Critical Reflection – Impact and Implementation with Dr Debra Williams

The National Quality Standard (NQS) is the benchmark for quality in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) within Australia. Reflective practice is at the core of the NQS (ACECQA, 2013) in order to raise standards and inform future planning and decision making (COAG, 2009; Kennedy, 2011). Critical reflection is identified as foundational to good practice with educators expected to engage in a “lively culture of professional inquiry” (DEEWR, 2009, p. 13) with reflection ensuring a way of continued improvement to raise standards. This session reports on a research study that explored the impact and implementation of critical reflection as part of the National Quality Standard (NQS) in ECEC. Critical reflection positively impacts both operations of services and the learning environment.

Debra has an extensive background over many years in Early Childhood in NSW, Queensland and Victoria in varied roles including Validator, Consultant, Lecturer, Facilitator, Adviser, Mentor, Publisher, Director, Accreditation Supervisor and Manager. She holds both a degree and postgraduate qualifications in Education, including a Doctor of Philosophy, ECT NESA accreditation, Diploma of Management and TAE. Her research interests include pedagogy, critical reflection, learning and leadership.