Toowoomba childcare centres exceed ACECQA National Quality Framework ratings

A select group of childcare centres around Toowoomba have been found to exceed industry benchmarks for childhood education and care. See who makes the grade here.

A SMALL group of childcare centres have been rated as exceeding the national quality standard for childhood education and care across Toowoomba, according to the national industry authority.

For Springs Early Education on Jewell director Melinda Clark, receiving a rating of exceeding the National Quality Standard by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority was recognition of the hard work of their staff and educators.

“We’re very proud because it’s not something that’s easily achieved so it’s nice to be rated in that way,” she said.

(from left) Rylee Bainbridge, Preston Hanson and Karla van Heerden. Springs Early Education on Jewell are one of 12 childcare centres in Toowoomba with an 'exceeding' NQS rating. Thursday, October 28, 2021. Picture: Nev Madsen.

“That rating doesn’t happen on the day, it’s a reflection of our embedded practices that we continue to do. Just because we’ve achieved that rating doesn’t mean we stop there.

“Everything we do is to better ourselves and cater for the individual and their family, as well as give back to the wider community.”

As of March 2021, the ACECQA rated 12 childcare centres in the Garden City as exceeding the National Quality Standard, the national benchmark for early childhood education and care and outside school hours care services.

(from left) Rylee Bainbridge, Preston Hanson and Karla van Heerden. Springs Early Education on Jewell are one of 12 childcare centres in Toowoomba with an 'exceeding' NQS rating. Thursday, October 28, 2021. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Based on seven quality areas, the exceeding NQS is the second highest rating issued by the ACECQA.