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Current Issues on NOSHSA's Agenda
- Child Care Management System (CCMS)
- Quality Assurance
- Children with Additional Needs
- National Qualifications for OSHC
- Status of OSHC Professionals
What is the Child Care Management System?
The Child Care Management System (CCMS) is a national child care system that will bring all approved child care services online. Services will use their CCMS registered software to record child, enrolment and attendance information. Services will report this data to the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) via the internet to allow calculation and payment of Child Care Benefit (CCB) fee reductions on behalf of children in their service.
CCMS is currently being rolled out to all Long Day Care and Family Day Care services with live payments of CCB to a small number of services starting successfully from 4 February 2008. CCMS will be progressively rolled out to all other services (including OSHC services) during 2008. Under legislation, all services must be operating under CCMS by 30 June 2009.
When will services be advised of their transfer date?
DEEWR will write to you about 60 days prior to the proposed transfer date.
If the proposed date does not suit you, contact the Department to negotiate an agreed date.
30 days before the agreed transfer date you will receive another letter from the Department. This letter advises you that a decision has been made on the date of transfer and that you must be ready to transfer to CCMS on this date.
Where to find out more information about CCMS
Child care services can visit the CCMS website at www.fahcsia.gov.au/childcare which contains information on CCMS including answers to frequently asked questions, copies of Special Edition Child Care News, Helpdesk contact details and the new CCMS Handbook.
What is Quality Assurance?
- See NCAC website for information.
Review of Quality Assurance System
Update on the QA Standards - A message from NCAC
Throughout 2007, NCAC and the Australian Government were working towards integrating the Child Care Quality Assurance (CCQA) systems. Many child care professionals contributed to the consultation process or provided feedback which was greatly appreciated. It is understandable that some services may be wondering when the final version of the draft standards will be implemented. However, until further information is known, it is important that outside school hours care services continue to use to the standards outlined in the Outside School Hours Care Quality Assurance (OSHCQA) Quality Practices Guide. The OSHCQA standards help to ensure that children and families are provided with consistent quality child care experiences and this should continue to be the focus when services are working through CCQA. The following strategies may help services during the self-study process or when reflecting on current practice:
- Refer to NCAC's resources which include Support Documents, Factsheets and Policy Templates.
- Read the OSHCQA Quality Trends Report (1 July- 31 December 2007), which may assist to identify areas for further improvement.
- Contact a NCAC Endorsed QA Trainer who can guide services working through the Five Steps.
- Contact a Professional Support Coordinator for support and training opportunities.
As information about changes to the CCQA systems becomes known NCAC will advise all services. For further information telephone a NCAC Child Care Adviser on 1300 136 554. NCAC's resources, reports and templates are available to download from the NCAC website (www.ncac.gov.au).
Children with Additional Needs
National Qualifications for OSHC