Quality Childcare: What is it and Why is it Important?

What is quality childcare?

Choosing the right childcare service is a big decision for any family. Every parent wants a place where their child feels safe, supported, and inspired to learn. This is where high quality childcare comes into play!

When defining what quality childcare really is, the National Quality Standard (NQS) is a good indicator to help parents understand what high-quality care looks like. 

At Reggio Emilia, we’re passionate about creating an environment where children can thrive, and our approach aligns closely with these national standards. Let’s take a closer look at what makes a childcare service truly exceptional and how we go above and beyond to nurture young minds.

The National Quality Standard (NQS) in early childhood education

In early childhood education and care, every child deserves a nurturing, safe, and inspiring environment to learn and grow. This is why the NQS was created — to set a high benchmark for childcare services across Australia, ensuring our next generation receive the best possible start in life.

Every childcare, daycare, and outside school hours service in Australia is regularly assessed and rated against these quality standards. These ratings help families choose a service that provides a high standard of care and education for their little ones.

Now, let’s take a closer look at what makes a childcare service truly exceptional!

Learning program

In Quality Area 1 of the NQS, a great importance is placed on the relevance and quality of early learning programs. High quality childcare programs and practice must be stimulating and engaging, enhancing early childhood development.

A well-designed and executed learning program nurtures the development of core life skills and supports a child’s experiences, opportunities, and relationships. At Reggio Emilia, our vibrant early learning program is designed to achieve exactly this!

Our high quality program is not set in stone. Rather, it is flexible, catering to the needs of each and every child. We also value input from our families, community, and children themselves. Educators work closely with everyone involved in a child’s early learning journey to create an inspiring learning program for all involved.

Our program is also enhanced by extracurricular activities we refer to as the Reggio 5. These engaging activities are as follows:

• Earth to Kitchen.
• Music and Sound.
• Fitness and Mindfulness.
• Language and Culture.
• Dance and Beats.

These extracurricular activities aim to nurture each child’s curiosity and creativity, while also targeting the 5 developmental learning outcomes during their time with us. 

Health, safety, and nutrition

Quality Area 2 of the NQS places great importance on health and safety. Diligently and consistently adhering to health and safety protocols make sure that children are protected and comfortable. Such efforts work to minimise risks and prioritise wellbeing.

The importance of wholesome and nutritious meals can never be understated. Although the majority of childcare services provide regular meals for the children in their care, not all pay close attention to the types of food and ingredients used.

Nutritious foods fuel growing bodies and curious minds, providing the energy and essential nutrients to explore, learn, and play. At Reggio Emilia early learning centres, all meals are prepared daily by a qualified chef. Our gourmet menu is designed to provide a variety of different foods throughout the week, catering to all food groups and dietary requirements.

We also encourage children to get involved in their healthy eating journey. Planting seeds, harvesting fresh produce from our garden, and cooking delicious meals together exposes children to the importance of nutrition and caring for their bodies.

Such activities are embedded in our curriculum through our nourishing Earth to Kitchen program. Fueled by their own curiosities and interests, our children explore topics of sustainability, healthy eating habits, and cultural diversity in a fun and engaging environment.

The environment

A safe and clean early learning environment is non-negotiable in childcare. However, high quality childcare providers venture beyond the basics, creating an environment that is carefully designed to be intellectually stimulating and highly engaging. This is evident in Quality Area 3 of the NQS.

At Reggio Emilia, a great emphasis is placed on the environment in which children learn and grow in. Known as the “Third Educator”, it is a powerful tool for learning, creativity, and positive interactions. Each of our early learning centres is thoughtfully designed — from colour palettes to intricate designs, and a balance of natural and man-made resources.

Our commitment to quality early childhood education goes beyond traditional approaches. We believe that a child’s surroundings contribute significantly to their holistic development. By immersing children in an enriching space, we transform our centres into places where learning becomes an exciting journey filled with discovery and exploration.

Educators

When exploring what truly defines quality early childhood education and care, the team of educators and educator-to-child ratios are determining factors. This is outlined in Quality Area 4 of the NQS.

Well-trained, passionate, and qualified staff set the foundation for a meaningful early learning journey. When searching for a quality childcare service, look for educators with extensive training and special education. This ensures that educators are equipped with the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience to administer quality education and care for your child.

On the other hand, favourable educator-to-child ratios are important in the delivery of high quality childcare services. These ratios create opportunities for individual attention and overall care, ensuring every child receives the support they need for a meaningful learning journey. It also enhances children’s safety.

Communication

Quality Area 6 of the NQS reminds childcare providers that meaningful and respectful relationships with parents contribute to positive outcomes for all children. 

A partnership forms when educators maintain transparent communication with families about their child’s experiences, progress, and challenges. By working together, parents and educators can develop a better understanding of a child and nurture their curiosities. This works to enhance the quality of a childcare service.

At Reggio Emilia, this partnership is not just between the educator and parents, but also extends to include the child and the wider community. These relationships foster collaboration that propels the child’s development forward, providing a platform for addressing concerns, celebrating milestones, and planning meaningful learning experiences.

In a similar sense, childcare offers a supportive environment where children can build their own positive relationships. This is emphasised in Quality Area 5 of the NQS. As children interact with other children, educators, and community, a sense of belonging and emotional security is instilled. 

Children are given rich opportunities to build their social skills, literacy skills, and other essential skills that will last throughout early childhood as well as later in life. These relationships and important life skills learnt are another aspect of high quality childcare.

Leadership

Quality Area 7 of the NQS stresses the importance of effective leadership in a childcare setting, enabling a service to operate efficiently and ethically. It also focuses on the significance of having a philosophy that guides all aspects of your operations.

The Reggio Emilia philosophy is at the core of everything we do. Our approach to early learning is unique as it puts children at the forefront, encouraging them to pursue their unique and individual interests. Our learning program is not fixed, but rather flexible, catering to the needs and curiosities of each child.

Our philosophy also places great emphasis on family connection and community involvement. After all, it takes a village to raise a child! In this way, the Reggio Emilia Approach fosters a dynamic and interactive learning experience where children actively contribute to shaping the curriculum.

Quality rating

Another good indication of high quality childcare is how an organisation commits to growth and continuous improvement. After all, the journey towards excellence is ongoing, underpinned by assessment and rating.

All Reggio Emilia early learning centres have been consistently rated as meeting the NQS. This means that standards in relation to the seven key quality areas have been met and maintained throughout our day-to-day operations.

But it doesn’t stop here — we also have a strong commitment to continuous improvement that is embodied by our educators and leadership team. We are always reviewing our processes and resources to identify areas that we can improve and work towards even better outcomes for our children and families. 

Finding a quality childcare service

High quality childcare is all about building a warm, engaging, and supportive space where children can grow, explore, and develop a lifelong love of learning!

At Reggio Emilia, we consistently meet national standards of quality early childhood education and care, ensuring that every child receives the best possible start. With caring educators, enriching learning programs, and strong family partnerships, we’re here to support your child’s journey every step of the way. 

To learn more about our services, we encourage you to book a tour at your local Reggio Emilia early learning centre. You can also reach out to us on 1300 330 666 or email us at mail@reggioemilia.com.au to speak with our friendly team.