3 1 2 1 4 Understand policies and example, in NSW all child care facilities must have received development approval before legislation lodging an application for service approval. The different levels of government implement overarching policies and legislation which govern Aligning with the National Quality child care. However, this often results in several Framework layers of regulations and requirements which can In Queensland, the Department of Education, be difficult to understand and navigate. Training and Employment (DETE) is Align local government responsible for approving care services policies in accordance with the requirements of the National Quality Framework (NQF). Assessing It is important that local governments get clarity a development application for child care from the relevant decision maker where there is facilities involves DETE working with local policy overlap or potential for different government and is a useful mechanism to interpretations. ensure the NQF is delivered through the land use planning system. A Queensland example The Education and Care Services National Regulations (Part 4.39) determine the indoor and outdoor space ratios required for children in Brief local government centre-based child care services. staff In parallel, the Queensland Government’s Build the capacity of local government staff (in Part Development Code for child care centres to better understand how state, national and 5.4) establishes development standards for child local government requirements overlap and care facilities including, amongst others, what they should do if clarification is accessibility, indoor play facilities, toilet and required. This will help to ensure a more laundry facilities, outdoor play and storage consistent level of service delivery and facilities. communication with proponents regarding state and national requirements. Both these need to be identified to local child care proponents to ensure they fully understand Assist proponents the two. Child care providers and proponents operate within a national framework set by the Commonwealth. However, they are often working across different state (and local) governments where the policies and Referrals to other government agencies to obtain legislation may vary. child care service approvals can also be complex processes, involving various government Local government could consider providing agencies such as state departments of planning, clear pathways and briefings for proponents environment and children’s services. For on how to navigate the required processes.
3 1 2 1 4 Understand policies and legislation The different levels of government implement overarching policies and legislation which govern child care. However, this often results in several layers of regulations and requirements which can be difficult to understand and navigate. Align local government policies It is important that local governments get clarity from the relevant decision maker where there is policy overlap or potential for different interpretations. A Queensland example The Education and Care Services National Regulations (Part 4.39) determine the indoor and outdoor space ratios required for children in centre-based child care services. In parallel, the Queensland Government’s Development Code for child care centres (in Part 5.4) establishes development standards for child care facilities including, amongst others, accessibility, indoor play facilities, toilet and laundry facilities, outdoor play and storage facilities. Both these need to be identified to local child care proponents to ensure they fully understand the two. Referrals to other government agencies to obtain child care service approvals can also be complex processes, involving various government agencies such as state departments of planning, environment and children’s services. For example, in NSW all child care facilities must have received development approval before lodging an application for service approval. Aligning with the National Quality Framework In Queensland, the Department of Education, Training and Employment (DETE) is responsible for approving care services in accordance with the requirements of the National Quality Framework (NQF). Assessing a development application for child care facilities involves DETE working with local government and is a useful mechanism to ensure the NQF is delivered through the land use planning system. Brief local government staff Build the capacity of local government staff to better understand how state, national and local government requirements overlap and what they should do if clarification is required. This will help to ensure a more consistent level of service delivery and communication with proponents regarding state and national requirements. Assist proponents Child care providers and proponents operate within a national framework set by the Commonwealth. However, they are often working across different state (and local) governments where the policies and legislation may vary. Local government could consider providing clear pathways and briefings for proponents on how to navigate the required processes.
uts-clg-guidelines.docx