Southeast Qld’s best and worst childcare centres revealed | full list

Take a look at the top-performing childcare centres in Brisbane, Logan, Moreton Bay and Redlands — and also those which have work to do to meet national standards. FULL LIST

We entrust the care of our children to them, and mostly our childcare centres do a marvellous job of nurturing southeast Queensland’s littlies.

It’s a tough job, as any parent who’s looked around at drop-off or pick-up time can attest.

Only nine childcare centres in Queensland were able to achieve an excellent rating from the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority.

Worryingly, about 360 Queensland centres do not meet ACECQA benchmarks however.

Childcare centres aren’t being checked regularly enough by regulators, with 360 Queensland centres still rated as “working towards” national quality benchmarks, a peak lobby group says.

Early Childhood Australia chief executive Sam Page said a lot could change over the years and more regular checks would give parents more confidence in the ratings.

“Our preference would be that the initial intention of checking services every three years would be implemented,” she said.

“I know that regulatory authorities will say they need a lot more resourcing to do that.

“But a lot can happen in three years.

At the other end of the spectrum, the 330-plus southeast Queensland centres to achieve top ratings are a testament to hard work, attention to detail and above all, love for children.

The handful who achieved the highest rating, “excellent’’, all said it was what they did over and above the requirements that set them apart.

Bribie Island Community Kindergarten director teacher, Narelle Dawson, said their centre achieved an excellent rating in 2014, 2017 and last year because it took the “community’’ part if its name seriously.

Bribie Island Community Kindergarten children explore the nature trail.

“We’re heavily embedded with our community. That in turn builds little people,’’ she said.

“The men’s shed just popped in, for example, and dropped off a sand and water wheel they made for the kids.

“We visit aged care centres on the island every week (except during Covid restrictions) and we have a strong relationship with the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

“We’ve applied for an indigenous language grant to keep the language alive and teach the children.’’

The centre was also very proud of a nature trail it had created, over a long period, with interpretative signs explaining traditional names and uses of 27 plants and trees.

And a community garden cared for by the children was also open to the community to enjoy.

Everton Park Childcare and Development Centre, which achieved an excellent rating in 2016 and 2019, said its points of difference were its natural setting, focus on adventurous play and allowing children to pursue their own interests.

“We’re classed as a bush kindy — we don’t have to take the children off site for them to enjoy nature,’’ director Hilary Webb said.

“We don’t have toys outside. Instead there are movable things like milk crates, pipes, branches and bricks.

“What we’ve found is the children’s play has been more imaginative and collaborative since we got rid of toys outside (there are still toys inside) and less fights.

Children get busy building a hut at Everton Park childcare centre.

“A stick can become a wand, or a boat, or something to build with.’’

The adventurous play philosophy meant children were allowed to do things such as climb a tree, but under direction — so they were told to check how strong branches were and how to climb back down.

“You’re helping them, not doing it for them.’’ Ms Webb said.

John Paul College OSHC, in Logan, has achieved a rare trifecta of excellent ratings — in 2013, 2016 and 2019. It was also the first in the nation to be awarded three back-to-back excellent ratings.

Head of OSHC Jan Marxsen said that took a lot of hard work and, above all, a dedicated staff who had a love for children.

“There are a lot of requirements you have to achieve to get an excellent rating, but what holds you above others is the love and care,’’ she said.

“The staff gain a lot of exposure here that holds them in good stead for those who are up-and-coming teachers.

“As an Early Learning Centre to Year Twelve Co-educational Ecumenical College, we have children from all faiths and backgrounds.

“We aim To Educate, To Inspire and To Make a Difference every day and this is reflected in our award winning OSHC program.”

Ms Marxsen, who has been head of OSHC for two decades, said experience was also vital in reading children and learning how to deal with them.

Thomasine Morris, 4, Frankie Moss, 5, and Henrietta Hacking, 3, at Ashgrove Memorial Kindergarten. Picture: Tara Croser

Ashgrove Memorial Kindergarten in Brisbane’s inner west is another of the nine Queensland centres to score an excellent rating.

Director Carol Braunack said she was delighted the kindergarten had been recognised as one of just 35 out of more than 16,000 services across the country to achieve the top rating.

“It is a lovely tribute to our practices and the dedication of our team,” she said.

Ms Braunack, who has been in the industry for more than 40 years, said she often had the pleasure of teaching the children of her former kindy students.

“The children and their families love being here because of our focus on strong relationships,” she said.

“We are a very experienced team, and we have generations of families coming through.’’

Indooroopilly Montessori Children’s house was the only other Greater Brisbane childcare centre to attain an excellent rating.