Best childcare centres in the Southern Highlands | Full list
Eight childcare centres across the region exceeded the National Quality Standards set out to improve the quality of care children receive. Find out which local educators are the top performers.
The Bowral News
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Childcare is becoming increasingly more valuable as the population of the Southern Highlands grows, but it can be hard to know which centres are the best for children.
Childcare centres are assessed by the NSW Department of Education on seven quality areas, such as educational programs and physical environment, and given their ratings.
While no Southern Highlands childcare centres were rated in the highest category of ‘Excellent’, these eight local centres all exceeded the National Quality Standards set by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority.
These are the best-performing childcare centres in the region.
Bundanoon Community District Preschool
Location: Bundanoon
Bundanoon Community District Preschool has consistently been rated as one of the best childcare centres in the Southern Highlands, with a proven track record of exceeding industry standards.
With the biggest capacity on this list of top preschools, the centre offers 86 places to local children, but the volume doesn’t lessen the centre’s dedication to nurturing the kids.
The preschool emphasises a child-centric approach to care and uses the benefits of the beautiful Southern Highlands environment for outdoor learning.
Although the centre is rated as exceeding standards, it meets the criteria to be ranked as ‘Excellent’ – the best rating available for a childcare centre in Australia.
Mittagong Preschool Kindergarten
Location: Mittagong
Mittagong Preschool Kindergarten on Waverly Parade is a unique preschool run by parents who volunteer their time. The preschool is a not-for-profit preschool focusing on a holistic approach to childcare in a community setting.
Director of Mittagong Preschool Kindergarten Pauline Iacono said the collaborative approach to childcare has been integral to the centre’s success.
“That community context is really important. We’re built on that,” she said.
After being the Director of the preschool for 16 years, Ms Iacono said she had learned the key to getting better is to constantly review practices and engage with those involved.
“I think quality service provision is very much based in critical reflection of programming and practices, and working towards continuous improvement,” she said.
The preschool aims to create an inclusive environment for kids to focus on “becoming, being and belonging”. For their efforts, Mittagong Preschool has been rewarded with a consistent ranking of exceeding national standards.
Up to 40 children can attend the preschool to be taught in the Australian animal-themed rooms. A monthly community newsletter keeps parents informed of the preschool activities and news.
Bambinos Kindergarten Bowral St
Location: Bowral
Bambinos Kindergarten Bowral Street has put in a lot of time and effort to earn it’s rank as one of the best childcare centres in the Southern Highlands.
Bambinos was previously rated as ‘Working towards National Quality Standards’ which indicates there were numerous areas for improvement. However, the centre made the necessary changes and is now rated as exceeding the national standards in each of the seven categories. Like Mittagong Preschool and Bundanoon Community District Preschool, this marks Bambinos eligible to apply for the cherished ‘excellent’ rating.
Bambinos has a capacity for 30 children, all of whom are fed with five meals a day which are prepared on site. The centre also has a vegetable garden for children to grow food for their meals.
NB: This centre is not to be confused with Bambinos Kindergarten Bowral, which is ranked as ‘Meeting the National Quality Standards’ across the board.
KU Donkin Memorial Preschool
Location: Moss Vale
KU Donkin Memorial Preschool has been involved with the local community for more than 50 years. The preschool focuses on a program of play-based learning which caters for the individual strengths and needs of the kids.
KU Donkin is able to host 40 children and staff work with children to grow food and plant seeds to connect the kids with their natural surroundings.
The preschool also participates in the NSW Government Start Strong program to make preschool affordable for all families, essentially making two day participation free for eligible children.
Robertson Community Preschool
Location: Robertson
Robertson Community Preschool has continuously rated one of the best childcare centres in the Southern Highlands. It may have something to do with the ducks and chickens who grow alongside the kids, or it may be the award-winning produce they grow and harvest.
The preschool uses the natural environment to introduce children to sustainability and environmental issues. There are 31 places for children at the centre, with an eye to catering to the individual needs of the kids.
The preschool has strong ties with the community, with generations of families beginning to enrol.
KU Moss Vale Children’s Centre
Location: Moss Vale
KU Moss Vale Children’s Centre in the middle of Moss Vale encourages children’s curiosity and imagination. Through a wide range of activities like music and gardening, the centre makes children “active participants in their own learning”.
The centre specifically focused on being a safe “homelike” haven for children, to assist kids in transitioning into a social environment. The centre can accommodate 52 children,
As well as being consistently rated as exceeding national standards, the children’s centre has won an award for its daycare services. In 2017, KU Moss Vale was presented with the Most Outstanding Childcare Service Award at the Local Business Awards.
Explorers Learning Academy
Location: Mittagong
Explorers Learning Academy in Mittagong knows exactly what kids want from a childcare centre: chickens. The academy aims to create a nurturing and stimulating environment to encourage curiosity and learning.
There are 53 places for children at the academy, which interacts with local community groups to enrich children’s learning experience.
The academy has worked hard to earn its coveted status, having previously been ranked as meeting the quality standards. Since 2018, the centre has been ranked highly and has even opened another local childcare centre in February this year.
NB: This childcare centre is not to be confused with the new Explorers Learning Academy Mittagong West, which is rated as ‘Working towards NQS’ indicating improvement is needed.
Gumnut Bowral Memorial Preschool
Location: Bowral
Gumnut Bowral Memorial Preschool is nestled right in the heart of Bowral on Wingecarribee Street. The centre has a capacity of 40 children, with two classes of 20 per day in the Snugglepot and Cuddlepie rooms.
Gumnut is a not-for-profit centre educating children before they start school. The centre emphasises community involvement, even electing parents to the Management Committee.
As one of the oldest childcare centres on the list, it has been operating since 1970 in the same building.
Find out more about how childcare centres are performing across NSW in our state coverage of childcare centres here.
You can search our interactive list below to find out how your nearest childcare centre has performing in the national review.
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