Full list of childcare centres with ratings in Geelong and the Surf Coast

The manager of a Belmont kindergarten has revealed her centre’s secret to success, as every centre’s national rating is revealed. SEARCH FOR YOUR CENTRE’S RATING.

Marley, pictured having fun on the swings, is one of the many kids at Belmont Community Kindergarten benefiting from its high rating as a centre. Picture: Alan Barber

The play-based learning approach at the top rated Belmont Community Kindergarten means the children there are all smiles.

Barwon Child, Youth and Family (BCYF) runs the Kidman Ave centre which has an approved capacity of 58 students in its three- and four-year-old kindergarten program.

“We know the importance of a child’s early years and that delivering quality educational programs prepares children for success at kindergarten, school and throughout life,” early years education and community manager Julie Molloy said.

“Evidence shows that play-based learning is the most powerful way to support children’s wellbeing and development while nurturing the skills they need for their educational and life journey.”

Dara enjoys the play-based learning at his kindergarten. Picture: Alan Barber

The kindergarten is one of more than 50 of the Geelong region’s childcare centres with an overall rating of Exceeding National Quality Standards (NQS) according to the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA).

The ratings assess three-and four-year-old programs at kindergarten and childcare centres.

Ms Molloy said the program was a result of a strong partnership between kindergarten educators, supportive parent groups, BCYF and families, who “all contribute to ensuring children gain the best possible start to their education”.

A total of 56 centres across Geelong achieved the “exceeding” NQS rating as of February 2023.

“We’re thrilled that BCYF’s Geelong kindergartens continue to exceed national standards, reflecting the dedication, expertise and excellent service our early learning team provides to families in our community,” Ms Molloy said.

The majority of Geelong’s 210 centres included in ACECQA’s data as of February - 127 centres in total - were listed as meeting NQS.

Kai and Knox having some climbing fun at Belmont Community Kindergarten, rated as overall exceeding the national quality standards taken from seven key areas. Picture: Alan Barber

Seventeen centres had an overall rating of Working Towards NQS, while 10 did not have an applicable rating yet, according to ACECQA.

The overall ratings are taken from seven quality areas, including:

– Educational program and practice;

– Children’s health and safety;

– Physical environment;

– Staffing arrangements;

– Relationships with children;

– Collaborative partnerships with families and communities; and

– Governance and leadership.

An education department spokesman said: “With almost 90 per cent of early childhood services in Victoria meeting or exceeding the NQS, Victorian families can be confident their children are getting the best start to their education.”

There are a number of ways parents can decide the best centre for their child, including checking service quality ratings, visiting services in person, and speaking with educators and parents to learn more about a service’s ethos and how each child’s learning is supported through opportunities and experiences.

Parents can also look for a Kinder Tick logo at centres, confirming their child would be receiving a funded kindergarten program led by a qualified teacher.

Originally published as Full list of childcare centres with ratings in Geelong and the Surf Coast