'Quality Counts' for day nurseries

What is Quality Counts?
'Quality Counts' is the Investors in Children endorsed accreditation scheme of NDNA. It is based on portfolio building, mentoring, training, self-assessment and independent assessment, leading to the award of Quality Counts accreditation.

Benefits of Quality Counts

Benefits for Children

• Develops, encourages and maintains high standards in care and education for the benefit of children, their family units and their local communities
• Research shows that good-quality childcare benefits children by positively affecting cognitive, language, social and
  emotional development. 

Benefits for Parents

• Provides a kite-mark to inform parental choice of childcare and reassurance and confidence in the quality of the setting
• Quality Counts standards encourage and facilitate partnerships with parents in the care and early education of their child. 

Benefits for Staff

• Creates a positive culture of continuous improvement, thereby increasing staff involvement and commitment to team building
• Delivers positive benefits for staff motivation and empowerment, promoting increased retention of staff. 

Benefits for the Setting

• The portfolio stands as a living document that settings can refer to on a daily basis to train and educate new staff and work to consistent policies and procedures
• Provides evidence to meet Ofsted requirements and those of other quality awards, including Investors in People. 

How does Quality Counts work?

• The Quality Counts journey will take between 6 months to 2 years. Some time each week should be set aside to work on the scheme. It is important the whole staff team understands the process and is fully involved 
• The Quality Counts award and Investors in Children kite-mark is valid for 3 years. The setting should apply for re-assessment 6-12 months before the 'valid until date'
• The scheme is based on portfolio-building, self-assessment and mentoring, including telephone support and independent assessment. The setting works towards ten compulsory modules and four optional modules before assessment and accreditation
• Nurseries taking up the scheme will be offered a free place on the introductory NDNA training day 'Preparing for Accreditation'. The course covers achieving quality and quality assurance, researching and evidencing good practice, managing change, involving staff, and working with the Quality Counts manual
• A telephone and email helpline operates while the setting works through the scheme independently
• The setting undertakes self-assessment to ensure that it has addressed all the criteria and is ready for external assessment
• When the staff within the setting feel that they are ready, an independent assessor will visit
• Settings receive a manual including all materials necessary;a helpline and independent assessment.

How do I find out more? 
Visit the National Day Nurseries website for more information: www.ndna.org.uk

All early years and childcare settings can apply for funding to assist them to undertake the above scheme. The EYDCP is currently reviewing its application criteria and funding.  Enquiries should be directed to Kay Watling 023 8083 2148 kay.watling@southampton.gov.uk