National Quality Framework
The National Quality Framework has been designed to encourage continuous improvement of education and care services across Australia. One of its important features is that it sets out a series of National Quality Standards (NQS) against which all early childhood education and care services will be assessed and given a rating.

The seven quality areas are:

• Educational program and practice
• Children’s health and safety
• The physical environment
• Staffing arrangements
• Relationships with children
• Collaborative partnerships with families and communities
• Leadership and service management

Green Kids Early learning’s requirements, policies and procedures are developed using these seven quality areas. You can find more information about the NQF and NQS at http://acecqa.gov.au.

All Early Childhood Education and Care Services are required to have policies and related documents in relation to certain matters under Regulation 168 of the Education and Care Services National Regulations.

NQS 1 – Educational Programme and Practice
At Green Kids Early Learning, our educational programme is centered around play and tailored to each child’s needs, fostering their learning, development, and well-being.

We prioritise key educator relationships and small group settings to support the effectiveness of our educational programmes. These practices foster strong connections and enable educators to gain a deeper insight into children’s interests and motivations, thus allowing for more targeted planning of their learning experiences.

Our curriculum and pedagogical approach at Green Kids Early Learning are guided by an approved learning framework, namely the Early Years Learning Framework, ensuring a consistent and high-quality educational experience for every child.

Children are respected as active participants and decision-makers in their own learning journey. They are encouraged to have a say in shaping the direction of their learning, development, and well-being.

Our policies at Green Kids Early Learning in this domain encompass:

• Providing children with an inquiry-oriented, play-based educational programme that is tailored to individual and group needs, informed by educators’ comprehensive understanding of each child
• Using evidence-informed practices to facilitate and extend children’s learning experiences through purposeful interactions, responsive to their emerging interests
• Adopting a planned and reflective approach to programme implementation, engaging in ongoing critical reflection to continuously improve our educational offerings in collaboration with families
• Ensuring transparency by making the educational programme and documentation on children’s progress readily accessible to families

At Green Kids Early Learning, we are committed to providing a nurturing environment where children thrive and actively engage in their learning journey.

NQS 2 – Children’s Health and Safety
At Green Kids, we believe that every child deserves a safe and nurturing environment where they can receive quality education and care. We are dedicated to meeting the health and safety needs of each child under our care through attentive supervision, safe activities and surroundings, and thorough emergency preparedness.

Our commitment extends to addressing individual health and comfort needs, promoting good hygiene practices, and managing injuries and illnesses effectively. We prioritise the well-being of every child, ensuring they feel secure and supported throughout their time with us.

Key Green Kids Policies in this Area Cover the Following Topics:

Administering Medication to Children

Ensuring your child’s safety during medication administration is paramount at Green Kids. We request that you familiarise yourself with our medication administration guidelines, which detail storage, authorisation, dispensing, and disposal protocols for both prescription and over-the-counter medications.

Management of Medical Conditions (including Allergies, Anaphylaxis, Asthma, Diabetes, and Epilepsy)
At Green Kids, we prioritise the safe and effective management of children with medical conditions. Our comprehensive requirements encompass training, risk mitigation strategies, and collaborative planning between educators, families, and medical professionals. Individualised medical management plans are meticulously developed, implemented, and regularly reviewed to support the health and safety of children.

Safeguarding Children
Ensuring the safety and well-being of all children is a top priority at Green Kids. We are committed to preventing, identifying, and responding to any instances of child abuse, neglect, or harm. Guided by our ‘look, do, tell’ framework, we empower children and amplify their voices, fostering a sense of well-being, optimism, and confidence crucial for their learning and development.

Child-Safe Environment
Creating a safe and nurturing environment is foundational to Green Kids. We prioritize the physical, psychological, and online safety of children, families, and staff, fostering cultural safety and promoting well-being. Our approach includes playful, intentional teaching, active supervision, warm relationships, and inclusive learning environments.

Excursions
Green Kids adheres to detailed planning procedures to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of children during excursions. We provide families with relevant information to help them make informed decisions regarding their child’s participation in such events.

Food and Nutrition
We are committed to promoting good dental hygiene, nutrition, and allergy management at Green Kids. Our food preparation areas comply with relevant standards, and menus are developed considering nutritional, dietary, allergy, and cultural requirements.

Incident Management
In the event of accidents or injuries involving children, Green Kids follows recommended health and safety protocols. All incidents are documented, investigated, and communicated to families promptly. We ensure that children receive appropriate care, including medical treatment if necessary.

Infectious Disease Control and Unwell Children
Green Kids prioritises the quick and effective response to suspected or confirmed infectious diseases. We collaborate with families, health authorities, and medical professionals to safeguard the well-being of all individuals at the center.

Milk Feeding
We accommodate children’s dietary requirements and feeding schedules at Green Kids. Parents are encouraged to provide expressed breast milk, cow’s milk, or formula in labeled bottles or sippy cups.

Sun Safety and Heat Stress
We promote sun protection measures and educate children about sun safety at Green Kids. Staff model and reinforce sun protection behaviors, ensuring children wear hats and suitable clothing outdoors.

Visitor Management
Strict regulations govern the supervision and identification of authorized visitors at Green Kids. Records are maintained, and adequate supervision is ensured to protect children’s safety and well-being.

Water Safety
Green Kids conducts risk assessments before water-based activities and provides direct supervision to children during such experiences.

Safe Sleep and Rest Practices
Our sleep, rest, and relaxation practices are based on evidence-based principles and guidelines, ensuring children’s needs are met while considering their ages, development stages, and individual requirements.

Collection of Children
Only parents/guardians and authorized nominees are permitted to collect children from Green Kids. Photo identification is required from unknown nominees, and contact details must be kept up-to-date to ensure children’s safety at all times.

Bush Kinder

NQS 3 – Physical Environment
At Green Kids Early Learning, we prioritize creating safe and nurturing physical environments that actively support children’s well-being and learning outcomes. Our approach emphasizes promoting children’s agency and encouraging independent exploration to enhance their learning and development.

Sustainability is a key focus of our philosophy, as we believe it is essential to involve children in environmental education from an early age. By fostering a sense of wonder, belonging, and love for the natural environment, living things, and animals, we aim to instill lifelong practices that promote respect and protection of our planet.

Bush Kinder Policy
At Green Kids Early Learning, we recognize the immense value of outdoor experiences in children’s learning and development. Our Bush Kinder Policy is designed to provide children with enriching opportunities to explore and connect with the natural environment, fostering a deep appreciation for the world around them.

Key Principles:

• Outdoor Learning: We believe that the natural world offers endless possibilities for learning and discovery. Our Bush Kinder program integrates outdoor experiences into our curriculum, allowing children to engage with nature in meaningful ways
• Risk and Challenge: We understand the importance of allowing children to take managed risks and embrace challenges in their play. Our Bush Kinder activities are designed to encourage children to explore their limits, develop resilience, and build confidence in outdoor environments
• Environmental Stewardship: We are committed to instilling a sense of responsibility and respect for the environment in our children. Through hands-on experiences such as gardening, conservation projects, and nature walks, we empower children to become active stewards of the natural world
• Play-Based Learning: Our Bush Kinder program is centered around child-led, play-based experiences. We believe that unstructured play in natural settings promotes creativity, imagination, and holistic development
• Safety and Well-being: The safety and well-being of our children are paramount. We conduct thorough risk assessments of outdoor spaces, implement appropriate supervision ratios, and provide children with the necessary skills and knowledge to stay safe in natural environments
• Collaboration and Reflection: We recognize the importance of ongoing collaboration with families, educators, and the wider community in implementing our Bush Kinder program. We regularly reflect on our practices to ensure that they align with best practices in outdoor education and environmental sustainability

Through our Bush Kinder Policy, we aim to inspire a lifelong love of nature in our children, nurturing their curiosity, resilience, and sense of connection to the world around them.

Sustainability
Through engaging experiences and activities, we empower children to develop an understanding of sustainability principles and to take positive actions towards creating a more sustainable future. Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond our centers as we strive to contribute to a positive and sustainable environment for generations to come.

NQS 4 – Staffing Arrangements
At Green Kids Early Learning, we prioritize meeting legislated staffing ratios and qualification requirements to uphold the safety and quality of care for every child entrusted to us. Our workforce plays a crucial role in enriching children’s learning and development, and we are deeply committed to ensuring they possess the motivation and experience necessary for this pivotal responsibility.

Key Policies:

Rostering Staff:
Our management team meticulously prepares staff rosters in alignment with regulatory standards and the Green Kids Enterprise Agreement. When making the ratio, we carefully consider factors such as requirements of an educator who holds (or is actively working towards) an approved certificate III or diploma level qualification or an early childhood teacher (ECT) or suitably qualified person (SQP) is absent, Responsible Person requirements, first aid qualification requirements, licenced capacity of the centre, room configurations (age and room capacity), educator to child ratio requirements, positions and qualifications required, time allocated for programming, staff learning program induction and professional development, completion of the Performance .Additionally, we take into account the licenced capacity of our center, group sizes, breaks for educators, and support requirements for inclusive practices.

By adhering to these policies, we ensure that our team at Green Kids Early Learning is equipped to establish warm, respectful relationships with children, maintain safe environments, and actively engage children in their learning journeys. Through continuous training, professional development opportunities, and unwavering support, we cultivate a skilled and dedicated workforce committed to the holistic well-being and development of every child in our care.

NQS5 – Relationships with the children
At Green Kids, we hold a core belief that the learning, development, and well-being of children are deeply rooted in reciprocal, responsive, and respectful relationships that are attuned to their individual contexts within their families and communities.

We understand that young children thrive in early childhood environments when they have positive and secure relationships with educators who are skilled in nurturing and stimulating their growth.

Our educators are highly attuned to each child’s unique needs and strive to cultivate warm, trusting, and secure relationships both with individual children and among groups of children. We recognise that these relationships are fundamental to fostering children’s emerging self-regulation, learning, development, and overall well-being. Every child at Green Kids feels safe, heard, and valued, ensuring their meaningful participation in early childhood education and care.

Our learning environments are designed to be inclusive, supporting the participation of all children while reflecting diversity and upholding equity for every child.

Key Green Kids Policies:
Behaviour Guidance:
At Green Kids, we work collaboratively with families to understand and address the needs of each child, offering support and strategies for age-appropriate behaviour guidance as needed. We view guiding and supporting children’s behavior as integral to the learning process and essential to the educational program we offer. In cases where additional support is required, our center leadership and relevant educators facilitate access to internal and external specialist support services.

NQS 6- Collaborative partnerships with families and communities

At Green Kids, we believe that every child belongs within their family, cultural group, neighborhood, and wider community. We prioritise genuine collaborative partnerships between families and our early childhood professionals, recognizing families as our primary partners in the work we do. Our aim is to cultivate relationships where mutual respect, open communication, and shared decision-making are central, allowing us to value each other’s knowledge of our children, share insights, and contribute to positive outcomes for every child.

Key Green Kids Policies:
Family Rights and Responsibilities:
We ensure that practices within our center respect the rights and responsibilities of families. Likewise, families are expected to conduct themselves lawfully, safely, and responsibly, respecting the rights of others and using appropriate language. Any form of bullying, harassment, abuse, discrimination, or actions that endanger others is deemed unacceptable. Families agree to adhere to the Green Kids Family Rights and Responsibilities Requirement upon enrollment. Failure to comply may result in exclusion from the center, although their children may not be affected.

Enrolment and Orientation:
We strive to establish respectful and supportive relationships with families during the enrolment and orientation process, promoting positive outcomes for their children while meeting legislative requirements. Families are invited to tour the center and encouraged to address any concerns or questions they may have. Relevant forms are provided to assist families and the Center Director with the enrolment process.

Priority of Access:
We adhere to the Australian Government’s Priority of Access Guidelines when filling vacant places, prioritizing children based on factors such as risk of abuse or neglect, family circumstances, and special needs. We give priority to children from specific family backgrounds and socially isolated families, among others, ensuring fair access to our services.

Family Feedback:
We actively encourage families to provide feedback about their experiences with the center at any time. Our policy ensures that any problems, issues, or disputes are managed fairly and promptly, with resolutions sought as close to the source of the problem as possible. Families can raise concerns with various contacts, including Green Kids’ Family Support Team, and rest assured that their privacy is respected throughout the process.

NQS 7- leadership, service management and effective administration
At Green Kids, effective leadership across all our services is paramount. It cultivates a positive organizational culture, fosters a professional learning environment, and demonstrates our commitment to continuous improvement.

Key Green Kids Policies:

Responsible Person:
We are legally obligated to have a Responsible Person, either a Nominated or Person in day-to-day charge, physically present at all times within our centers. The name and position of the Responsible Person in charge will be prominently displayed for easy visibility from the main entrance of the center.

Educational Leader:
The role of the educational leader is pivotal within our early childhood centers, inspiring, motivating, affirming, and sometimes challenging the practices and pedagogy of our educators. Green Kids is mandated to have a designated Educational Leader at each of our centers, with this role integrated into the center leadership team. We ensure compliance by completing the necessary documentation, such as the NQS7 Educational Leader Nomination form, and maintaining it on file for regulatory reference.

Privacy, Confidentiality, and Data Security:
At Green Kids, we collect personal information from parents, guardians, and children for the primary purpose of providing early childhood education and care services and advocating for the well-being, protection, and development of children. We commit to using this information only for the purpose it was collected or reasonably expected secondary purposes. All personal information is securely stored, either in paper form or electronically, within our centers or at our administrative offices. We take measures to protect this information from unauthorized use or disclosure, including storing, processing, or backing it up on computer servers that may be located overseas.

Students and Volunteers:
Green Kids encourages work experience opportunities within our centers, particularly for students pursuing early childhood qualifications. Students gain practical experience through interactions with our educators and children. Additionally, we welcome volunteers, recognizing the valuable contribution they bring to our programs. To ensure the safety and well-being of children in our care, students and volunteers are required to adhere to all state-based screening requirements and hold relevant working with children clearances.