Best and worst childcare centres in Ipswich suburbs

Ipswich’s childcare centres have been rated – and it’s a mixed bag of results. SEE THE LIST

Ipswich’s childcare centres have been rated – and it’s a mixed bag of results.

The Courier-Mail has investigated the performance of childcare centres in Collingwood Park, Booval, North Booval, Churchill, Camira, Redbank Plains, Bellbird Park, Brassall, Bundamba, Brookwater, One Mile, Carole Park and South Ripley.

When it comes to those suburbs only Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School Early Education Centre and Lady Gowrie Collingwood Park Community Kindergarten scored a top rating of Outstanding.

The results from the KindiCare Quality Index, which rated 17,680 childcare services across Australia and were revealed in November 2024, are based on the results of official government inspections, as well as online reviews.

Seven childcare centres were rated Excellent, while 43 landed Very Good.

A total of 14 centres were deemed Good, and 10 more were yet to be rated.

KindiCare founder Benjamin Balk said subscribers to his platform are treated equally with all other services in the KindiCare Quality Index and do not receive any boost as part of the rating process.

“The KindiCare Rating is based on publicly available information including previous and current assessment and ratings under the national quality framework from Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority as well as reviews provided by families on KindiCare direct as well as Google reviews,” Mr Balk said at the time of the latest ratings release in November 2024.

He added that the average inspection rate is every two years and 11 months. The KindiCare rating degrades over time after three years, rewarding those that have regular inspections.

Services can request an inspection, although they may have to wait, especially in remote or rural areas.

KindiCare founder Benjamin Balk said centres with a rating of ‘fair’ typically provided early learning services that were well below the national average. Picture: Supplied

KINDICARE RATINGS EXPLAINED

Outstanding

Scored 9.5 and above, and in the top 3 per cent nationally.

Excel in environment, culture, educators and curriculum.

Excellent

Score 9-9.5. Very high quality education and care.

Consistent high feedback. Only 11.5 per cent of services achieve this category.

Very good

Score 8.5-9. Very good parent feedback. 97 per cent of services meet or exceed the national quality standard.

Good

Score 7.5-8.5. Typically meet national quality standards in all or most areas.

Fair

Score 5-7.5. Services often have limited or poor reviews from families. Sometimes a

new centre’s first review.

Poor

Score 5 and below. Limited or poor family reviews.

Not Rated

Operating less than three years and have yet to be formally assessed.

Source: KindiCare

Originally published as Best and worst childcare centres in Ipswich suburbs