Dubbo childcare centres ranked on strengths | Full list
Five childcare centres across Dubbo have exceeded the standards set out to improve the quality of care kids receive. Find out which local educators are the top performers.
Dubbo News
Don't miss out on the headlines from Dubbo News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Childcare is becoming increasingly more valuable as the population of the Dubbo region grows, but it can be hard to know which centres are the best for children.
To ensure quality is maintained, facilities are regularly assessed by regulators and rated against a series of standards set by The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority’s National Quality framework.
The latest ratings show five facilities in Dubbo have exceeded the National Quality Standards (NQS) overall, while other facilities are meeting the NQS or working towards them.
Based on the ratings, these are the best-performing childcare centres in Dubbo.
LITTLE LEARNERS LONG DAY CARE AND PRESCHOOL
Celebrating its 16th anniversary in 2021, Little Learners has been owned and operated by Kim Jones the entire time.
When she opened the centre, Mrs Jones was heavily pregnant with her second daughter Lily and her first born daughter, Apryl-Rose, was often toddling around her feet.
Now, Apryl-Rose has completed an early childhood traineeship at Little Learners while Lily attends high school and helps out educators and teachers during school holidays.
Little Learners educational leader Sherry McDermott-Raine said the meaningful relationships staff developed and maintained with families was at the core of its success.
“We share our learning space each day with 83 fabulous children and their families, all of whom never cease to bring smiles to the faces of our dedicated, experienced and highly skilled staff,” she said.
“We always say that a child doesn’t just join Little Learners, their whole family does.
“Most of our amazing educators and teachers have been with us for many years and respond to each of our glorious and unique little people with this concept always omnipresent, acknowledging community and culture in all its diversity with a never-ending supply of warmth, positivity and a genuine interest in the ‘whole’ child.”
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 three and six 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.
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.
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.
RED GUM CHILD CARE CENTRE
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 told The Dubbo News earlier this year when the centre was again recognised for exceeding quality standards.
“We weren’t full when we opened 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,” he 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 WEST PUBLIC SCHOOL PRESCHOOL
Located on the grounds of Dubbo West Public School, the Department of Education-run preschool prides itself on providing all children with equal opportunities.
Preschool staff encourage all children to reach their full potential and promote collaboration with families to help achieve the best possible outcomes for each child.
The preschool embraces diversity and the important rule culture plays in shaping the learning experience.
Staff regularly engage in self-reflection and keep abreast of current research to ensure the quality of the service provided to children is always improved.
Super stats! Gun quartet, best teen rugby players in Australia
The numbers are in and a quartet of players stand out on the statistic sheet heading into round four of Super Rugby U16s and U19s. Leading points scorers, try scorers, tacklers and statistical stars here.
Comeback, two-try stars in Waratahs v Reds U16s Super Rugby battle
It took them a while but the NSW Waratahs finally found their groove against the Queensland Reds as one of rugby’s best rivalries ignited in the Super Rugby U16s. Stars, great photos.