Ballina Shire childcare centre ratings revealed

The director of a leading preschool has revealed what keeps her team at the top of their game after 45 years in the industry. See which centres are exceeding expectations and which ones are not.

Ballina Fox Street Preschool director Lea May — surrounded by Connor, Thea and Pippi, all aged 4, — celebrated the positive rating received from the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority. Picture: Contributed

Ballina Shire kindergartens have been named among the best in Northern NSW.

Seven centres located in Ballina and Lennox Head have been rated as exceeding standard by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority.

Centres are rated as excellent, exceeding standard, meeting standard, working towards standard and significant improvement required.

One of the centres that received an “exceeding’ rating was Fox Street Preschool.

The centre has offered early education to hundreds of local residents for more than 45 years.

Director Lea May said the centre offered a natural and welcoming environment to children.

“We pride ourselves in the structure and delivery of our two-year transition to school program, viewing children as strong, independent, capable and resilient,” Ms May said.

“Our team of qualified and experienced educators collaboratively work together to provide a rich learning environment where they can develop secure and respectful relationships with children and their families.

Ballina Fox Street Preschool director Lea May reads to Isla and Asher, aged 4. Picture: Contributed

his“These relationships evidently have a significant effect on their involvement and engagement in our learning environment which leads to success in learning.”

Ms May attributed the results to her team of educators ongoing work on quality improvement.

“Over the past 45 years our service has been involved in continual changes to our physical environment, programming practice and the delivery of our documentation,” she said.

“Our intention is to ensure we are seen as professionals who continually work hard to provide the best quality early education and learning experiences for our children and their families.”

The above data is accurate as of October, 2021, according to the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority.

There were three Ballina Shire centres deemed to be working towards industry standard.

Meanwhile, two centres were not rated by the authority: Active Kids After School Care in Ballina and Imagine Childcare and Preschool in West Ballina.