Ballarat Specialist School’s early learning centre named as region’s best kindergarten

A Ballarat specialist kinder has been recognised as one of the state’s best, with the region boasting some of the best early learning centres in Victoria.

Ballarat Specialist School’s early learning centre was revealed as the region's top kindergarten. Picture: Ballarat Specialist School

A specialist school and an early learning centre that offers African drumming have been named the top childcares in the Ballarat region.

The results from the KindiCare Quality Index, which rated 17,680 childcare services across Australia, are based on the results of official government inspections, as well as online reviews.

Out of 4838 childcare services in Victoria, 7.5 per cent – or 365 – were rated ‘outstanding’, including two from the Ballarat region.

The highest rated childcare in the region was the Ballarat Specialist School’s early learning centre.

The school “caters to students aged from 3 and 18 years who have a diagnosed intellectual disability ranging from mild to profound”.

Scoring a 9.7 rating - the equal third highest in Victoria’s regional areas - the early learning centre works with families to determine the “support [their children] need to reach their potential”.

Parent feedback from their website says the educators are “very professional, supportive and caring not only of the children in their care but of the family unit”.

Second on the rankings was Journey Early Learning Sebastopol, with an ‘outstanding’ 9.5 KindiCare rating.

Activities there include an “African Drumming Incursion”, haircuts and supermarket excursions as well as breakfast for families at the centre once a month.

The facility includes “nature-based play” as a “core part” of the curriculum.

According to their website, nature-based play teaches the kids “vital life skills including confidence, independence, exploration and co-operation”.

HIGHEST RATED: BALLARAT

Ballarat Specialist School - Early Learning Centre, LAKE GARDENS

Journey Early Learning Sebastopol, SEBASTOPOL

Goodstart Early Learning Wendouree, WENDOUREE

Mt Pleasant Kindergarten, BALLARAT

Mt Clear Community Kindergarten, MOUNT CLEAR