Improving the quality of childcare provision is one of the key aims of the Government’s National Childcare Strategy and Childcare Act.

Quality accreditation builds on the care that is regulated through OfSTED and the Children Act 1989. Going through an accreditation scheme can, if done properly, improve quality beyond the minimum standards enforced by OfSTED. Accreditation schemes set clear standards of quality for all aspects of a childcare setting, from staffing, premises, health and safety, to relationships with children, parents and the community.

All children and their parents deserve top quality care from their childcare setting. This means giving children an environment that is safe, supportive, stimulating and challenging, a place to be with friends, try out new activities, relax and have fun.

Quality accreditation enables providers to show that they provide a high quality service. It also offers them a focus for the management and development of their staff and setting.

Parents can feel confident that a childcare provider who is accredited has met nationally set, high standards regarding the management of the setting and the services and facilities provided. A parent who has the choice is more likely to opt for such an accredited setting, giving the provider a distinct marketing advantage over non-accredited providers.

• for day nurseries - NDNA Quality Counts (www.ndna.org.uk)

• for pre-schools and playgroups – PLA Aiming for Quality (www.pre-school.org.uk)

• for out of school clubs – 4Children (formerly KCN) Aiming Higher 0-14(16) (www.4children.org.uk)

• for childminders and home child carers who are not part of a Network – NCMA Quality First (www.ncma.org.uk)

Network childminders are currently assessed against NCMA quality standards and the Children Come First standards.

Quality Assured Settings in Barnsley
For further information on Quality Assured settings please click here....

Quality Improvement Processes
A Quality Improvement Process (QIP) is anything that a provider does which raises the level or quality/outcomes for children and families. Examples of this could be healthy eating schemes, breastfeeding awards, parent/carer initiatives.

Barnsley Choices is currently identifying any processes that providers have implemented. If your setting is working toward any QIP please contact your development officer on 01226 775977.

Quality Improvement Principles
We would like to draw your attention to the adjacent booklet ‘Quality Improvement Principles’ produced by the National Quality Improvement Network (NQIN) in conjunction with the National Children’s Bureau (NCB).

The NQIN was created under the umbrella of the NCB and includes representatives from the local authorities and national organisations who see quality improvement in the sector as a priority. ‘Quality improvement is the process of raising the quality of experience enjoyed by children and young people and their families in a whole setting’.

The Network has been funded by the DFES to create good practice principles.

The National Quality Improvement Network has drawn up twelve Quality Improvement Principles which are detailed within the booklet. The principles will apply to all types of settings who cater for children/young people aged up to 14 or 16+ for children/young people with special needs.

The booklet discusses the roots and importance of Quality Improvement as well as defining expectations of how these principles can be met.

The booklet can be downloaded from www.ncb.org.uk Quality Improvement section.

If you have any queries about Quality Improvement or to let us know what you are doing to improve quality within your setting please contact Jill Duffin on 01226 775977.