Ipswich’s top childcare centres and those failing national standards revealed

Among Ipswich’s child care facilities failing national standards are out of school hours programs and PCYC centres. See how your child’s centre rates. FULL LIST

The Ipswich community entrusts the education, care and development of their most valued and vulnerable family members to a range of child care facilities across the city, but some failed to meet national standards.

PCYC Ipswich School Age Care, Ipswich East State School Out Of Hours School Care, and Enhance Family Day Care failed to meet the National Quality Standard. Picture: Google Maps

A majority of Ipswich’s 17 child care facilities are meeting the National Quality Standard which sets a high benchmark across seven categories.

The areas include education, health and safety, environment, staff, and relationships with children and families.

Although three centres failed overall to meet those standards, only one of those facilities failed to met the children’s health and safety requirements.

Ipswich is home to one of Queensland’s oldest and best community kindergartens where fourth generation families return to the 84-year-old facility so their children can experience the same love and support they themselves fondly remember.

Milford Street Ipswich Kindergarten Inc continuously exceeded the national standards and the passionate and dedicated staff who go above and beyond have a joint nine decades of experience teaching at the kindy.

Director and teacher Lynette Rogers said their connection to the children and their families doesn’t and never has stopped at the gate.

Ipswich Kindergarten director of 17-years Lynette Rogers said her kindy’s passion and commitment to early learning helped them meet the national standards. Picture: Peta McEachern

“Past director (of 41 years) Vicky Doig coined the phrase, ‘once you walk through the front gate you become a part of the Milford Street family and you will always be a part of the Milford Street family,’” Mrs Rogers said.

“It’s about building relationships and supporting families in lots of different ways.”

Mrs Rogers said she wouldn’t change her rewarding yet challenging profession in a million years.

“If I can set that solid foundation, then anything constructed on top of that will be strong,” she said.

“There’s still a connection you have with them years down the track and it’s amazing that feeling you get when you know you’ve made a difference.”

Future leaders playing at Milford Street Kindy on Thursday, October 22, which backs onto Ipswich Queens Park. Picture: Peta McEachern

An integral part of a child’s early learning is early intervention in health and learning difficulties and Mrs Rogers said more needs to be done at all levels of government to ensure every child is getting the individual support they need.

“We’re usually the first port of call in picking things up… but then families are put on extremely long waiting lists that can take up to 18 months,” she said.

“Supporting children to build their capacity and meet their individual needs is important and putting money in at this stage will create changes in society further down the track.

“We need to be investing in early childhood more and giving it the respect and importance it deserves.

“Changes are happening but it’s not coming fast enough.”

In September the Queensland Government announced a $40m Kindy Uplift pilot program to help the education and development needs of young children, especially those who are disadvantaged.

Education minister Grace Grace said the program would be implanted at 400 kindergartens – including Ipswich Kindergarten.

“We know the benefits that flow from kindergarten and early education. (Although), not all kids arrive at the kindy gate with the same capability levels.” Ms Grace said.

“Kindy Uplift aims to help around 13,500 Queensland children each year get the most out of their time at kindy.

“For example, funding could be used to introduce a wellbeing support program for kids who are doing it tough.”

The program will be implemented at centres in Ipswich, Springfield, Silkstone, Sadliers Crossing, Rosewood, Redbank Plains, Raceview, North Booval, Newtown, Augustine Heights, Brassall, Bundamba, Karalee, and Goodna.

Mrs Rogers said she was incredibly proud of her facility and staff for meeting the National Standards but noted that just because another may fail doesn’t mean it’s an unsafe environment.

“It doesn’t necessarily mean they’re doing a bad job, it just means that there might be things they’re working on to improve,” she said.

“Especially new centres… it takes time to meld as a team and to build connections and relationships.

“For some it is very hard to find experienced staff.”

A part of the struggle for other centres to find experienced staff Mrs Rogers said, had to do with low wages and a stigma around childcare being ‘babysitting’ rather than a skilful profession.

“The awards don’t encourage a lot of people to come or stay,” she said.

“It needs to be looked at because these children are out future.”

The Fair Work Commission raised the minimum wage by 2.5 per cent in July which provided a small boost to childcare educator’s pay.

Meaning those at the lower end of the scale with a certificate III in childcare were to be paid $23.66 per hour.

Search for your childcare centre in the chart below for a breakdown on whether it’s meeting the national standards or not: