National Childcare Accreditation Council
NCAC
1993 – 2012
Commonwealth-funded body that ran the national quality assurance and accreditation systems for child care, first for long day care centres and later for family day care and outside school hours care.
How it came into existence
Established by the Commonwealth in 1993 as an independent body to administer the Quality Improvement and Accreditation System for long day care centres, which began in 1994 and was linked to eligibility for Commonwealth childcare assistance. It had no predecessor.
Changes during its life
- 2001Began running a quality assurance system for family day care.
- 2003Began running a quality assurance system for outside school hours care.
- 3 December 2007Child care moved from the Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs portfolio to the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.
How it ended
Ceased when the National Quality Framework for early childhood education and care began on 1 January 2012, replacing its accreditation systems with assessment and rating by state regulators under the Education and Care Services National Law, overseen by the new Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority.
Main functions
- Quality Improvement and Accreditation System for long day care
- Family day care quality assurance
- Outside school hours care quality assurance
- Accreditation decisions linked to Child Care Benefit eligibility
- Quality guidance for child care services
Where it sits
Last in the portfolio of Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.
Lineage
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Sources
Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.