ICEQC-ORG-2120:2026 — Early Childhood Education Quality Applicability Module Status: Approved Version: Edition 2026 Additional ICEQC education quality requirements for early childhood education organizations and services. 1 Name 1.1 This document is ICEQC-ORG-2120, Early Childhood Education Quality Applicability Module. 2 Purpose 2.1 This Module establishes sector-specific application of ICEQC education quality requirements for early childhood education within a controlled certification scope. 3 Authority and application 3.1 This Module forms part of the ICEQC education organization certification architecture and applies to each certification scope component that provides early childhood education. 4 Certification object 4.1 The certification object remains the education organization and the exact scope confirmed under ICEQC-ORG-2000. 5 Selection rule 5.1 Required for each scope component that provides organized early learning or preschool education before ordinary primary schooling. 6 Inherited requirements 6.1 ICEQC-ORG-2000 and every applicable ICEQC-QF-1000 requirement continue to apply. This Module does not replace or reduce them. 7 Education-content boundary 7.1 ICEQC does not prescribe, authorize or approve substantive curriculum or subject content. The Module evaluates whether the organization controls the quality of its declared educational provision. 8 Voluntary certification boundary 8.1 Application of this Module does not confer authority to operate, award authority, institutional recognition, curriculum authorization or another regulated status. 9 No comparative status 9.1 This Module creates no score, rank, grade, star, tier, award or comparative position. 10 Scope profiles 10.1 Every applicable scope profile in Schedule 1 shall be recorded. A scope profile describes operating conditions and is not a certification level. 11 Core requirement treatments 11.1 The core treatments in Schedule 2 apply to the affected scope component. A treatment may strengthen or clarify a core requirement and shall not reduce it. 12 Evidence operation 12.1 A single controlled record may support more than one requirement where it is sufficient and traceable. Duplicate documents are not required solely to mirror clause numbering. 13 Early childhood scope and age-group control 13.1 The organization shall define and control the age groups, developmental stages, session types, care-education boundaries, sites, hours and services included in the early childhood scope. 13.2 Application — Applies to every certification object using this sector module. 13.3 Non-applicability — NA is not available for a mandatory sector requirement. 13.4 Determination — Conformity exists only where verified evidence establishes fulfilment of this requirement throughout every applicable scope component. 14 Pedagogical and developmental framework 14.1 The organization shall maintain an approved framework that connects declared educational purpose, age-appropriate experience, observation, interaction, environment and review without representing ICEQC as the author of the content. 14.2 Application — Applies to every certification object using this sector module. 14.3 Non-applicability — NA is not available for a mandatory sector requirement. 14.4 Determination — Conformity exists only where verified evidence establishes fulfilment of this requirement throughout every applicable scope component. 15 Child profile and needs 15.1 The organization shall obtain, protect and use sufficient information about each child's needs, routines, communication, interests, health dependencies and support arrangements to plan suitable participation. 15.2 Application — Applies to every certification object using this sector module. 15.3 Non-applicability — NA is not available for a mandatory sector requirement. 15.4 Determination — Conformity exists only where verified evidence establishes fulfilment of this requirement throughout every applicable scope component. 16 Family information and consent 16.1 The organization shall provide clear information and obtain controlled consent for material participation, contact, collection, imagery, digital use, health support, excursions and information sharing. 16.2 Application — Applies to every certification object using this sector module. 16.3 Non-applicability — NA is not available for a mandatory sector requirement. 16.4 Determination — Conformity exists only where verified evidence establishes fulfilment of this requirement throughout every applicable scope component. 17 Admission, settling and transition 17.1 The organization shall plan admission, settling-in, internal transition and exit according to the child's age, needs, family information and continuity requirements. 17.2 Application — Applies to every certification object using this sector module. 17.3 Non-applicability — NA is not available for a mandatory sector requirement. 17.4 Determination — Conformity exists only where verified evidence establishes fulfilment of this requirement throughout every applicable scope component. 18 Planned learning through experience and play 18.1 The organization shall plan and review age-appropriate learning experiences, play, interaction, routines and environments in relation to declared educational purposes and observed needs. 18.2 Application — Applies to every certification object using this sector module. 18.3 Non-applicability — NA is not available for a mandatory sector requirement. 18.4 Determination — Conformity exists only where verified evidence establishes fulfilment of this requirement throughout every applicable scope component. 19 Observation and developmental documentation 19.1 The organization shall ensure that observation and developmental documentation are purposeful, proportionate, respectful, traceable and used to inform educational planning without unsupported diagnosis. 19.2 Application — Applies to every certification object using this sector module. 19.3 Non-applicability — NA is not available for a mandatory sector requirement. 19.4 Determination — Conformity exists only where verified evidence establishes fulfilment of this requirement throughout every applicable scope component. 20 Individual support and referral boundary 20.1 The organization shall provide controlled educational support and shall refer a matter beyond its competence without presenting educational observation as a clinical, therapeutic or diagnostic conclusion. 20.2 Application — Applies to every certification object using this sector module. 20.3 Non-applicability — NA is not available for a mandatory sector requirement. 20.4 Determination — Conformity exists only where verified evidence establishes fulfilment of this requirement throughout every applicable scope component. 21 Child dignity, agency and voice 21.1 The organization shall protect each child's dignity and shall provide age-appropriate choice, communication, participation and response without coercion, humiliation or avoidable restriction. 21.2 Application — Applies to every certification object using this sector module. 21.3 Non-applicability — NA is not available for a mandatory sector requirement. 21.4 Determination — Conformity exists only where verified evidence establishes fulfilment of this requirement throughout every applicable scope component. 22 Staff-child interaction 22.1 The organization shall define, support and monitor warm, responsive, respectful and educationally purposeful staff-child interaction appropriate to age, communication and need. 22.2 Application — Applies to every certification object using this sector module. 22.3 Non-applicability — NA is not available for a mandatory sector requirement. 22.4 Determination — Conformity exists only where verified evidence establishes fulfilment of this requirement throughout every applicable scope component. 23 Supervision and accountability 23.1 The organization shall maintain continuous, role-defined and age-appropriate supervision, handover and accountability for each child throughout the scoped service. 23.2 Application — Applies to every certification object using this sector module. 23.3 Non-applicability — NA is not available for a mandatory sector requirement. 23.4 Determination — Conformity exists only where verified evidence establishes fulfilment of this requirement throughout every applicable scope component. 24 Arrival, collection and authorized handover 24.1 The organization shall verify and record authorized arrival, collection and handover and shall control late, disputed, emergency and unauthorized collection scenarios. 24.2 Application — Applies to every certification object using this sector module. 24.3 Non-applicability — NA is not available for a mandatory sector requirement. 24.4 Determination — Conformity exists only where verified evidence establishes fulfilment of this requirement throughout every applicable scope component. 25 Rest, hygiene, feeding and personal care 25.1 The organization shall control age-appropriate rest, hygiene, feeding, toileting and personal-care arrangements with dignity, consent, communication and competent supervision. 25.2 Application — Applies where the scoped service provides rest, feeding, toileting, hygiene or personal care. 25.3 Non-applicability — NA may be confirmed only where none of these activities is provided or controlled. 25.4 Determination — Conformity exists only where verified evidence establishes fulfilment of this requirement throughout every applicable scope component. 26 Health, medication and allergy interface 26.1 The organization shall identify and control material health, medication, allergy, first-response and emergency information within its role and shall obtain suitable recognized evidence for specialist dependencies. 26.2 Application — Applies to every certification object using this sector module. 26.3 Non-applicability — NA is not available for a mandatory sector requirement. 26.4 Determination — Conformity exists only where verified evidence establishes fulfilment of this requirement throughout every applicable scope component. 27 Environment and equipment suitability 27.1 The organization shall maintain age-appropriate, accessible and controlled indoor, outdoor, sleep, play and learning environments and equipment and shall address foreseeable misuse and changing developmental ability. 27.2 Application — Applies to every certification object using this sector module. 27.3 Non-applicability — NA is not available for a mandatory sector requirement. 27.4 Determination — Conformity exists only where verified evidence establishes fulfilment of this requirement throughout every applicable scope component. 28 Safeguarding and concern response 28.1 The organization shall provide clear, accessible and protected routes to recognize, record, escalate, respond to and review a child-protection concern without obstructing an authorized external response. 28.2 Application — Applies to every certification object using this sector module. 28.3 Non-applicability — NA is not available for a mandatory sector requirement. 28.4 Determination — Conformity exists only where verified evidence establishes fulfilment of this requirement throughout every applicable scope component. 29 Imagery, recording and digital communication 29.1 The organization shall control consent, capture, storage, access, sharing, retention and withdrawal for child imagery, recordings, learning applications and digital family communication. 29.2 Application — Applies where imagery, recording, learning applications or digital communication is used. 29.3 Non-applicability — NA may be confirmed only where none of these digital activities exists. 29.4 Determination — Conformity exists only where verified evidence establishes fulfilment of this requirement throughout every applicable scope component. 30 Personnel suitability, competence and continuity 30.1 The organization shall verify role suitability and early childhood competence before unsupervised responsibility and shall control induction, supervision, relief staffing and continuity of relationships. 30.2 Application — Applies to every certification object using this sector module. 30.3 Non-applicability — NA is not available for a mandatory sector requirement. 30.4 Determination — Conformity exists only where verified evidence establishes fulfilment of this requirement throughout every applicable scope component. 31 Emergency and continuity arrangements 31.1 The organization shall maintain child-accountability, family communication, essential-care and educational-continuity arrangements for disruption, evacuation, closure, staff shortage or system outage. 31.2 Application — Applies to every certification object using this sector module. 31.3 Non-applicability — NA is not available for a mandatory sector requirement. 31.4 Determination — Conformity exists only where verified evidence establishes fulfilment of this requirement throughout every applicable scope component. 32 Family feedback, complaint and review 32.1 The organization shall provide accessible, non-retaliatory and timely family feedback, concern, complaint and review routes and shall protect the child's continuing participation while a matter is considered. 32.2 Application — Applies to every certification object using this sector module. 32.3 Non-applicability — NA is not available for a mandatory sector requirement. 32.4 Determination — Conformity exists only where verified evidence establishes fulfilment of this requirement throughout every applicable scope component. 33 Developmental and transition claims 33.1 The organization shall ensure that any claim about development, readiness, school transition or programme effect is defined, supportable, appropriately limited and not presented as diagnosis or guaranteed outcome. 33.2 Application — Applies where a developmental, readiness, transition or effectiveness claim is made. 33.3 Non-applicability — NA may be confirmed only where no such claim exists. 33.4 Determination — Conformity exists only where verified evidence establishes fulfilment of this requirement throughout every applicable scope component. 34 Evidence planning 34.1 The assessment plan shall apply every module-specific minimum-evidence and sampling rule and shall expand verification where a material exception or risk is identified. 35 Assessment conclusions 35.1 Each applicable additional requirement shall receive C, NC or confirmed NA. A positive decision remains prohibited while any applicable unit does not conform or any nonconformity remains open. 36 Certificate scope 36.1 The certificate and public register may identify this Module only for the exact scope components completely assessed under its effective version. 37 Surveillance 37.1 Surveillance shall address decision-critical module requirements, changes, earlier findings, incidents, complaints, public claims and representative scope components. 38 Change control 38.1 A material change in sector, learner group, programme, discipline, delivery mode, site, platform, partner, equipment dependency or public claim shall trigger module-applicability review. --- ICEQC certification is voluntary and does not constitute governmental authorization, institutional licensing, programme accreditation, degree recognition or academic equivalency.