Assessment and Rating WORKBOOK + 3 x Mini Courses
Beyond Compliance: Deepening Practice Through the National Quality Framework (NQF)
Assessment and Rating WORKBOOK + 3 x Mini Courses
Beyond Compliance: Deepening Practice Through the National Quality Framework (NQF)
$399 Per Early Learning Centre
This professional learning workbook is designed for early childhood educators, leaders, and teams who are striving for a deeper understanding and application of the National Quality Framework (NQF). With a strong focus on critical reflection, continuous improvement, and achieving Exceeding themes in Assessment & Rating, this workbook empowers educators to move beyond compliance and confidently embed quality practices into their daily programs.
Participants will explore each Quality Area of the National Quality Standard (NQS), understand what "Meeting" and "Exceeding" look like in practice, and engage with 15 critical reflection questions per Element to strengthen reflective thinking and documentation.
Workbook -
In Addition to the Workbook, also receive:
Assessment and Rating Workbook
Active Supervision Checklist
Child Safey Classroom Checklist
Child Safety Classroom Poster
Personal Philosophy Checklist
Leadership Toolkit for Early Childhood & OSHC Services
Quality Improvement Plan Checklist
Leadership Reflection Tool
Checklist register to Support Element 7.1.2 – Management Systems
Health & Safety Checklist Register
Health & Safety Checklists
Policies Checklist
Policies – Regulation 168
Policies Templates
Children’s Voice Checklist — By Quality Area
Children’s Voice Checklist Overview
Educational Leader Toolkit
Leadership Vision Board Template
Reflection Questions for Each Standard – National Quality Framework
EYLF – What It Means, Deep Dive, Examples, Links to the NQF
Linking EYLF Outcomes to Theorists
EYLF/MTOP Theorist–Outcome Alignment Checklist
Developmental & Early Childhood Theorists Checklist
with EYLF & NQF Links
Developmental & Early Childhood Theorists Checklist by Quality Area & EYLF Outcomes
Staffing Records – Regulatory Requirements
Staffing Records Checklist
Volunteers & Students Checklist
Meeting the National Quality Framework Checklist
Exceeding the National Quality Framework Checklist
Reflection Questions and Feedback for Team
Philosophy Checklist – Meeting and Exceeding
Staff Training Overview (3 x 20-Minute Courses)
Each short course is aligned with:
NQF: Promotes quality education and care.
EYLF v2.0 & MTOP v2.0: Strengthens outcomes for all children.
NQS Elements: Primarily 1.1.1, 1.2.1, 2.2.1, 2.2.2, 4.2.2, 5.1.1, 5.2.2, 7.2.3.
Staff will receive a certificate of completion for their professional development portfolios.
1. Guiding Children’s Behaviour
Duration: 20 minutes
Focus: Positive behaviour guidance using relational and trauma-informed practices.
Learning Objectives:
Understand the principles of behaviour as communication.
Reflect on how co-regulation and secure relationships influence behaviour.
Respond to challenging moments with empathy, consistency, and clear expectations.
Links to NQF & Frameworks:
NQS 5.2.2: Each child is supported to regulate their behaviour.
EYLF Learning Outcome 1: Children feel safe, secure, and supported.
MTOP Practice: Intentionality and secure relationships.
Key Takeaways:
Positive guidance fosters resilience and emotional wellbeing.
Behaviour support is about understanding children, not controlling them.
2. Active Supervision
Duration: 20 minutes
Focus: Strategies for vigilant, engaged supervision to ensure safety and connection.
Learning Objectives:
Learn proactive supervision techniques, indoors and outdoors.
Practice scanning, positioning, and anticipating risks.
Build shared team responsibility for constant awareness.
Links to NQF & Frameworks:
NQS 2.2.1: At all times, reasonable precautions and adequate supervision ensure children are protected from harm and hazard.
EYLF Principle: Partnerships and high expectations.
MTOP Practice: Collaborative leadership and holistic practices.
Key Takeaways:
Active supervision prevents incidents and promotes engagement.
Strong supervision is relational, not just observational.
3. Keeping Children Safe in Our Classroom
Duration: 20 minutes
Focus: Child protection, recognising grooming behaviours, and mandatory reporting responsibilities.
Learning Objectives:
Define child abuse and neglect, including early warning signs.
Understand grooming behaviours and how they may present.
Know your legal responsibilities as a Mandatory Reporter.
Learn how to respond when a child discloses or shows signs of harm.
Links to NQF & Frameworks:
NQS 2.2.3: Management, educators and staff are aware of their roles and responsibilities to identify and respond to every child at risk of abuse or neglect.
EYLF v2.0 Principle: Equity, inclusion and high expectations.
MTOP v2.0 Outcome 3: Children become strong in their social and emotional wellbeing.
Key Takeaways:
Every educator plays a role in child safety.
Noticing grooming behaviour—such as secrecy, gift-giving, or isolating a child—is critical.
Trust your instincts and always follow your service’s child protection policy.
Key Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this workbook, Early Childhood Team will be able to:
Who This Workbook Is For:
Workbook Modules:
Understanding the NQF
➤ What is the NQF?
The NQS Demystified
➤ Overview of each Quality Area and its elements.
Critical Reflection in Practice
➤ What it is, why it matters, and how to do it meaningfully.
Meeting vs. Exceeding
➤ Deep dive into the three Exceeding themes.
Reflective Practice Across the 7 Quality Areas
➤ 15 tailored reflection questions per Element (practical use).
Documenting for Impact
➤ How to reflect, record, and showcase practice authentically.
Preparing for Assessment & Rating
➤ What assessors look for, what to avoid, and how to shine.
Workbook Features:Printable reflective checklists &
& summary checklist
What is needed to meet each element
Documentation needed to meet each element
Different checklists available to support Early Learning Centres - Long Day Care, Family Day Care Educators, and Outside School Hours care.
Beyond Compliance: Deepening Practice Through the National Quality Framework (NQF)
$399 Per Early Learning Centre
This professional learning workbook is designed for early childhood educators, leaders, and teams who are striving for a deeper understanding and application of the National Quality Framework (NQF). With a strong focus on critical reflection, continuous improvement, and achieving Exceeding themes in Assessment & Rating, this workbook empowers educators to move beyond compliance and confidently embed quality practices into their daily programs.
Participants will explore each Quality Area of the National Quality Standard (NQS), understand what "Meeting" and "Exceeding" look like in practice, and engage with 15 critical reflection questions per Element to strengthen reflective thinking and documentation.
Workbook -
In Addition to the Workbook, also receive:
Assessment and Rating Workbook
Active Supervision Checklist
Child Safey Classroom Checklist
Child Safety Classroom Poster
Personal Philosophy Checklist
Leadership Toolkit for Early Childhood & OSHC Services
Quality Improvement Plan Checklist
Leadership Reflection Tool
Checklist register to Support Element 7.1.2 – Management Systems
Health & Safety Checklist Register
Health & Safety Checklists
Policies Checklist
Policies – Regulation 168
Policies Templates
Children’s Voice Checklist — By Quality Area
Children’s Voice Checklist Overview
Educational Leader Toolkit
Leadership Vision Board Template
Reflection Questions for Each Standard – National Quality Framework
EYLF – What It Means, Deep Dive, Examples, Links to the NQF
Linking EYLF Outcomes to Theorists
EYLF/MTOP Theorist–Outcome Alignment Checklist
Developmental & Early Childhood Theorists Checklist
with EYLF & NQF Links
Developmental & Early Childhood Theorists Checklist by Quality Area & EYLF Outcomes
Staffing Records – Regulatory Requirements
Staffing Records Checklist
Volunteers & Students Checklist
Meeting the National Quality Framework Checklist
Exceeding the National Quality Framework Checklist
Reflection Questions and Feedback for Team
Philosophy Checklist – Meeting and Exceeding
Staff Training Overview (3 x 20-Minute Courses)
Each short course is aligned with:
NQF: Promotes quality education and care.
EYLF v2.0 & MTOP v2.0: Strengthens outcomes for all children.
NQS Elements: Primarily 1.1.1, 1.2.1, 2.2.1, 2.2.2, 4.2.2, 5.1.1, 5.2.2, 7.2.3.
Staff will receive a certificate of completion for their professional development portfolios.
1. Guiding Children’s Behaviour
Duration: 20 minutes
Focus: Positive behaviour guidance using relational and trauma-informed practices.
Learning Objectives:
Understand the principles of behaviour as communication.
Reflect on how co-regulation and secure relationships influence behaviour.
Respond to challenging moments with empathy, consistency, and clear expectations.
Links to NQF & Frameworks:
NQS 5.2.2: Each child is supported to regulate their behaviour.
EYLF Learning Outcome 1: Children feel safe, secure, and supported.
MTOP Practice: Intentionality and secure relationships.
Key Takeaways:
Positive guidance fosters resilience and emotional wellbeing.
Behaviour support is about understanding children, not controlling them.
2. Active Supervision
Duration: 20 minutes
Focus: Strategies for vigilant, engaged supervision to ensure safety and connection.
Learning Objectives:
Learn proactive supervision techniques, indoors and outdoors.
Practice scanning, positioning, and anticipating risks.
Build shared team responsibility for constant awareness.
Links to NQF & Frameworks:
NQS 2.2.1: At all times, reasonable precautions and adequate supervision ensure children are protected from harm and hazard.
EYLF Principle: Partnerships and high expectations.
MTOP Practice: Collaborative leadership and holistic practices.
Key Takeaways:
Active supervision prevents incidents and promotes engagement.
Strong supervision is relational, not just observational.
3. Keeping Children Safe in Our Classroom
Duration: 20 minutes
Focus: Child protection, recognising grooming behaviours, and mandatory reporting responsibilities.
Learning Objectives:
Define child abuse and neglect, including early warning signs.
Understand grooming behaviours and how they may present.
Know your legal responsibilities as a Mandatory Reporter.
Learn how to respond when a child discloses or shows signs of harm.
Links to NQF & Frameworks:
NQS 2.2.3: Management, educators and staff are aware of their roles and responsibilities to identify and respond to every child at risk of abuse or neglect.
EYLF v2.0 Principle: Equity, inclusion and high expectations.
MTOP v2.0 Outcome 3: Children become strong in their social and emotional wellbeing.
Key Takeaways:
Every educator plays a role in child safety.
Noticing grooming behaviour—such as secrecy, gift-giving, or isolating a child—is critical.
Trust your instincts and always follow your service’s child protection policy.
Key Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this workbook, Early Childhood Team will be able to:
- Understand the structure, purpose, and components of the National Quality Framework.
- Unpack the 7 Quality Areas of the NQS, with a focus on Exceeding NQS themes.
- Use critical reflection as a tool for program planning, team development, and quality improvement.
- Apply 15 element-aligned reflective questions per element to enhance assessment and planning.
- Identify strategies to demonstrate embedded, informed, and community-shaped practice.
- Confidently prepare for Assessment & Rating using a strengths-based approach.
Who This Workbook Is For:
- Early childhood educators and leaders (Diploma, Bachelor-trained)
- Educational leaders and coordinators
- Centre managers and nominated supervisors
- Services preparing for Assessment & Rating
- Teams looking to embed reflective practice and strengthen quality improvement
Workbook Modules:
Understanding the NQF
➤ What is the NQF?
The NQS Demystified
➤ Overview of each Quality Area and its elements.
Critical Reflection in Practice
➤ What it is, why it matters, and how to do it meaningfully.
Meeting vs. Exceeding
➤ Deep dive into the three Exceeding themes.
Reflective Practice Across the 7 Quality Areas
➤ 15 tailored reflection questions per Element (practical use).
Documenting for Impact
➤ How to reflect, record, and showcase practice authentically.
Preparing for Assessment & Rating
➤ What assessors look for, what to avoid, and how to shine.
Workbook Features:Printable reflective checklists &
& summary checklist
What is needed to meet each element
Documentation needed to meet each element
- Visual guides for Exceeding practice themes
- Real-life service examples for context
- Bonus: A-R readiness self-assessment checklist
- Linked Frameworks & Regulations:
- National Quality Standard (NQS)
- Education and Care Services National Law & Regulations
- Approved Learning Frameworks (EYLF V2.0 & MTOP V2.0)
- ACECQA’s Exceeding the NQS guidance
Different checklists available to support Early Learning Centres - Long Day Care, Family Day Care Educators, and Outside School Hours care.