Quality Counts - NDNA's early years quality improvement scheme
A framework for continuous improvement with a focus on taking the whole staff team through the learning journey; evaluating the quality of their provision for children.
Quality Counts
The impact
Quality Counts has been developed in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and is based on academic research of best practice. On award, those settings undertaking the Certification Mark, can be sure they are doing all they can to provide the highest quality experiences for children
Embedding the process of a continuous cycle of review across the setting brings the whole team on board with quality improvement
Involving the whole staff team will ensure a consistent approach to quality
Quality Counts will identify skill gaps and support the development of individuals and teams
Settings that have adopted Quality Counts as part of continued improvement are able to demonstrate better outcomes for children at inspection.
Below you will find a video demonstration of how the system works.
Quality Counts
Reflect, review and improve your practice across four key areas
Hover over each section to get a brief description of what it’s all about. Want to find out more? Visit the NDNA website for full details and to purchase.
Buy Quality CountsHow it works
You can choose between completing the Online Audit and Review or the full Certification Mark.
The process must involve the whole staff team reflecting on practice against four key areas.
Evidence shows that early years settings and practitioners working towards and achieving Quality Counts, go on to achieve improved Ofsted inspection judgements, and provide better outcomes for children. The emphasis is on encouraging the whole staff team to work together striving for the same goals, which in turn also impacts on staff morale and motivation. The options to choose from are:
Online Audit & Review
Quality Counts framework, online access and online review only. This includes access to an online system which includes the Quality Counts statements, audit and exemplification documents for you to work through and complete. On completion, you will request an online review and receive critical feedback on areas where you and your staff team could improve. You have 12 months to complete this and can upgrade to the Certification Mark at any stage.
Certification Mark
On sign up you will be allocated a mentor to support you and your team though the journey of quality improvement. There is access to an evaluative survey that provides you with your starting point on your journey, looking at both manager and practitioner views. The framework includes an audit with statements broken down further into exemplifications that will guide staff to reflect against their existing practice. On completion of the audit you will upload key documents before submitting all for assessment. You will have an onsite assessment to validate practice against the statements and receive a report from NDNA. Following on site assessment, the assessor’s recommendation will go through NDNA's internal and external verification and the final award decision will be made. You have 12 months to complete Quality Counts from the date you sign up. Awarded settings will receive the Quality Counts logo to display on their website, email footer and stationery and awards pack which details further information about how to promote your award to existing and prospective parents to demonstrate your commitment to quality that improves outcomes for children.
