Quality data
This page provides quality data from Quarter 3 (January to March) of the 2025–26 financial year (FY).
Slight variations in the figures published on this page each quarter may be experienced as data is captured at a specific point in time and may be updated retrospectively to reflect information related to the reporting period.
As the independent regulator for early childhood education and care (ECEC) in NSW, the NSW Early Learning Commission (Commission) assesses and rates National Quality Framework (NQF) services against the National Quality Standard (NQS), comprising 7 quality areas focusing on important outcomes for children. Services can receive one of 5 possible ratings:
- Excellent (awarded by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority)
- Exceeding National Quality Standard
- Meeting National Quality Standard
- Working Towards National Quality Standard
- Significant Improvement Required.
Snapshot
The figures below provide a snapshot of the quality ratings of ECEC services in NSW and their assessment and rating. Data is current as at 31 March 2026.
- 94.2% of NSW services assessed and rated compared with 94% nationally.*
- 88% of services sustained or improved their quality rating at their next assessment.^
- 0.6% increase in the proportion of services meeting or exceeding the NQS compared to the same quarter last financial year.
- 93% of NSW services are meeting or exceeding the NQS, compared with 92% nationally.
* For the latest national assessment and ratings data, visit the NQF Snapshot webpage.
^ Based on the current and previous quality rating of approved ECEC services in NSW as at 31 March 2026.
NQF services assessed and rated
The Commission conducts regular visits to ECEC services to ensure we have an accurate understanding of everyday practice and compliance with the law.
Since October 2023, the Commission has increased the use of partial reassessments for services that have been previously assessed against the current NQS. This involves the reassessment of 4 quality areas, rather than all 7.
The table below shows the number and type of assessment and ratings completed by the Commission in Q3, 2025–26 FY. Figures for earlier quarters are provided for comparison.
| Type of data | This quarter (Q3, 2025–26 FY) | Previous quarter (Q2, 2025–26 FY) | Same quarter last FY (Q3, 2024–25 FY) | % change on same quarter last year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full assessment and rating | 152 | 219 | 146 | 4 |
| Partial assessment and rating | 199 | 269 | 63 | 216 |
| Total | 351 | 488 | 209 | 68 |
NQF services applying for first tier review of an assessment and rating decision
The approved provider of an ECEC service may apply to the regulatory authority for a review of quality ratings, known as a ‘First Tier Review’ if the provider disagrees with the quality rating awarded through the assessment and rating process.
The table below shows the outcomes of first tier reviews in Q3, 2025–26 FY. Figures for earlier quarters are provided for comparison.
Learn what happens following an assessment and rating visit.
| First tier review outcomes | This quarter (Q3, 2025–26 FY) | Previous quarter (Q2, 2025–26 FY) | Same quarter last FY (Q3, 2024–25 FY) | % change on same quarter last year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change to overall rating | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| No change to overall rating | 18 | 16 | 13 | 38 |
| Total | 18 | 16 | 13 | 38 |
Percentage of services meeting or exceeding the NQS
The table below shows the percentage of ECEC services that have a current quality rating of either Meeting the NQS, Exceeding the NQS or Excellent as at 31 March 2026 (Q3, 2025–26 FY). Figures for earlier quarters are provided for comparison.
| NQF service type | % this quarter (Q3, 2025–26 FY) | % previous quarter (Q2, 2025–26 FY) | % same quarter last FY (Q3, 2024–25 FY) | % change on same quarter last year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family day care | 93 | 93 | 88 | 5 |
| Long day care | 92 | 92 | 92 | 0 |
| Outside school hours care | 93 | 93 | 92 | 1 |
| Preschool | 98 | 98 | 99 | 0 |
Number and percentage of services by quality rating
Number of services by quality rating
The table below shows the number of ECEC services by quality rating as at 31 March 2026 (Q3, 2025–26). Figures for earlier quarters are provided for comparison.
| Quality rating | This quarter (Q3, 2025–26 FY) | Previous quarter (Q2, 2025–26 FY) | Same quarter last FY (Q3, 2024–25 FY) | % change on same quarter last year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excellent | 9 | 10 | 11 | -18 |
| Exceeding the NQS | 1,112 | 1,132 | 1,132 | -2 |
| Meeting the NQS | 4,279 | 4,238 | 4,162 | 3 |
| Working towards the NQS | 385 | 385 | 416 | -7 |
| Significant improvement required | 8 | 5 | 8 | 0 |
| Not rated | 357 | 342 | 367 | -3 |
| Total | 5,793 | 5,770 | 5,729 | 1 |
Percentage of services by quality rating
The table below shows the percentage of ECEC services by quality rating as at 31 March 2026 (Q3, 2025–26). Figures for earlier quarters are provided for comparison.
| Quality rating | % this quarter (Q3, 2025–26 FY) | % previous quarter (Q2, 2025–26 FY) | % same quarter last FY (Q3, 2024–25 FY) | % change on same quarter last year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excellent | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | <1 |
| Exceeding the NQS | 19 | 20 | 20 | <1 |
| Meeting the NQS | 74 | 73 | 73 | <1 |
| Working towards the NQS | 7 | 7 | 7 | <1 |
| Significant improvement required | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | <1 |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 100 | <1 |
Percentage of services meeting or exceeding the NQS according to quality area
| Quality area | % meeting or exceeding |
|---|---|
| 1. Educational program and practice | 97.1 |
| 2. Children's health and safety | 95.1 |
| 3. Physical environment | 98.0 |
| 4. Staffing arrangements | 97.7 |
| 5. Relationships with children | 98.7 |
| 6. Collaborative partnerships with families and communities | 99.5 |
| 7. Governance and leadership | 95.8 |
Last modified date
22/05/2026
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