Best rated childcare centres in Dubbo region revealed | List
Childcare centres in western NSW have exceeded National Quality Standards to improve the standard of care our kids receive. Find out who the top performers are.
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With the population of the Dubbo region on the rise, childcare centres are a hot commodity in the region.
But it can be hard to know what centres are the best.
Childcare centres are assessed by the Department of Education on seven quality areas including educational programs and practices, children’s health and safety, physical environment, staffing arrangements, relationships with kids, collaboration with families and leadership.
The childcare centres are then given one of five ratings, which includes from the top down ‘excellent’, ‘exceeding National Quality Standard (National Quality Standards)’, ‘meeting National Quality Standards’, ‘working towards National Quality Standards’ and ‘significant improvement required’.
Based on those ratings, we’ve put together a list of the childcare centres in Western NSW who have been rated as exceeding the Nationanal Quality Standard.
RED GUM CHILD CARE CENTRE DUBBO
Nick and Danielle Sykes transformed an old private hospital building in Dubbo into the Red Gum Child Care centre in 2015.
“It’s quite a large centre so we hold up to 100 children a day,” Mr Sykes said.
“We weren’t full when we open but it didn’t take too long.”
Mr Sykes, who also owns Peppercorn Child Care Centre, said staff with a genuine passion for helping families and young children thrive were the key ingredient for a centre’s success.
“Watching the staff and children grow is the most rewarding thing for a business owner in this industry,” Mr Sykes said.
The centre has established strong links between children and community organisations, including aged care homes and Aboriginal leaders.
“We try to really embed ourselves in the community … it’s definitely something we’re proud of, being involved in the community as much as we can,” Mr Sykes said.
DUBBO AND DISTRICT PRESCHOOL KINDERGARTEN
A community-based non-profit provider, Dubbo and District Preschool Kindergarten was built by the Lions Club of Dubbo in 1962.
Up to 100 children between the ages of 3 and 6 attend the preschool on the corner of Bultje and Hampden Streets.
Staff pride themselves on learning from the past and building for the future. Theory and the latest research shape day to day practices at the preschool, which focuses on supporting kids to grow into respectful, functioning members of Australian society.
GOODSTART EARLY LEARNING – COBRA STREET, DUBBO
Goodstart Early Learning opened in 2004 and since then it has proved to be a popular and trusted childcare option for working families.
Centre director Marguerite Tongue has more than three decades of experience working in the childcare industry and says her team endeavour to be the best role models for children in their care.
“I strongly believe that our positive attitude towards others is a strong basis for caring and educating children,” she said.
“Children under five need positive, non-biased, calm, honest, reliable and educated – in life and by books – people as their role models.”
DUBBO WEST PUBLIC SCHOOL PRESCHOOL
Dubbo West Public Preschool prides itself on engaging children to become confident, creative and capable learners.
The preschool works only with children in the year before they are due to start kindergarten and priority access to places is given to Aboriginal families, those experiencing financial hardship and families of children with a disability.
Every day students enjoy music and movement activities, outdoor and sensory play, craft, group games, language and story time, all aimed at building confidence and supporting cognitive, social, emotional, creative and physical development.
REGAND PARK EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CENTRE
A locally owned and operated service, Regand Park Early Childhood Education Centre focuses on “nourishing respectful partnerships” and employing extra staff who go above and beyond to care for children.
The centre employs a dedicated environmental educator and creative community educator to give children access to engaging sustainability activities and build strong links with the community.
Director and co-owner Justine Richards has received numerous awards and is highly regarded as a leader in the early childhood industry.
DUBBO WEST PRESCHOOL
A four-room centre managed by a parent and community member led committee, the Dubbo West Preschool focuses on developing independence skills within children and ensuring a smooth transition to school.
Fifteen dedicated professions run the preschool and provide meaningful and fun experiences for children, developing knowledge and unlocking the individual strengths of each child.
NARROMINE PRESCHOOL KINDERGARTEN
Narromine Preschool Kindergarten was the only facility in the small town to exceed the National Quality Standards.
The preschool is renowned for embracing all cultures within the community, forming positive partnerships with local groups and residents, and supporting children to question their world and investigate their ideas through play.
NANIMA PRESCHOOL, WELLINGTON
For 30 years the Nanima Preschool has been a pivotal part of the Wellington community.
The Australian Children’s Education and Care Authority which rates childcare centre’s has singled out Nanima Preschool for exceeding national standards when it comes to educational programs and practice, children’s health and safety, staffing arrangements, relationships with children and collaborative partnerships with families and communities.
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