Full list of Mackay’s best childcare centres and kindergartens rankings

Mackay’s childcare centres and kindergartens have been ranked based on government audits and parent feedback. SEE HOW YOUR CHILDCARE CENTRE FARED.

Mackay’s best childcare centre has been crowned, with the latest ratings data revealing the centre in the CBD rated near the top of the Queensland list.

Hot Tots Educational Centre on Paget St was ranked the best centre in the Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday regions, with 41 different preschools ranked.

Childcare app Kindicare based its rating from official Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority assessments, along with online reviews and parent ratings to determine the final results.

Ratings ranged from ‘excellent’ to ‘fair’, and used a score out of 10 to determine final positioning for the centres.

Mackay had five centres achieve a ‘very good’ rating, while the Whitsunday region had two and Isaac had one.

Goodstart Early Learning Child Care Centre on Shakespeare Street in Mackay was rated at 8.72 in the ACECQA ranking for 2022.

To receive a ‘very good’ rating, the centre must score between 8.50 and 8.99 out of 10, while scores of 9.00+ receive an ‘excellent’ rating.

Pioneer Community Kindergarten, a not-for-profit centre in North Mackay, scored 8.47 on the list.

Director Nic McCartney, who has worked at Pioneer for 25 years, said a kindergarten was only as good as its staff.

“Our staff are amazing, but not only that, the continuity of the staff is amazing,” she said.

“I’m in my 25th year here, but we have some teachers that have been here for 20 years, 15, 8, nobody wants to leave once they come through those doors.

“Families love knowing us and trusting us with their children which makes it an easy transition, because leaving their kids with strangers can be daunting for parents but it does make that process easier.

“I’m teaching the fourth and last child after teaching the previous three in one family, so developing those relationships are hugely important.”

Pioneer Community Kindergarten offers a varied program depending on the interests of its students.

Goodstart Early Learning Mackay Assistant Director Mandy Bosma and parent Melanie Bridge with her daughter Xanthe. Goodstart Early Learning rated 8.72 in January 2022. Picture: Daniel Harkin

Ms McCartney said it made the centre unique while still developing the required needs ahead of the student’s first year of school.

“We follow the interest of the children, so we learn what they’re interested in and teach them through their passions,” she said.

“While we’re teaching the interests of the children we’re incorporating the required needs for prep and their whole development.”

Despite enjoying a successful start to the 2022 school year, Ms McCartney said Covid had presented some issues with teaching.

“I’m totally in favour of wearing a mask, but it does make it difficult to convey facial expressions,” she said.

“The students are new to us but not being able to see our faces means they can’t easily pick up our expressions or how we’re responding.”

Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday’s best childcare facilities

8.94 - Hot Tots Educational Centre

8.88 - PCYC Mackay School Age Care

8.85 - Mackay Christian College Pre-Prep Learning Centre

8.85 - Whitsunday Anglican School Before and After School Care

8.85 - Whitsunday Anglican School Kindergarten

8.78 - Goodstart Early Learning Isaacs

8.72 - Goodstart Early Learning Mackay - Shakespeare St

8.56 - PCYC Whitsunday School Age Care

8.47 - Pioneer Community Kindergarten

8.40 - Mackay Child Care Centre