Full list: The best performing inner west childcare centres
Not sure which childcare centre to pick for your child? Here is a list of the top performers in the inner west and why they are excelling in their field.
Inner West
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Choosing the best childcare centre for your child is never easy, and with so many great places to pick from it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
But a good place to start is with the government regulator, who assesses all the childcare centres to see how they’re performing against set standards.
The NSW Department of Education judges every centre on seven quality areas, such as educational programs and physical environment.
The Inner West Courier has done the hard work and found all the childcare centres that are currently excelling on the peninsula, according to the national quality framework produced by the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority.
If you’re an inner west parent, you’re in luck – the local government authority has some of the best centres in the city, and a huge amount of top quality places to choose from.
How have we compiled this list? We’ve used the most recent results on the national register from the ACECQA to show all the childcare centres based in the inner west LGA who are “exceeding” the national quality standards.
Best-performing childcare centres in the inner west:
Bambini of Lilyfield, Lilyfield
Bambini of Lilyfield nurtures and develops its children, giving them the foundations of the skills required for school and beyond.
“We have developed our unique curriculum to develop the skills of the future,” centre director Anmol Lohia said.
“This quote from Caroline Bellouse sums it up beautifully: ‘Since the jobs that our children will do probably don’t exist yet, our priority is to teach them the skills to adapt, inquire, question and co-operate – life skills’.”
Nestled on Balmain Rd in the heart of Lilyfield, Bambini is exceeding all the national quality standards set by the ACECQA, and Ms Lohia believes the centre has many things at its core that sets it apart.
“We believe the longevity of our educators and an early childcare teacher in every room sets us uniquely apart,” Ms Lohia said.
“Relationships with children, families, community and our own colleagues is foundational in achieving dispositions for a love of learning, as well as children being active citizens of our community.
“We are passionate in inspiring our educators, to inspire children, families and the community in line with our motto: ‘Inspiring young minds’.”
A Reggio-inspired service, the centre director said Bambini was driven by innovation and progressive ideas in pursuit of quality education.
The development of an “Art Atelier” (studio for learning) at the centre, with an “Atelierista” (art teacher), allows children to express themselves and develop their creative skills.
“The Art Atelier is a place for children to be themselves,” Ms Lohia said.
“They are encouraged to express themselves through drawings, sculpting, writing and painting.
“It is a space where thinking is provoked, conversations and wonderings encouraged, and masterpieces created from the sparkling artistry of each and every child.”
Styles Street Children’s Community Long Day Care Centre, Leichhardt
Leafy and green Styles Street Children’s Community Long Day Care Centre is located in a quiet patch of Leichhardt and it prides itself on its wonderful staff and large outdoor area.
“Our wonderful staff are the heart of our service,” Radha Babicci, centre director, said.
“We have staff who have been here for five, 10, 15 and 25 years, and our team is so passionate about their work with supporting children and families.
“Families often comment on how welcoming and supportive our team is and that our centre feels like a warm hug.”
The centre has a large outside space, which it uses for various activities.
“The other thing that makes us unique is our two large natural outdoor playgrounds,” Ms Babicci said.
“We are very lucky to have so much natural outdoor space in the inner west, which enriches the children’s learning and exploration while they are here with us.”
Styles Street is exceeding the expectations set by the ACECQA and Ms Babicci said the centre always strives to improve.
“Regular critical reflection on our practice – and its relation to current research and literature – and consultation with our community in all our decision-making helps us to meet the needs of our community and continuously improve on our level of quality,” she said.
The centre is a not-for-profit community service and it’s part-run by a volunteer parent committee, in conjunction with the director and leadership team, so community and locality is at the heart of Styles Street.
FULL LIST: EXCEEDING STANDARDS IN THE INNER WEST
Birchgrove Public School Preschool, Birchgrove
Annandale Child Care Centre, Annandale
Explore And Develop Annandale, Annandale
Annandale North Out of School Hours Care Association, Annandale
The Crescent Early Learning, Annandale
St John’s Preschool, Ashfield
The Infants’ Home, Ashfield
Dulwich Hill ELC and Preschool, Dulwich Hill
Deborah Little Early Learning Centre, Dulwich Hill
Only About Children, Enmore
Enmore Early Learning Centre, Enmore
Uniting Ella Early Learning, Haberfield
Goodstart Early Learning, Haberfield
St Joan of Arc Primary OSHC Centre, Haberfield
Dobroyd Point Primary OSHC Centre, Haberfield
Only About Children Leichhardt Elswick Street, Leichhardt
Kegworth Public School Preschool, Leichhardt
Inner West Family Day Care, Leichhardt
Only About Children Marion Street, Leichhardt
Styles Street Children’s Community Long Day Care Centre, Leichhardt
Leichhardt OOSH, Leichhardt
My Stepping Stones, Leichhardt
Only About Children, Leichhardt
Montessori Academy, Leichhardt
Kindy4Kids, Leichhardt
Jenny’s Kindergarten & Early Learning Centre, Leichhardt
Jigsaw OOSH, Lewisham
Learn & Laugh, Lewisham
Bambini of Lilyfield, Lilyfield
Guardian Childcare & Education, Lilyfield
Emmerick Street Community Pre-School, Lilyfield
Explore and Develop, Lilyfield
Lilyfield Early Learning Centre, Lilyfield
Marrickville Family Day Care, Marrickville
Goodstart Early Learning, Marrickville
Addison Rd Early Learning Centre, Marrickville
SDN Marrickville Children’s Education and Care Centre, Marrickville
Globe Wilkins Preschool, Marrickville
Greek Orthodox Community of NSW Child Care Centre, Marrickville
Kidzville Early Learning Centre, Marrickville
Guardian Childcare & Education, Marrickville
May Murray Early Learning Centre, Marrickville
YMCA Marrickville Public OSHC, Marrickville
Marrickville Rd Extended Hours Preschool, Marrickville
Newtown Kids Cottage, Newtown
Yarrunda Temorah – Australia Street Outside School Hours Care, Newtown
Boundary Lane Children’s Centre, Newtown
North Newtown OOSH, Newtown
KU Carillon Ave Children’s Centre, Newtown
SDN Linthorpe Street Children’s Education & Care Centre, Newtown
Camdenville Public School Preschool, Newtown
Active Kids Pre School Centre of Excellence, Newtown
Australia Street Infants School Preschool, Newtown
KU Petersham Preschool, Petersham
Rozelle Child Care Centre, Rozelle
Rozelle Public School Preschool, Rozelle
St Peter’s Community Preschool, St Peters
Cavendish St Early Learning Centre, Stanmore
Trinity Grammar Junior School OSHC, Summer Hill
Summer Hill Children’s Centre, Summer Hill
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