SUPS workers' perspectives of child care quality

Abstract

Quality child-rearing environments play a significant role in shaping positive long-term outcomes for children. In Australia, quality in child care is controlled both by state legislation and national accreditation. However, recent concerns expressed by a wide range of professionals and interested parties have led to the development of several projects by the author, each investigating concerns about child care quality. This report focuses on the perspectives of Supplementary Service (SUPS) workers, whose roles require them to visit and share experiences of children in various child care settings. SUPS workers in this study talked about their definitions of quality care, and shared stories about their experiences of what they perceive to be high and low quality child care.