Draft policy and funding guide

Provider requirements

Provider eligibility

Non-government providers may apply to become a ‘partner provider’ based on a set of core requirements.

This section outlines these core requirements and criteria to receive and maintain funding.

To be considered eligible for funding, providers must:

• be an approved provider under the Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010 (National Law) and the Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011 (National Regulations) and maintain approval
• have a centre-based care service approval under the National Law and National Regulations
• commit to quality education and care for children in the provider’s services and across their local network.
• meet organisational requirements as outlined below.

The OECD may consider the eligibility of providers that meet the preschool program objectives but are not currently approved providers under the National Law and National Regulations. In particular, ACCO-operated services that are not currently regulated under the National Law are encouraged to apply. The OECD has absolute discretion to determine provider eligibility.

Organisational requirements

Providers must meet the following organisational requirements:

• have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
• be registered for Goods and Services Tax (GST)
• demonstrate ongoing financial viability and declare to the OECD any previous legal or financial misconduct
• deliver the preschool program in an early education and care service operating under the National Law and National Regulations
• have relevant policies and procedures as required under Child Safety Legislation (Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017)
• hold $20m Public Liability Insurance, including coverage for allegations of historic or current child abuse.

Service eligibility

There are minimum requirements an individual service must meet to be eligible to apply. A service must meet the following criteria:

• hold and maintain centre-based care service approval under the National Law and National Regulations
• be assessed and rated as ‘meeting’ the National Quality Standards (NQS) or higher. If a service is ’working towards’ the NQS, they can apply if they agree to participate in an OECD-approved quality improvement program (see Quality Uplift program, below). These services will be assessed case by case, based on several factors including the quality areas assessed as working towards and elements not met
• have a degree-qualified early childhood teacher (ECT) or person with a Special Authority to Teach in place to deliver the preschool program – they must be working directly with the children and delivering the preschool program for the full hours claimed (excluding breaks)
• the service from which the preschool program is delivered must be located in South Australia
• the service must deliver 3-year-old preschool to be eligible for funding for both 3- and 4-year-old preschool under the new model.

The OECD has discretion to restrict services’ ability to participate in a funded preschool program. We may consider the eligibility of services that meet the preschool objectives but are not currently approved providers under the National Law and National Regulations. ​

Services not yet assessed against the NQS may apply to become a partner service. The OECD will consider several factors when considering whether to offer a funding agreement including:

• the outcomes of the post-approval visit by the Education Standard’s Board (ESB)
• the number and ratings of other services owned by the same provider
• the location of the provider
• the support available to the service.