Meeting and Exceeding Quality Area 7 – Governance and Leadership
Meeting and Exceeding Quality Area 7 – Governance and Leadership - Being a Centre Manager
Support Group – Thursday 21st August 2025
6:00pm – 8:00pm AEST (New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania)
6:30pm – 8:30pm South Australia, Northern Territory
6:00pm – 8:00pm Western Australia
INDIVIDUAL – $160
Overview:
Deepening leadership, systems and exceeding governance practices
Meeting and Exceeding Quality Area 7 – Governance and Leadership is a focused support group session designed to empower leaders and teams to strengthen their leadership and governance capacity. This professional learning opportunity guides participants in aligning service philosophy with everyday decision-making, embedding continuous improvement practices, and building strong organisational culture. Part One explores Governance and Leadership Structures, including philosophy, systems and decision-making. Part Two highlights Leadership and Continuous Improvement, focusing on professional development, performance, and creating a shared vision for high-quality practice. Through real examples, exceeding prompts, and leadership reflection tools, this session inspires meaningful change.
What Nominated Supervisors Will Learn:
Understand how to meet and exceed each element of QA7
Align philosophy with leadership decisions and systems
Build a culture of accountability, wellbeing, and ethical leadership
Strengthen continuous improvement plans and team cohesion
Reflect on leadership capacity, roles and responsibility
Course Topics:
Part 1: Governance and Leadership Structures – Element 7.1
7.1.1 Service Philosophy and Purpose
A statement of philosophy guides all aspects of the service’s operations.
Topics Covered:
Creating a living philosophy that drives practice
Involving children, families and staff in co-authoring purpose
Embedding the philosophy in daily decision-making
Reflecting philosophy in policies, practice and environment
Exceeding Practice Prompt:
How often is your philosophy reviewed and by whom?
Is it visible, lived and meaningful to your team and families?
7.1.2 Management Systems
Systems are in place to manage risk and enable the effective operation of a quality service.
Topics Covered:
Policies, procedures, risk registers and record keeping
Delegation, accountability and responsible person systems
Financial and HR processes aligned to regulatory obligations
Digital systems and documentation efficiency
Exceeding Practice Prompt:
How do you ensure systems reflect your unique service context?
Are staff involved in refining and reflecting on these systems?
7.1.3 Roles and Responsibilities
Roles and responsibilities are clearly defined and understood and support effective decision-making and operation of the service.
Topics Covered:
Induction and onboarding for clarity of roles
Professional boundaries, ethics and collaboration
Leadership distribution and shared responsibility
Clarity of governance across all levels
Exceeding Practice Prompt:
Does each team member feel confident in their role and authority?
How do you embed shared decision-making across the team?
Part 2: Leadership and Continuous Improvement – Element 7.2
7.2.1 Continuous Improvement
There is an effective self-assessment and quality improvement process in place.
Topics Covered:
Writing and reviewing the QIP as a team
Using data (surveys, feedback, critical reflection) to inform improvement
Action planning and tracking growth over time
Building a reflective and forward-thinking culture
Exceeding Practice Prompt:
Who leads and who contributes to the QIP?
How is the QIP connected to children’s outcomes and staff growth?
7.2.2 Educational Leadership
The educational leader is supported and leads the development and implementation of the educational program and assessment and planning cycle.
Topics Covered:
Defining and supporting the educational leader’s role
Embedding the cycle of planning across the service
Coaching, mentoring and collaboration
Documentation that informs, not burdens
Exceeding Practice Prompt:
What strategies support the educational leader in their role?
How is educational leadership visible across your practice?
7.2.3 Development of Professionals
Educators, coordinators and staff members' performance is regularly evaluated and individual plans are in place to support learning and development.
Topics Covered:
Performance appraisals that are strengths-based and supportive
Tailored professional development and growth plans
Staff wellbeing, recognition and retention
Mentoring and succession planning
Exceeding Practice Prompt:
How do staff feel seen, valued and supported in your service?
Are professional goals linked to your service philosophy and QIP?
✅ Leadership Reflection Tools & Planning Templates
Use these tools to inspire bold and ethical leadership:
Self-assessment and role clarity guides
Educational leader support matrix
Team wellbeing and engagement audit
Annual calendar for QIP and review cycles
Conclusion & Takeaways
Checklist for Leadership and Governance Excellence
A collective vision for quality, courageous leadership and ethical systems.
Support Group – Thursday 21st August 2025
6:00pm – 8:00pm AEST (New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania)
6:30pm – 8:30pm South Australia, Northern Territory
6:00pm – 8:00pm Western Australia
INDIVIDUAL – $160
Overview:
Deepening leadership, systems and exceeding governance practices
Meeting and Exceeding Quality Area 7 – Governance and Leadership is a focused support group session designed to empower leaders and teams to strengthen their leadership and governance capacity. This professional learning opportunity guides participants in aligning service philosophy with everyday decision-making, embedding continuous improvement practices, and building strong organisational culture. Part One explores Governance and Leadership Structures, including philosophy, systems and decision-making. Part Two highlights Leadership and Continuous Improvement, focusing on professional development, performance, and creating a shared vision for high-quality practice. Through real examples, exceeding prompts, and leadership reflection tools, this session inspires meaningful change.
What Nominated Supervisors Will Learn:
Understand how to meet and exceed each element of QA7
Align philosophy with leadership decisions and systems
Build a culture of accountability, wellbeing, and ethical leadership
Strengthen continuous improvement plans and team cohesion
Reflect on leadership capacity, roles and responsibility
Course Topics:
Part 1: Governance and Leadership Structures – Element 7.1
7.1.1 Service Philosophy and Purpose
A statement of philosophy guides all aspects of the service’s operations.
Topics Covered:
Creating a living philosophy that drives practice
Involving children, families and staff in co-authoring purpose
Embedding the philosophy in daily decision-making
Reflecting philosophy in policies, practice and environment
Exceeding Practice Prompt:
How often is your philosophy reviewed and by whom?
Is it visible, lived and meaningful to your team and families?
7.1.2 Management Systems
Systems are in place to manage risk and enable the effective operation of a quality service.
Topics Covered:
Policies, procedures, risk registers and record keeping
Delegation, accountability and responsible person systems
Financial and HR processes aligned to regulatory obligations
Digital systems and documentation efficiency
Exceeding Practice Prompt:
How do you ensure systems reflect your unique service context?
Are staff involved in refining and reflecting on these systems?
7.1.3 Roles and Responsibilities
Roles and responsibilities are clearly defined and understood and support effective decision-making and operation of the service.
Topics Covered:
Induction and onboarding for clarity of roles
Professional boundaries, ethics and collaboration
Leadership distribution and shared responsibility
Clarity of governance across all levels
Exceeding Practice Prompt:
Does each team member feel confident in their role and authority?
How do you embed shared decision-making across the team?
Part 2: Leadership and Continuous Improvement – Element 7.2
7.2.1 Continuous Improvement
There is an effective self-assessment and quality improvement process in place.
Topics Covered:
Writing and reviewing the QIP as a team
Using data (surveys, feedback, critical reflection) to inform improvement
Action planning and tracking growth over time
Building a reflective and forward-thinking culture
Exceeding Practice Prompt:
Who leads and who contributes to the QIP?
How is the QIP connected to children’s outcomes and staff growth?
7.2.2 Educational Leadership
The educational leader is supported and leads the development and implementation of the educational program and assessment and planning cycle.
Topics Covered:
Defining and supporting the educational leader’s role
Embedding the cycle of planning across the service
Coaching, mentoring and collaboration
Documentation that informs, not burdens
Exceeding Practice Prompt:
What strategies support the educational leader in their role?
How is educational leadership visible across your practice?
7.2.3 Development of Professionals
Educators, coordinators and staff members' performance is regularly evaluated and individual plans are in place to support learning and development.
Topics Covered:
Performance appraisals that are strengths-based and supportive
Tailored professional development and growth plans
Staff wellbeing, recognition and retention
Mentoring and succession planning
Exceeding Practice Prompt:
How do staff feel seen, valued and supported in your service?
Are professional goals linked to your service philosophy and QIP?
✅ Leadership Reflection Tools & Planning Templates
Use these tools to inspire bold and ethical leadership:
Self-assessment and role clarity guides
Educational leader support matrix
Team wellbeing and engagement audit
Annual calendar for QIP and review cycles
Conclusion & Takeaways
Checklist for Leadership and Governance Excellence
A collective vision for quality, courageous leadership and ethical systems.
