Early childhood education and care services around Australia are working to meet the same national standards to ensure children are given the best start to life and learning.

What should I see on display at my service?

The National Quality Standard aims to safeguard and promote children’s health and safety, minimise risks and protect children from harm, injury and infection. 

Managing illnesses in services

Good hygiene in services helps children develop lifelong good hygiene habits and reduces the risk of infections spreading.

How services ensure good hygiene

Educators in services may take or record images or videos to document and communicate with you about your child’s learning and participation in early learning experiences. 

Taking images

There are a range of health issues that children can experience, including asthma, allergies, food intolerances and illnesses such as epilepsy, cystic fibrosis and diabetes that require specific care practices.

It is important that services work with you and your family to support your child to be safely and respectfully included in their education and care environment.

Managing additional health needs in services

At times you may experience some level of dissatisfaction or even concern about the service you use.

These tips may help you to effectively communicate any concerns you may have with the service, or to reach out to the regulatory authority of your state/territory for advice, or to lodge a complaint if necessary.

How to raise any concerns with your child's service

Our Find Child Care tool is undergoing maintenance. At the moment you can search by suburb or service name. We look forward to resuming all search options soon.

Health and safety in services