Exceeding NQS in Quality Area 1: Intentional teaching (Element 1.2.1)

Practical Steps Towards an Exceeding NQS Rating in Quality Area 1: Element 1.2.1

To achieve an Exceeding NQS rating in the National Quality Standard 1.2, specifically for ELEMENT 1.2.1 INTENTIONAL TEACHING, you’ll need to ensure that your practices align with the three Exceeding themes provided by ACECQA. Here’s an exhaustive list of practical steps you can take based on each theme:

1. Embedded in service operations (Theme 1)

• Consistency: Ensure that intentional teaching practices are consistently applied across all programs and by all educators. This means that every child, regardless of which educator they interact with, should experience the same level of intentional teaching.
• Training: Regularly train all educators on the principles and practices of intentional teaching. This ensures that everyone is on the same page and understands the importance of this approach.
• Documentation: Maintain detailed records of intentional teaching practices. This can include lesson plans, observations, and reflections that demonstrate how intentional teaching is being implemented.
• Review: Periodically review the intentional teaching practices to ensure they are being implemented effectively. Seek feedback from educators about what’s working and what can be improved.

2. Informed by critical reflection (Theme 2)

• Regular Reflection Sessions: Schedule regular team meetings where educators can come together to reflect on their teaching practices. Encourage open dialogue and constructive feedback.
• Individual Reflection: Encourage educators to set aside time for individual reflection. This can be done through journaling or simply setting aside quiet time to think about their teaching practices.
• Feedback Mechanism: Create a system where educators can provide feedback on each other’s teaching practices. This can be done anonymously if necessary.
• Continuous Improvement: Use the insights gained from these reflections to drive improvements in teaching practices. This might involve tweaking lesson plans, trying new teaching techniques, or seeking further training.

3. Shaped by meaningful engagement with families and/or the community (Theme 3)

• Regular Communication: Establish regular communication channels with families. This can be through newsletters, emails, or face-to-face meetings.
• Feedback Surveys: Periodically send out surveys to families asking for their feedback on the educational program and intentional teaching practices.
• Community Engagement: Organize events or workshops where families and the community can learn more about intentional teaching and provide their input.
• Inclusivity: Ensure that the curriculum and teaching practices are inclusive and take into account the diverse backgrounds of the children and families in the service.
• Collaboration: Collaborate with local community organizations or experts to enhance the intentional teaching practices. This can provide additional resources and perspectives that can enrich the educational program.

Additional Steps:

• Stay Updated: Regularly review the guidelines provided by ACECQA to ensure that you’re up-to-date with the latest requirements and best practices.
• Seek External Training: Consider bringing in external experts or trainers to provide additional training and insights on intentional teaching.
• Celebrate Successes: Recognize and celebrate the successes and milestones achieved in implementing intentional teaching practices. This can motivate educators and reinforce the importance of these practices.

Remember, to be rated Exceeding NQS overall, you must meet the criteria across all Quality Areas. While focusing on intentional teaching is crucial, don’t neglect the other areas. Regularly review and reflect on all aspects of your service to ensure you’re providing the highest quality education and care.

An Example Monthly Schedule

Ready to implement these practical steps in your service? Using the constraints of 4 hours per week to work on improvements, we’ve created an example schedule below.

Given that the educator has 4 hours per week, which totals to 16 hours a month, here’s a suggested monthly schedule to prioritize and work on the practical steps to achieve an Exceeding NQS rating for ELEMENT 1.2.1 INTENTIONAL TEACHING:

Week 1: Focus on Theme 1 – Embedded in service operations

Total Hours: 4

1. Hour 1: Review current intentional teaching practices.
   • Go through lesson plans, observations, and reflections to understand the current state of intentional teaching.
2. Hour 2: Training research.
   • Spend time researching potential training resources or courses that can help improve intentional teaching practices.
3. Hour 3: Documentation.
   • Begin documenting current intentional teaching practices, noting areas of strength and areas that need improvement.
4. Hour 4: Team meeting.
   • Organize a brief meeting with fellow educators to discuss the importance of consistent intentional teaching and gather feedback on current practices.

Week 2: Focus on Theme 2 – Informed by critical reflection

Total Hours: 4

1. Hour 1: Individual reflection.
   • Set aside quiet time to reflect on personal teaching practices, noting areas of success and areas for growth.
2. Hour 2: Organize a reflection session.
   • Plan and schedule a team reflection session for the following week. Prepare guiding questions and topics for discussion.
3. Hour 3: Feedback mechanism setup.
   • Begin setting up a system for educators to provide feedback on each other’s teaching practices.
4. Hour 4: Research on critical reflection.
   • Spend time reading articles or resources on the importance of critical reflection in education.

Week 3: Focus on Theme 3 – Engagement with families and/or the community

Total Hours: 4

1. Hour 1: Communication plan.
   • Draft a plan for regular communication with families, considering newsletters, emails, or face-to-face meetings.
2. Hour 2: Feedback survey creation.
   • Begin designing a feedback survey for families to gather insights on the educational program and intentional teaching practices.
3. Hour 3: Plan a community engagement event.
   • Brainstorm ideas for a community workshop or event that promotes understanding and collaboration on intentional teaching.
4. Hour 4: Research on inclusivity.
   • Spend time researching best practices for ensuring inclusivity in teaching practices and curriculum.

Week 4: Additional Steps and Review

Total Hours: 4

1. Hour 1: Review ACECQA guidelines.
   • Go through the ACECQA guidelines to ensure alignment with the latest requirements and best practices.
2. Hour 2: External training research.
   • Look for external experts or trainers who can provide insights or training sessions on intentional teaching.
3. Hour 3: Document progress.
   • Update the documentation started in Week 1 with progress, changes, and new insights.
4. Hour 4: Celebrate and plan ahead.
   • Recognize the progress made over the month and plan for the next month’s focus areas and activities.

This schedule provides a structured approach for the educator to work on improving their service in alignment with the Exceeding NQS rating criteria. Adjustments can be made based on specific needs and priorities.

Reflective Questions

Reflective questions are essential for educators to deeply analyze and understand their practices, especially in the context of intentional teaching. Here’s an exhaustive list of reflective questions tailored for Element 1.2.1 – Intentional Teaching:

Understanding Intentional Teaching

1. What do I understand by “intentional teaching”? How do I define it in my practice?
2. How do I differentiate between intentional teaching and other teaching methods?
3. Why do I believe intentional teaching is important for children’s learning and development?

Planning and Implementation

1. How do I plan for intentional teaching moments in my daily routine?
2. What strategies do I use to recognize and seize spontaneous teaching opportunities?
3. How do I ensure that my intentional teaching practices cater to the diverse needs of all children?

Outcomes and Impact

1. What outcomes am I aiming for with my intentional teaching practices?
2. How do I measure the success of my intentional teaching moments?
3. What evidence do I have that shows the impact of intentional teaching on children’s learning?

Collaboration and Feedback

1. How do I collaborate with other educators to enhance intentional teaching practices?
2. What feedback have I received from colleagues, children, and families about my intentional teaching methods?
3. How do I incorporate this feedback into refining my practices?

Resources and Training

1. What resources do I currently use to support my intentional teaching practices?
2. Are there any additional resources or training I could benefit from to enhance my intentional teaching?
3. How do I stay updated with the latest research and best practices related to intentional teaching?

Challenges and Solutions

1. What challenges have I faced in implementing intentional teaching, and how have I addressed them?
2. Are there any barriers that prevent me from practicing intentional teaching to its fullest potential?
3. How can I overcome these barriers in the future?

Personal Growth and Development

1. How have my intentional teaching practices evolved over time?
2. What personal strengths do I bring to my intentional teaching practices?
3. Are there areas in my intentional teaching methods where I feel less confident or need improvement?

Engagement with Families and Community

1. How do I communicate the importance and methods of intentional teaching to families?
2. How do I involve families in the intentional teaching process?
3. Are there community resources or partnerships that could enhance my intentional teaching practices?

Future Goals and Aspirations

1. What are my short-term and long-term goals related to intentional teaching?
2. How do I plan to achieve these goals?
3. What support or resources will I need to reach these goals?

Broader Context

1. How does intentional teaching align with the broader educational philosophy and goals of our service?
2. How does intentional teaching contribute to achieving the overall outcomes of the National Quality Standard?
3. In what ways can intentional teaching practices be further integrated into the wider curriculum and educational program?

Using these reflective questions, educators can deeply analyze their intentional teaching practices, identify areas of strength and improvement, and set goals for continuous professional growth.

Learning from ACEQA case studies

Based on the provided case studies, here are the 5 most important practical steps that services have taken to achieve Exceeding NQS standards in Element 1.2.1, along with the reasons, tips, and estimated time for implementation:

Case Study 1

At this long day care service, staff meetings are used to share reflections about practice. Successful outcomes and how to build on them are discussed, as well as issues, challenges and possible solutions. Conversations and agreed actions are documented to capture decision-making processes and ongoing actions, as well as to enable review and critical reflection.

1. Staff Meetings for Reflection and Decision-making
   • Reason: Regular staff meetings ensure that all educators are aligned with the service’s philosophy and values. It promotes consistency in practice and allows for collective decision-making.
   • Tips: Schedule regular staff meetings, have a clear agenda, document discussions, and ensure follow-up on action items.
   • Estimated Time: 2 hours per meeting (bi-weekly or monthly).
2. Promotion of Children’s Agency
   • Reason: Actively seeking children’s input and incorporating their ideas into the program promotes their sense of agency and ensures their voices are heard.
   • Tips: Regularly engage children in discussions, seek their feedback, and make genuine efforts to incorporate their suggestions.
   • Estimated Time: 1 hour per week for discussions and feedback sessions.
3. Family Surveys and Feedback
   • Reason: Gathering feedback from families ensures that the service is meeting the needs and expectations of the community it serves.
   • Tips: Conduct regular surveys, provide platforms for open feedback, and act on the feedback received.
   • Estimated Time: 2 hours bi-annually for survey creation, distribution, and analysis.
4. Daily Room Meetings with Children
   • Reason: These meetings provide structured opportunities to gather children’s ideas and reflections, promoting their involvement in decision-making.
   • Tips: Schedule daily meetings, ensure they are age-appropriate, and document discussions for future reference.
   • Estimated Time: 15 minutes daily.
5. Reorganization of Physical Environment Based on Children’s Feedback
   • Reason: Making changes based on children’s feedback ensures that the environment is conducive to their needs and promotes their autonomy.
   • Tips: Engage children in discussions about the environment, consider their suggestions, and make necessary changes.
   • Estimated Time: Varies depending on the extent of changes, but initial discussions and planning can take 2-3 hours.

Case Study 2

This outside school hours care (OSHC) service offers before and after school, and vacation care, in a rural community. It is the only OSHC service in the community and is located on the grounds of the local school. The current team, including support staff, comprises a balance of both experienced educators and those who are newer to the role.

1. Deep Dive into Pedagogical Practices
   • Reason: Understanding and reflecting on pedagogical practices ensures that educators are intentional and effective in their teaching methods.
   • Tips: Use frameworks like MTOP for guidance, engage in professional discussions, and challenge existing practices.
   • Estimated Time: 2 hours per month for discussions and reflections.
2. Community Engagement and Excursions
   • Reason: Engaging with the local community and organizing excursions provides real-world learning experiences and strengthens community ties.
   • Tips: Plan regular excursions, ensure they are relevant to the curriculum, and engage local experts or resources.
   • Estimated Time: 3 hours per month for planning and execution.
3. Re-establishment of the Murri Trail
   • Reason: Restoring local landmarks with cultural significance promotes understanding and appreciation of indigenous cultures.
   • Tips: Collaborate with local experts, involve children in the restoration process, and use the trail as a learning resource.
   • Estimated Time: Varies depending on the extent of restoration, but initial planning and discussions can take 3-4 hours.
4. Development of a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)
   • Reason: A RAP demonstrates a service’s commitment to reconciliation and provides a structured approach to embedding indigenous perspectives.
   • Tips: Engage with local indigenous communities, seek guidance from organizations like Reconciliation Australia, and ensure regular reviews of the RAP.
   • Estimated Time: 5-6 hours for initial development, with ongoing reviews.
5. Acknowledgement of Country and Engagement with Local Aboriginal Elders
   • Reason: Regularly acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land and engaging with local elders promotes respect and understanding of indigenous cultures.
   • Tips: Incorporate the Acknowledgement of Country into daily routines, invite local elders for discussions, and provide platforms for them to share their knowledge.
   • Estimated Time: 1 hour per week for engagements and discussions.

These steps, when implemented with dedication and consistency, can significantly contribute to achieving an Exceeding NQS rating in Element 1.2.1.