Best childcare centres in the Riverina | Full list
Nine childcare centres in the region have exceeded the benchmark set out to improve the quality of care children are receiving. Find out who the top performers are.
The Wagga News
Don't miss out on the headlines from The Wagga News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Childcare centres across the region are becoming more valuable as the population of the Riverina grows, but it can be overwhelming to find the best centre for your children.
Childcare centres are assessed by the NSW Department of Education on seven quality areas, including educational programs, the physical environment, child’s health and safety, staffing arrangements, relationships with children, collaboration with families and the community and leadership.
After assessment the centres are given one of five ratings by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority.
The highest category is ‘Excellent’, and the lowest is ‘Significant improvement required’.
Nine centres in Wagga have been rated ‘Exceeding National Quality Standards’ which is the second highest category.
These are the best-performing childcare centres in the region.
St Luke’s Preschool - Exceeding National Quality Standards
Location: Wagga CBD
St Luke’s and St Mary’s Rainbow Preschool are sister preschools within the Wagga Wagga Anglican Parish and have been operating in the community for just over 60 years.
They have university qualified teachers and diploma qualified educators who provide inquiry and play based learning opportunities for the children during school terms.
St Luke’s has been rated ‘Exceeding National Quality Standards’, while St Mary’s Rainbow Preschool has been given the rating of ‘Meeting National Quality Standards’.
Their teachers and educators are highly experienced and highly qualified, with six degree qualified teachers and Diploma-qualified educators on the team.
The preschool only operate during the school term, and St Lukes is licensed to 59 students per day, and fees are free for 15 hours/week of preschool.
Anglican Preschools manager Jodie Coles said children at St Luke’s loved exploring and learning with their teachers and educators and the school has doubled its intake within a year.
“Covid has not really affected our operations, St Luke’s has always enjoyed a really good reputation among the community,” Ms Coles said.
“Last year we were only operating at 30 places a day and after a big extension was done we can now operate at 59 places per day which we filled within the first month of the year.
“We doubled our occupancy and we still have a waiting list with a majority of those children being 3 years old.”
KU Kangaroo Preschool - Exceeding National Quality Standards
Location: Kooringal
KU manages four Wagga preschools including KU Kangaroo, KU Kingfisher, KU Koala and KU Kookaburra, which are all rated ‘Exceeding National Quality Standards’ as assessed by the NSW Department of Education.
KU Kangaroo Preschool has been established in Wagga for nearly 15 years and the preschool currently does not have any vacancies, with a waiting period of about six months.
The centre can accommodate children between aged 3-5 years.
The preschool uses the natural environment to introduce children to sustainability and environmental issues, they even grow their own vegetables and share the produce with families.
Goodstart Early Learning - Exceeding National Quality Standards
Location: Kooringal
Goodstart Early Learning in Kooringal is a 75-place centre which has worked hard on quality control over the years.
According to their website, children can enjoy activities like playing in the sandpit, creating artworks and even tending to the chickens.
The centre offers a large outside playground area with plenty of play surfaces – with a boardwalk, sandpits, boat, grassed areas, veranda, lots of space and shade.
‘Bimbi’ – Red Hill Public School Preschool - Exceeding National Quality Standards
Location: Tolland
Bimbi Preschool is located on the grounds of Red Hill Public school and is open to children turning 4 before July 31.
They are the only Department of Education preschool in Wagga, which allows a smooth transition between primary school.
The preschool offers two sessions, Monday and Tuesday or Thursday and Friday, with an alternating Wednesday with services from 9am to 3pm.
Goodstart Early Learning - Exceeding National Quality Standards
Location: Glenfield Park
Goodstart Early Learning offers spots for children from between six weeks to five-years-old.
In 2019, the centre achieved the high rating of ‘Exceeding National Quality Standards’, while also boosting the quality of their education program.
They also have an inhouse cook who prepares healthy and nutritious meals daily onsite.
Goodstart Early Learning Glenfield Park director, Kiara Driscoll said Goodstart believes in creating a safe, positive, nurturing environment.
“I feel privileged to have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the incredible children that we educate and care for every day,” said Ms Driscoll.
“We have such an important role to play in establishing solid foundations from which the children can grow.
“I work closely with my team who shares my passion for helping children meet their potential. They are dedicated, professional, experienced and highly qualified.”
KU Kookaburra Preschool - Exceeding National Quality Standards
Location: Turvey Park
KU Kookaburra Preschool is one of Wagga’s oldest preschools, established over 60 years ago.
The centre offers 28 child care places per day.
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.
Goodstart Early Learning - Exceeding National Quality Standards
Location: Wagga CBD
Located on Morgan Street, Goodstart Early Learning childcare centre consists of two rooms, for the 0-3 and 3-5 age groups.
It also offers a mainstream childcare services with a focus on the environment, according to its website.
The centre also provides children with three meals per day, cooked by an onsite qualified chef.
In 2017, Goodstart Early Learning was ranked as ‘Exceeding National Quality Standards’ in each of the seven quality categories.
KU Koala Preschool - Exceeding National Quality Standards
Location: Wagga CBD
KU Koala Preschool was officially opened in 2012.
Its educational program is guided by ‘early years’ framework and knowledge of early childhood theory and practice.
According to its website, Ku Koala has created a “wonderful zest for learning and respect for nature”.
The preschool offers children the chance to dig in the mud, climb trees, discover and learn about insects while connecting with nature.
KU Koala Preschool - Exceeding National Quality Standards
Location: Wagga CBD
Ku Kingfisher Preschool has continuously been rated one of the best childcare centres in the Riverina.
The preschool is able to host 30 children and staff connect with children through play based learning by creating arts and crafts, science experiments, gardening and through early numeracy activities.
Highway van bust allegedly uncovers 17,000 vapes
A man has been charged after police allegedly seized a huge amount of vapes worth nearly $900,000 during a vehicle stop in the state’s south.
Johns/Daley Cup: Top-10 talking points from round one
There were fast starts, epic comebacks and telepathic connections. Check out the top-10 talking points from round one of the Andrew Johns and Laurie Daley Cups.