What the latest NQF Snapshot tells us
Earlier this month, the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) released the Q2 2026 National Quality Framework (NQF) Snapshot.
The Snapshot provides a national overview of the early childhood education and care sector, including assessment and rating outcomes against the National Quality Standard (NQS). It also offers valuable insights into areas where services may wish to focus their quality improvement efforts.
In South Australia, the following quality areas recorded the highest proportion of services rated ‘Working Towards NQS’:
- Quality Area 2 – Children’s health and safety (14%)
- Quality Area 1 – Educational program and practice (12%)
- Quality Area 7 – Governance and Leadership (12%)
These results highlight key areas for reflection and continuous improvement. Services are encouraged to review their current practices and make use of the resources available to support quality outcomes for children and families.
ACECQA publishes a range of resources for each quality area on their website. Follow the links above and select the Resources tab to access guidance materials, practical tools and supporting information.
The Guide to the National Quality Framework remains the primary resource for understanding the assessment and rating process, the NQS and the expectations associated with each quality area.
To view the Q2 2026 Snapshot, visit ACECQA’s website.