The national framework which seeks to boost child-carer qualifications and lower staff-to-child ratios has received a broad tick of approval from parents and the child care sector, according to a government-ordered review.
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Based on the opinions of more than 1,300 childcare professionals who attended consultation sessions, as well as more than 180 formal submissions, the report by Woolcott Research found the majority of those in the sector think the national quality framework has resulted in an improved quality of early childhood education and care.
This included a boost in the professionalisation of the workforce, in part due to the increased focus on professional learning and development.
The framework was introduced under the Gillard government in 2012 with agreement from state and territory governments. The current review was built into the agreement between governments at the time. As part of this, Woolcott Research was tasked with consulting with families and childcare experts about the framework.
While the Coalition supported the national quality framework "in principle" in the lead-up to the federal election last year, it has raised concerns about reports that the framework was causing administrative problems and that costs were being passed on to families.
The findings come after the Productivity Commission's draft report into childcare found in July that while there is "broad support" for the national quality framework in the childcare sector, changes could be made to reduce costs "without compromising quality".
While some of those consulted by Woolcott questioned the paperwork involved with the framework, the "general view" was that the sector was still undergoing a transition and that further amendments to the framework should not be made until it was fully implemented.
The consultation also found that many families had noticed improved quality in the provision of quality education and care over the last two years, even if their awareness of the framework was "extremely limited".
Early Childhood Australia, which has been a vocal supporter of the national quality framework, welcomed the consultation findings.
"This review reiterates the early childhood sector's support for improving the quality of early childhood education and care to ensure that all young children get the best start in life," chief executive Samantha Page said.
The federal minister responsible for childcare, Sussan Ley, said the government remained committed to the framework.
"But services also need to be able to realistically and practically implement and deliver it if we want a high-quality childcare system that doesn't adversely drive up fees like we saw under Labor," she said.
Labor's spokeswoman for early childhood, Kate Ellis, said the Abbott government "must promise not implement cheap and nasty child care reform".
