Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday best and worst childcare and kindergarten facilities ranked

See which Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday childcare providers are failing to meet government standards and how they stack up against the rest of the state, as some of the best share the secrets to success. SEE THE FULL LIST

A delicate approach and catering to different needs of children is the philosophy behind some of Mackay’s top childcare facilities.

The region was well represented in the new government audit, with 18 of Mackay’s facilities rated in the top bracket at the October 27 rating period.

C&K Eimeo Road Community Kindergarten director Belinda Rule said putting the children’s needs first was key to a positive response.

“We have 86 children enrolled, with 58 of the kids with additional needs,” she said.

C&K Community Kindergarten in North Mackay. This childcare facility was rated as exceeding expectations on October 27, 2021. Picture: Matthew Forrest

“No days are alike, they come from different walks of life with different needs, so we wanted to play more in the inclusion space and have that support.”

Hot Tots Educational Centre service manager Michelle Thomas said it was important for all of the children to feel included.

“We have a child who is deaf, so the educators have completed some AUSLAN training and have taught that to the children, so the student can feel included,” she said.

“We’ve retained our educators and try to have a low turnover to keep families feeling connected to the staff.

“Four of us have been here for more than 10 years, some of our students have grown up and had kids of their own and enrolled them here.”

Alligator Creek

PCYC Mackay – Alligator Creek SAC – Working towards NQS

Andergrove

Adeona – Exceeding NQS

Mackay Children and Family Centre – Meeting NQS

Enhance Family Day Care – Blue River – Meeting NQS

Goodstart Early Learning Andergrove – Meeting NQS

Camp Australia – Andergrove State School OSHC – Meeting NQS

Kidzplay and Learning Centre – Meeting NQS

MacKillop Outside School Hours Care – Meeting NQS

Whitsunday Anglican School Kindergarten – Working towards NQS

Kookaburra Child Care Centre – Working towards NQS

Mackay Cubbie House Childcare and Educational Centre nominated supervisor Noreen McNamara with Hunter, 3 and Jayda Grubb, 1. Mackay Cubbie House Childcare and Educational Centre was rated ‘working towards NQS’ in the government audit on October 27. Picture: Tony Martin

Beaconsfield

C&K Beaconsfield Community Kindergarten – Exceeding NQS

Whitsunday Anglican School Before and After School Care – Meeting NQS

Camp Australia – Beaconsfield State School OSHC – Meeting NQS

Carlisle Adventist College Outside School Hours Care – Working towards NQS

Mackay Cubbie House Childcare and Educational Centre – Working towards NQS

Ryder Tate, 3 from Mackay Cubbie House Childcare Centre loves his reading. Mackay Cubbie House Childcare and Educational Centre was rated ‘working towards NQS’ in the government audit on October 27. Picture: Tony Martin

Bowen

Kidz at the Beach – Exceeding NQS

Bowen/Collinsville Family Day Care Scheme – Exceeding NQS

C&K Queens Beach Community Kindergarten – Exceeding NQS

Bowen Childcare and Early Education – Meeting NQS

The Beach Hut Queens Beach Outside School Hours Care – Meeting NQS

Goodstart Early Learning Bowen – Meeting NQS

Cannonvale

PCYC Whitsunday – Cannonvale School Age Care – Meeting NQS

C&K Whitsunday Kindergarten – Meeting NQS

PCYC Whitsunday School Age Care – Meeting NQS

Whitsunday Christian College Outside School Hours Care Service – Meeting NQS

Dysart

Dysart Kindergarten – Exceeding NQS

Lady Gowrie Dysart Childcare and Community Space – Meeting NQS

Eimeo

Goodstart Early Learning Eimeo – Meeting NQS

C&K Eimeo Road Community Kindergarten director and teacher Belinda Rule with Addison Palmer, 4, Storm McLean, 5, and Anna-Marie Slater, 4. Picture: Heidi Petith

Mackay

Hot Tots Educational Centre – Exceeding NQS

Goodstart Early Learning – Exceeding NQS

C&K East Mackay Community Kindergarten – Exceeding NQS

Mackay Kindergarten and Preschool – Exceeding NQS

Mackay Child Care Centre – Meeting NQS

Goodstart Early Learning Mackay – Macalister Street – Meeting NQS

Mackay Family Day Care Scheme – Meeting NQS

St Francis Xavier Outside School Hours Care – Meeting NQS

Carlisle Adventurist Early Learning Centre – Meeting NQS

C&K Slade Point Community Kindergarten – Meeting NQS

After School & Holiday care – Meeting NQS

Teaching director of C&K North Mackay Community Kindergarten Emily Phillips. C&K North Mackay Community Kindergarten was deemed to be ‘meeting NQS’ in the government audit on October 27.

Marian

C&K Marian Community Kindergarten – Exceeding NQS

PCYC Mackay – Marian School Age Care – Meeting NQS

Petit Early Learning Journey Marian – Meeting NQS

Moranbah

C&K Moranbah Community Kindergarten and Preschool – Meeting NQS

Bright Kids Afterschool Care – Meeting NQS

Moranbah Early Learning Centre Outside School Hours Care

Simply Sunshine Childcare Centre – Working Towards NQS

Moranbah Early Learning Centre – Working Towards NQS

Aja-Pearl Latu, 4, with C&K Eimeo Road Community Kindergarten director and teacher Belinda Rule. Picture: Heidi Petith

North Mackay

Mackay Christian College Pre-Prep Learning Centre – Exceeding NQS

Goodstart Early Learning North Mackay – Meeting NQS

PCYC Mackay School Age Care – Meeting NQS

St Joseph’s Outside School Hours Care – Meeting NQS

Pioneer Community Kindergarten – Meeting NQS

Camp Australia – Mackay North State School OSHC – Meeting NQS

Mackay Christian College Outside School Hours Care – Meeting NQS

C&K Mackay North Community Kindergarten – Meeting NQS

PCYC SAC – Fitzgerald School Age Care – Meeting NQS

Snugglepot Kindyland – Working towards NQS

Story time at C&K East Mackay Community Kindergarten with Dawson MP George Christensen. C&K North Mackay Community Kindergarten was deemed to be ‘meeting NQS’ in the government audit on October 27.

Ooralea

Ooralea Education and Care Centre – Exceeding NQS

Proserpine

Whitsunday Shire Family Day Care Scheme – Exceeding NQS

C&K Proserpine Community Kindergarten – Exceeding NQS

Goodstart Early Learning Proserpine – Meeting NQS

Proserpine Public Kindergarten – Meeting NQS

St Catherine’s Kindergarten – Meeting NQS

St Catherine’s Outside School Hours Care – Meeting NQS

Rural View

C&K Eimeo Road Community Kindergarten – Exceeding NQS

Sarina

Sarina and District Community Kindergarten – Meeting NQS

Grandma’s Place – Meeting NQS

Kids College at Sarina – Meeting NQS

C&K Hoey Street Community Kindergarten – Meeting NQS

South Mackay

Birralee Child Care Centre – Meeting NQS

C&K South Mackay Community Kindergarten – Meeting NQS

Walkerston

C&K Walkerston Community Kindergarten – Exceeding NQS

PCYC Mackay – Walkerston School Age Care – Meeting NQS

Goodstart Early Learning Walkerston – Meeting NQS

Walkerston Day Care Centre – Meeting NQS

Wonder Kids Early Learning Centre – Working Towards NQS

West Mackay

St Francis Xavier Catholic Kindergarten – Exceeding NQS

Goodstart Early Learning Bridge Road One – Meeting NQS

Kidzplay & Learning Centre West – Meeting NQS

St Francis Xavier Early Years Outside School Age Care – Meeting NQS

PCYC Mackay – Mackay West School Age Care – Meeting NQS