The Excellent rating application
process explained
Application and
statements
Assessment and
rating report
Excellent
rating
decision
Additional
information
requested
Feedback from
regulatory
authority
The application is one part of the process
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The application
includes:
• the signed application form
• statement addressing the criteria, describing and explaining the
exceptional practices, programs or partnerships of your service
• support of your statements with evidence or examples
is:
• one part of the process
• an opportunity to think about and celebrate the hard work and
achievements of all involved in the service
• a chance to tell us how and why you do what you do
After reviewing your application, we may ask for additional
information through:
• a teleconference
• a site visit
• And/or a written request for further information
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Application - using the IDES
model
One of the ways you can present information about your service in your application for the Excellent
rating is using the IDES model. When addressing each criterion, use the following points, in the following
order, to form paragraphs:
I
IDENTIFY a practice, program or partnership in your service which is outstanding and which best fits the
criterion you are addressing.
D
DESCRIBE the practice, program or partnership in enough detail to indicate what it consists of and who is
involved.
E
EXPLAIN how the practice, program or partnership is exceptional and how it was developed and why. Also
explain reflection and improvement. Explain improved outcomes for the children and families who attend
and how you know this is the case.
S
SHOW the practice, program or partnership or its outcome. This could be expressed in writing and
expanded on in the teleconference.
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Addressing criterion 1
Identify:
• practices, programs and partnerships within your service that
best demonstrate how you are meeting the theme you are
addressing
Describe:
• what your practices, programs or partnerships involve
• how they are exceptional
Explain
• why you implemented the practices, programs or partnerships
• how you reflect on the practices, programs or partnerships
• how they show you are meeting the theme
• how they improve outcomes for children and families
Show
• evidence of your practices, programs or partnerships, and/or
positive outcomes for children and families that have resulted
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Questions to consider when
addressing criterion 1
How was it
initiated and
implemented?
Who was involved?
Was there a need
for the practice,
program or
partnership? How
does it meet the
need?
How is this
practice, program
or partnership
exceptional?
How has it
improved
outcomes for
children, families
and/or the
community?
What are the
practices, programs
or partnerships that
fits the criterion
you are addressing?
How is the
practice, program
or partnership
embedded in the
service?
How have you
evaluated the
success of the
practice, program
or partnership?
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Addressing criterion 2
Identify:
• practices, programs and partnerships that best demonstrate how you have taken the
lead role which has contributed to the development of a community, a local area
and/or the wider education and care sector
Describe:
• what your practices, programs or partnerships involve
• how they develop a community, a local area and/or the wider education and care
sector
Explain
• why you initiated and/or implemented the practices, programs or partnerships
• how you reflect on the practices, programs or partnerships
• how your practices, programs or partnerships show you are a leader
• how your practices, programs or partnerships have led to the development of a
community, local area or the wider education and care sector
Show
• examples of your practices, programs or partnerships, and examples of how a
community, local area or the wider education and care sector has been developed
because of your role as leader
• any positive outcomes for children and families you have achieved
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Questions to consider when
addressing criterion 2
Was there a need to
share the practice,
program or
partnership? How
has it met the need?
How does this
show you are a
leader?
Do you share your
service’s success
with, and mentor,
other services?
What practices,
programs or
partnerships have
contributed to the
development of a
community, a local
area and/or the wider
education and care
sector
How has this
developed the
community, local
area or wider
education and care
sector?
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What is your
service’s
leadership role?
What changes have
the community,
local area or other
services made as a
result?
Visualising excellent
leadership
a local area
Guiding
a community
the education
and care sector
Influencing
Inspiring
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Addressing criterion 3
Identify:
• ways you plan for the future and how you improve
• examples that show you are planning for the future and for improvement
• examples that show you have made improvements at your service
Describe:
•
•
•
•
how you plan for the future
how you will continue to improve the quality of your service
any things you would like to achieve and how you will do this
any ways you have made improvements at your service and how you did
this
Explain
• how your plans and actions show a commitment to forward planning and
continuous improvement
• how you will continue to improve outcomes for children and families
Show
• clearly detailed objectives for quality improvement plans, and any defined
timeframes, roles and responsibilities that help you meet your plans
• any planning documents you have
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Questions to consider when
addressing criterion 3
How did you
reflect on the
practice,
program or
partnership?
Which of your
service’s practices,
programs or
partnerships have
you improved?
How did you
act out these
plans?
In what way did
you question
how you could
improve the
practice,
program or
partnership?
How did you
plan to
improve the
practice,
program or
partnership?
Where would
you like to be
in 3 years
time?
Does your service
have clearly
detailed
objectives, and
timelines for
achieving these
objectives?
Are the roles
and
responsibilities
of staff at your
service clearly
defined?
How does your
service plan for
the future?
Do you share
your service’s
success with,
and mentor,
other services?
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Do your service’s
continuous
improvement
plans extend
beyond your
service?
Have you
developed clear
timelines for
reviewing and
implementing
your service’s
practices?
The Dos and Don’ts
Do:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
address each criterion
be clear and to the point
use current and recent examples
explain how your practice is of the very highest quality
explain how your practice responds to the unique
circumstances of the families and children who access
your service or the community in which the service
operates
explain how outcomes for children and families are
improved because of your service
describe any methods you use to document how
outcomes have been improved, or give examples of
where outcomes have been improved
note any professional documents or knowledge that has
informed your practice
refer to any innovative or inspiring practices
showcase and celebrate your service
Don’t:
•
use a consultant to develop you application
•
just provide photocopies of documents without explaining
how you use them
•
provide evidence that is not clearly linked to the criteria
•
assume we know every detail about your service
•
provide medical or other sensitive records that identify
individual children or their family by their full name
•
be modest! Make sure you explain what makes your service
exceptional!
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