Best childcare centres in Coffs Harbour revealed in latest data
The latest data has revealed the top 13 childcare centre in the Coffs region as some shoot up the rankings and others drop back a notch. See how your centre ranked in our full list.
Coffs Harbour
Don't miss out on the headlines from Coffs Harbour. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Maximising a child’s early learning potential is an important factor in choosing the right childcare centre.
It can be a challenging and daunting task for parents, who need to find a happy medium of cost and quality among a multitude of options.
The NSW Department of Education judges each centre on seven quality areas, such as educational programs and children's health and safety.
The ratings are then compared with other centres around NSW.
Here are the Coffs Harbour region childcare centres that are currently excelling, according to the The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority’s National Quality Framework.
Goodstart Early Learning Centre
Goodstart director Nicole Oaklands believes in a strong and honest approach to building relationships with families and their children.
“We have an open door policy which allows parents to feel supported and comfortable in addressing their needs, concerns and suggestions on an ongoing basis,” Ms Oaklands said.
She said Goodstart aimed to build relationships with parents just as much as with their children by upholding a transparent teaching philosophy,
“We have adapted to connect through storytelling on Facebook and activity plans on StoryPark,” she said.
She was proud of how the centre adapted through the pandemic challenges of 2021, as many centres faced staffing issues and had to switch their learning online.
“We even have successful zoom sessions which allow children to engage and interact with educators during times of extended absences,” Ms Oaklands said.
She said Goodstart engaged with the community to increase exposure to social issues within Coffs Harbour.
They have teamed up with local fundraisers and charities, including the Cex Sleepout, which works to raise awareness of homeless issues on the Coffs Coast.
Faith Family Early Learning Centre
Faith Family is all about providing children with a sense of purpose to inspire them to achieve their full potential.
Boasting six outdoor areas, children at Faith Family are able to spread their wings to maximise their learning opportunities.
Educational leader Alyce Parker said the different outdoor areas provided kids with a much needed sense of freedom.
“What sets Faith Family apart is our incredible natural, outdoor learning spaces, and our emphasis on giving children the freedom to be autonomous,” Ms Parker said.
The centre’s design is built to inspire children to think outside of the box and become creative, critical thinkers.
“Our outdoor play-spaces have been designed to inspire wonder and curiosity, while giving children opportunities to learn through taking risks, engaging their creativity and exploring their ideas,” Ms Parker said.
Faith Family is licensed for 116 children, from babies through until school.
3 Bears Cottage
A local family run business, 3 Bears has been owned by Renae Donovan for more than 20 years.
Ms Donovan is no stranger to caring for children and identifying what families want, as a mother of six herself.
3 Bears focuses on entire families, offering care for all 52 weeks a year, including public holidays.
“Parents still need to work during these times and finding alternative child care arrangements bring many challenges for busy families,” Ms Donovan said.
She said 3 Bears offered a unique experience for children through its outdoor and natural spaces.
“At 3 Bears you get to meet our chickens, adventure through our expansive beautiful outdoor gardens, while playing through nature in our mud kitchen and vegetable gardens,” Ms Donovan said.
She said the centre worked with families to build long lasting relationships, providing sense of collaboration to their children’s learning.
3 Bears also recognises opportunities to partner with the community.
“Collaborating and networking with other organisations with the community enhances educator learning,” Donovan said.
Possum’s Den
Possum’s Den offers a unique program, “Thinking Books”.
The program acts as a portfolio, documenting the children’s progress through interactions and their learning and development.
Director Trish Thorncroft said the books were regularly shared with families for their input and were conscientiously maintained by educators.
“Our program embraces children's holistic development with emphasis on social confidence, resilience and love for learning to build a platform for future success and a smooth transition to school,” Ms Thorncroft said.
Jungle Club
Family-run centre Jungle Club offers before and after school care with complimentary bus pick up and drop-home services.
It also features facilities such as a jungle gym and a putt-putt room.
Each day, children individually sit down and speak with a staff member to develop individual needs and interests.
Director Ben Watson said the centre’s teaching and programs were based around individual student interests that were gather through one-on-one “learn about me” forms.
On Fridays, Jungle Club offers a park excursion, allowing children to play outdoors and on the equipment.
Jungle Club also provides weekly cooking experiences.
Kulai Preschool Aboriginal Corporation
Kulai Preschool is an Aboriginal Not For Profit Organisation providing early childhood education for Aboriginal children and families.
The preschool is licensed for 49 children each day aged 3-5 years.
Director Julie Carey said the preschool aimed to present a significant focus on Aboriginal cultural perspectives.
“A majority of our employees are Aboriginal with an average of 25 years of service at Kulai,” she said.
Mrs Carey said strong ties to the Aboriginal community had been built by a management team consisting of parents, grandparents and elders within the Aboriginal community.
“This has contributed to educators forming trusting relationships with families over many generations,” Mrs Carey said.
The children are taught traditional songs and greetings in the local Gumbaynggirr language.
The preschool uses the Early Years Learning Framework curriculum, which emphasises that childhood is a time of belonging, being and becoming.
The preschool includes a spacious outdoor learning environment with over 80 native plant species situated throughout the playground which also contribute to the children's learning on country.
FULL LIST: STANDARDS - Meeting or Exceeding National Quality Framework
Hands and Hearts Early Learning Centre COFFS HARBOUR Exceeding
Coffs Harbour Preschool Association Incorporated COFFS HARBOUR Exceeding
Brayside Community Preschool Incorporated COFFS HARBOUR Exceeding
Gumnut Cottage Child Care Centre COFFS HARBOUR Exceeding
Happy Days Preschool and Long Day Care Centre COFFS HARBOUR Exceeding
Possum’s Den Coffs Harbour COFFS HARBOUR Exceeding
Hopscotch Too Preschool/Childcare BOAMBEE Exceeding
The Mountain Preschool, Lowanna Incorporated LOWANNA Exceeding
Goodstart Early Learning Toormina TOORMINA Exceeding
Community OOSH Services Fun Factory Toormina TOORMINA Exceeding
Toormina Community Preschool Inc TOORMINA Exceeding
Goodstart Early Learning Moonee Beach MOONEE BEACH Exceeding
Community OOSH Services (Woolgoolga) WOOLGOOLGA Exceeding
3 Bears Cottage Early Education Service COFFS HARBOUR Meeting
Goodstart Early Learning Coffs Harbour COFFS HARBOUR Meeting
Young Explorers Preschool and Long daycare COFFS HARBOUR Meeting
Faith Family Early Learning Coffs Harbour COFFS HARBOUR Meeting
Kulai Preschool Aboriginal Corporation COFFS HARBOUR Meeting
Lilly Pilly Early Learning Centre COFFS HARBOUR Meeting
Mid Coast Family Day Care COFFS HARBOUR Meeting
Community OOSH Services PCYC COFFS HARBOUR Meeting
Bishop Druitt College OSHC COFFS HARBOUR Meeting
Coffs Harbour & District Family Day Care Scheme COFFS HARBOUR Meeting
Jungle Club COFFS HARBOUR Meeting
Jetty Montessori Preschool COFFS HARBOUR Meeting
Ohana Early Learning - 13 Scarba COFFS HARBOUR Meeting
St Augustine‘s Out of School Hours Care COFFS HARBOUR Meeting
Coffs Harbour Montessori Preschool KORORA Meeting
Community OOSH Services Kororo KORORA Meeting
Glenreagh Preschool Incorporated GLENREAGH Meeting
Lower Bucca Community Preschool Incorporated BUCCA Meeting
Nana Glen Preschool NANA GLEN Meeting
Valley Preschool UPPER ORARA Meeting
Petit Early Learning Journey Coffs Harbour NORTH BOAMBEE VALLEY Meeting
Ohana Early Learning - North Boambee NORTH BOAMBEE VALLEY Meeting
Treehouse Early Years Learning Centre BOAMBEE Meeting
Little Hands Preschool Boambee BOAMBEE EAST Meeting
Little Hands Preschool Toormina TOORMINA Meeting
Gamumbi Early Childhood Education Centre Incorporated TOORMINA Meeting
Lilly Pilly South Early Learning Centre TOORMINA Meeting
Mary Help of Christians Out of School Hours Care TOORMINA Meeting
Green Leaves Early Learning Moonee Beach MOONEE BEACH Meeting
Sandy Beach Early Learning Centre & Long Day Care SANDY BEACH Meeting
Bangalee Early Learning Centre SANDY BEACH Meeting
Ohana Early Learning - Emerald Village EMERALD BEACH Meeting
Rainbow Cottage Early Learning Centre WOOLGOOLGA Meeting
Billabong Kids Central Woolgoolga WOOLGOOLGA Meeting
Tiny Treasures Preschool Long Day Care Centre CORINDI BEACH Meeting
Cow and Koala Professional Child Care COFFS HARBOUR Working Towards
Park Beach Child Care Centre COFFS HARBOUR Working Towards
Shining Little Stars Academy COFFS HARBOUR Working Towards
Footprints Early Learning Centre BOAMBEE Working Towards
Country Cubs Vacation/After School Care CORAMBA Working Towards
Country Cubs Preschool & Long Day Care CORAMBA Working Towards
Mullaway Early Years Learning Centre MULLAWAY Working Towards
Coffs Harbour sale and auction results, week ending June 21
Coffs Harbour proved to be a hot market last week with seven properties selling for a total value of $5.6 million. See the latest auction and sales results.
Blood stains link in Ballina murder trial
Multiple blood stains found on a variety of items in a laneway behind an op-shop where 64-year-old Lindy Lucena was found dead have been linked to her accused killer, a trial has heard.