Driving continuous improvement with your QIP

A Quality Improvement Plan, or QIP, is a core document for early childhood education and care (ECEC) centres to drive continuous improvement in their services throughout the year.

Its aim is to help providers self-assess their performance in delivering quality education and care, and to plan future improvements.

What is included in a QIP?

Under the Education and Care Services National Regulations a QIP must:

• include an assessment of the quality of the practices at the service against the National Quality Standard and National Regulations,
• identify any areas the provider considers may require improvement, and
• include a statement of the philosophy of the service.

How often does a QIP need to be updated?

A QIP must be prepared within three months of a new service approval being granted and then must be reviewed and revised at least annually.   

It should be available on request by the ESB or parents of a child enrolled or looking to enrol at the service.

Ideally the QIP is a dynamic, evolving document that is regularly used throughout the year for continuous improvement, self-assessment and self-reflection.

Importantly, while a QIP must be available on request by the ESB, it does not need to be updated specifically for an assessment and rating visit. This is because a QIP should reflect a service’s quality journey in the here and now, including its self-identified areas for improvement. Quality improvement should be part of a continuous year-round process.

Further information

ACECQA’s website has a range of information and resources to help you develop your QIP including an online course and self-assessment tool: https://www.acecqa.gov.au/assessment/quality-improvement-plans