The Casey childcare centres exceeding the national standards

With more than 200 early learning centres in Casey it can be tough choosing the right one for your kids. We’ve rounded up the top providers in the region — including one that stands head and shoulders above the rest. SEE THE LIST

Ava-Lee, Deshawn and Ella at Doveton College's Early Learning Centre. Picture: Josie Hayden

Nearly a third of all Casey early learning providers are exceeding national quality standards, the latest data reveals.

Victorian centres were assessed by the state Education Department and rated in categories including children’s health and safety, physical environment, staffing arrangements, relationships with children and governance.

Each was also given an overall rating from “significant improvement needed” to “excellent”, the latter of which can only be bestowed by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority.

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE FULL LIST OF CASEY’S BEST CHILDCARE CENTRES

Of the 213 providers in Casey, 69 were found to be exceeding national quality standards.

Doveton College Early Learning Centre was named top of the class, receiving the only “excellent” rating in the region.

Director Michelle Cutajar said their top learning environment came from having the best teachers at the 95-place centre, which catered for children aged 3-5 years and had 18 highly-qualified, dedicated staff members.

“Our rooms are bright, airy and interesting, accommodating a range of play based activities that promote learning in these areas. The ELC run an indoor/outdoor program to provide children with play based experiences that make learning fun and social,” she said.

“We have an expansive outdoor area, which continues to promote the development of curiosity, problem solving and social/emotional skills.”

Ms Cutajar said the centre also benefited from being connected to Doveton College, giving the younger children weekly access to specialist programs in music, library and physical education.

“Our daily learning program focuses on activities that develop children’s intellectual and emotional growth: songs, rhymes, story telling, dance, inside and outdoor play.

“We encourage activities and play projects where children can play independently and cooperatively in small groups.”

Of the 3987 centres assessed across the state, 33 per cent rated “exceeding NQS” overall, 51 per cent were “meeting NQS” and 16 per cent were “working towards” the standard.

Those which received a “working towards” national quality standards rating were still providing “a safe education and care program” but had areas in which they needed to improve.

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Education Department spokeswoman Linh Salisbury said Victoria had the equal highest proportion of early childhood services that were meeting or exceeding national quality standards.

“The overwhelming majority of Victoria’s kindergartens and childcare centres do a fantastic job offering quality early childhood education and care for children,” she said.

“Families expect the early childhood services their children attend meet minimum standards, which is why it’s so important that services are assessed against national quality standard.”

CASEY CENTRES EXCEEDING NATIONAL QUALITY STANDARDS

Allara Kindergarten

Arbourlea Kindergarten

Autumn Place Kindergarten

Berwick Kindergarten

Berwick Primary School O.S.H.C

Brentwood Park Berwick Kindergarten

Bridgewater Kindergarten

Camp Australia — Haileybury Edrington OSHC

Camp Australia — St Margarets Berwick OSHC

Carlisle Child Care Club

Carlisle Park Kindergarten

Community Kids Cranbourne

Community Kids Narre Warren Early Education Centre

Coral Drive Kindergarten

David Collins Kindergarten

Doveton College Early Learning Centre*

Eco Kids Child Care Centre

Evans Park Early Learning Centre and Kindergarten

Fairhaven Kindergarten

Fleetwood Kindergarten

Fountain Gate Kindergarten

Goodstart Early Learning Hampton Park — Coral Drive

Great Beginnings Berwick

Gwendoline Kindergarten

Haileybury Berwick College

Hallam Gardens Kindergarten

Hallam Kindergarten

Hampton Park East Kindergarten

Hartley Ridge Kindergarten

Headstart Early Learning Centre Berwick

Hillsmeade Early Learning Centre

Hunt Club Children’s Centre

James Cook Kindergarten

Jindalee Kindergarten

KingKids Early Learning Centre and Kindergarten Narre Warren

Little Joey’s Early Learning

Littlecroft Kindergarten

Livingston Kindergarten

Lynbrook Kindergarten

Mansfield Street Kindergarten

Maramba Kindergarten

Maranatha Early Learning Centre — Casey

Marriott Waters Kindergarten

Mayone bulluk Kindergarten

Merinda Park Kindergarten

Mission Australia Early Learning Doveton

Mission Australia Early Learning Eumemmerring

Narre Warren Central Kindergarten

Narre Warren North Kindergarten

Oatlands Kindergarten

Pearcedale Kindergarten

Pelican Childcare Lynbrook

Rangebank Kindergarten

Reema Kindergarten

Regans Road Kindergarten

Rivercrest Early Learning Centre

Rossmoyne Kindergarten

Selandra Kindergarten

St Margaret’s School Pre-prep

Station House Early Years Learning

Strathaird Kindergarten

Strong Drive Kindergarten

Talbingo Kindergarten

Timbarra Kindergarten

Timbarra P- 9 College Combined OSHC

Tooradin Kindergarten

Valley Brook Kindergarten

Willora Kindergarten

Woodbine Road Preschool

*Received the top “excellent” rating