Case Study 3
Read the following scenario and answer the related questions.
The great outdoors
Westside Children’s Centre has been operating for 15 years. It is a 60 place centre and caters for children from 6 weeks to 6 years of age. There are two rooms of 10 children up to 2 years, one room of 16 children 2–3 years and one room of 24 children 3–6 years. There are 12 full-time practitioners, 4 part-time practitioners and several ancillary staff.
The centre has two playgrounds – one for children under 3 years and one for children 3–6 years.
While the indoor facilities have been regularly upgraded, the playgrounds have not and are in need of an urgent upgrade.
The centre has just undergone the process of self-assessment where it has been identified that the service does not meet National Quality Standard in relation outdoor program and outdoor facilities.
Cu
ent planning for outdoors includes:
A weekly planning sheet where staff record the equipment that is to be placed out for the children each week.
Additional concerns:
There are no objectives or goals recorded for the outdoor play or for children’s development
There is no evaluation of the weekly outdoor ‘program’.
Staff tend to stand around and ‘supervise’ but rarely engage in play or interact with the children except when related to behaviour management.
Outdoor physical facilities: (see plan)
Sandpit in each playground
Adequate shaded areas
Lack of vegetation/gardens
Unsafe fixed climbing equipment in preschool play area – recently removed
Lack of variety of equipment for outdoor play.
PART A
Develop a Quality Improvement Plan(QIP) using the template/format provided, including the following elements:
Audit of outdoor equipment based on the number of children enrolled each day
Describe the audit process you would use
Develop a detailed cost plan by providing a list of recommended outdoor equipment for each of the 2 play areas.
You should also include in your cost plan:
a timeframe for completion of each process
Recommend who would be responsible for each process.
Who would be consulted (stakeholders)during this process
How often would the QIP be reviewed?
Audit of outdoor facilities (as per plan)
Describe the audit process you would use
Draw on the plan and write a
ief list of changes suggesting the additions/improvements that could be made including vegetation, seating, gardens and so on.
Click here to enter text.
PART B
The audits and recommendations have been completed. Prior to finalising the process you are asked to seek feedback and input from families using the service. Describe how you would go about this process.
Click here to enter text.
Management are not able to afford all of the improvements at this time. As part of the quality improvement plan/processes you are required to make recommendations for the work to be completed in stages.
Click here to enter text.
PART C-
Please find below a sample of QIP for National Quality Standard 3 – Physical Environment and use it as a reference for creating a new QIP including relevant 4 standards/elements (from below) to improve on in relation to the case study provided.
QA3 Physical environment –
3.1 Design The design of the facilities is appropriate for the operation of a service-
3.1.1 Fit for purpose- Outdoor and indoor spaces, buildings, fixtures and fittings are suitable for their purpose, including supporting the access of every child.
3.1.2 Upkeep- Premises, furniture and equipment are safe, clean and well maintained.
3.2 Use The service environment is inclusive, promotes competence and supports exploration and play-based learning-
3.2.1 Inclusive environment- Outdoor and indoor spaces are organised and adapted to support every child's participation and to engage every child in quality experiences in both built and natural environments.
3.2.2 Resources support play-based learning- Resources, materials and equipment allow for multiple uses, are sufficient in number, and enable every child to engage in play-based learning.
3.2.3 Environmentally responsible- The service cares for the environment and supports children to become environmentally responsible.
Outdoor and indoor spaces are organised and adapted to support every child's participation and to engage every child in quality experiences in both built and natural environments.
Summary of strengths in practice where there is evidence of Exceeding NQS themes
Notes:
This Exceeding NQS section is to be completed only when there is evidence of one or more Exceeding NQS theme(s) impacting on practice at your service.
Additional information about the Exceeding NQS themes for Standard 3.1 is available in the Guide to the National Quality Framework.
Standard 3.1 – Design: The design of the facilities is appropriate for the operation of a service.
Exceeding themes
1. Practice is embedded in service operations
[If you have identified strengths in this area, describe how your practices are embedded in service operations for this Standard]
2. Practice is informed by critical reflection
[If you have identified strengths in this area, describe how your services practices in this Standard, have been informed by critical reflection.]
3. Practice is shaped by meaningful engagement with families, and/or community
[If you have identified strengths in this area, describe how your services practices in this Standard, have been shaped by meaningful engagement with families, and/or community]
Summary of strengths in practice where there is evidence of Exceeding NQS themes
Notes:
This Exceeding NQS section is to be completed only when there is evidence of one or more Exceeding NQS theme(s) impacting on practice at your service.
Additional information about the Exceeding NQS themes for Standard 3.2 is available in the Guide to the National Quality Framework.
Standard 3.2 – Use: The service environment is inclusive, promotes competence and supports exploration and play-based learning.
Exceeding themes
1. Practice is embedded in service operations
[If you have identified strengths in this area, describe how your practices are embedded in service operations for this Standard]
2. Practice is informed by critical reflection
[If you have identified strengths in this area, describe how your services practices in this Standard, have been informed by critical reflection.]
3. Practice is shaped by meaningful engagement with families, and/or community
[If you have identified strengths in this area, describe how your services practices in this Standard, have been shaped by meaningful engagement with families, and/or community]
Quality Improvement plan
Standard
element What outcome or goal do we seek? Priority (L/M/H) How will we get this outcome? (Steps) Success measure By when? Progress notes
RTO Number: 122208 CRICOS Number: 03373B Revision date: 10 Jul 2019
Next Review: 10 Jul 2020 Email: XXXXXXXXXX Revision: 1.1
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