serve. In this workshop, we will guide you through the process of developing a meaningful philosophy that informs your QIP and resonates with both your team and the wider community. - Practical Strategies for Ongoing Improvement
Learn how to implement and track continuous improvements, ensuring that your service remains responsive to evolving community needs and educational best practices. You’ll develop a continuous improvement framework to keep your QIP dynamic and relevant.
Key Takeaways from This Workshop:
- Step-by-step guidance on developing a Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) that meets and exceeds the NQS.
- Strategies for involving your whole team in the process, ensuring that your QIP is a shared responsibility and goal.
- Tools to ensure your QIP remains a living document that drives meaningful improvements in your service.
Who Should Attend:
This workshop is ideal for educators, service leaders, and early childhood professionals who are looking to strengthen their QIP and enhance their service’s quality. Whether you’re a director, coordinator, or team leader, this workshop will help you build a comprehensive plan that not only addresses compliance but also drives improvement and innovation.
Why Choose Our Professional Development Courses?
Comprehensive Learning
Both workshops provide in-depth learning that goes beyond theory, offering real-world strategies and actionable steps to apply immediately in your service.
Flexible Learning Options
Choose between online workshops for flexible learning or attend our in-person sessions for interactive, hands-on training with expert facilitators.
Expert-Led Courses
Learn from experienced educators and industry professionals who have a proven track record in early childhood education and care. Our facilitators bring practical knowledge, real-life examples, and up-to-date insights into the latest regulatory changes.
Actionable Strategies
Walk away with not only theoretical knowledge but practical tools and frameworks to implement changes and improvements within your service immediately.
Networking Opportunities
Engage with other early childhood professionals, share experiences, and build valuable connections that will help you as you continue your professional development journey.
Take the Next Step Towards Excellence in Early Childhood Education
Investing in professional development is one of the most effective ways to ensure that your service stays ahead of the curve. By attending our Exceeding Themes workshop and QIP Masterclass, you’re not just gaining knowledge—you’re setting your service up for sustained success and meaningful improvements.
Register today for one or both of our professional development courses and start your journey toward excellence in early childhood education. Take control of your service’s future and ensure that you exceed ACECQA’s standards with confidence.
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