Are you judging the QIP?

It is important to make a good first impression.

A familiar saying and piece of advice that is gifted to us us when we head off to meet someone for the first time. There are some of us who believe in first impressions and then there are some of us who do not, more likely to let time tell, and also inclined to not judge a book by it’s cover.

Search first impressions and this is what you’ll find:

• You only get one chance to make a first impression.
• You have 4 seconds to make an impression and apparently, 4 years to change it.
• Appearances are often misleading.
• First impressions really do matter.

We have all met people who we ‘click’ with immediately and quickly build a relationship with, finding common ground and a sense of shared visions and attitudes. We immediately have a good impression of the person.

Other times we meet people and our spider sense’s start to tingle, sometimes called our gut feeling. In these instances, our body gives us signs that we should move forward with caution. Having said that, I am confident I am not alone in saying that my first impressions have at times, been completely wrong. For whatever reason, circumstances, emotional state or prior knowledge I have had a false first impression.

The title of a book, an article or publication is no different. Just as a person makes an impression on us, so does a headline. The headline can influence our mindset as we draw on the knowledge we have and it can influence our recall of the piece. Knowing this and writing about it made the title for this piece challenging to create.

This brings me to the QIP. The Quality Improvement Plan. Now stop here, how are you feeling? What did you think? What is your body telling you? What impression did this title give you when you read it for the first time?

Prior experiences, knowledge gained and how the QIP became part of your responsibility all contributes to your first impression. So, if the title is a barrier for you, and the thought of writing an improvement plan seems overwhelming I have a solution for you. A new title.

Quintessential Interpretation Piece

Quintessential (ADJECTIVE) representing the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class.

Yes, the QIP must be used to self-assess your service against the NQS and Regulations. The self-assessment will help you identify areas for improvement but your service Quintessential Interpretation Piece is about celebrating your strengths, use it to be showcase what is great about your work with children, families and the community. Document how you support the team and contribute to professional growth and development of everyone. Be proud.

Ref https://www.acecqa.gov.au/assessment/quality-improvement-plans