Australian child care centres, KindiCare ratings revealed for 2024

The top rated and underperforming childcare centres across Australia have been revealed. Search and see the list and watch our exclusive videos.

A national league table of childcare centres shows Victoria has the highest proportion of outstanding providers, while NSW dominates the top 10 and Queensland boasts the two highest ranked services in the country.

Meanwhile, South Australia failed to get a centre or service in the top 1000.

In comparison Tasmania punched above its weight. The state’s highest ranked centre, Goodstart Early Learning Kings Meadows, was named 16th best nationally, while the NT’s highest ranked service, Journey Early Learning Centre in Durack, came in at 134th on the list.

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

KindiCare Excellence Awards 2024 NT winner Journey Early Learning Centre Durack. Pictured is toddler educator Wannisa Thawchai with Connie Buntin.

KindiCare Excellence Awards 2024 Tasmania winner Goodstart Early Learning Kings Meadows. Pictured is educator Rosie Grubisic with Lili O’Toole.

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The best two childcare centres in the country were in Queensland, with the state boasting four spots in the nation’s top 10. Glades Early Education Centre and Preschool in Ipswich and Goodstart Early Learning Red Hill both scored a perfect 10.

At Winston Glades under-fives are encouraged to take risks from carrying glassware to climbing trees.

The centre’s playground promotes “courageous play”, with a tree and monkey bars, bush tucker garden and a little river.

Educational Leader Wendy Van den Berg said the area allows them “to explore their sense of thrill with risk-taking”.

The centre’s owners Lydia and Jack Amouzandeh also value staff, and provide on-site perks, including a massage chair and aromatherapy.

Educational Leader Davinia Munn at Goodstart Early Learning in Red Hill with five-year-old Ned and three-year-old Sophie, Wednesday, October 23, 2024 - Picture: Richard Walker

Goodstart Red Hill Assistant Director Charmaine Greenwood said the centre prides itself on its “calm vibe”.

She said children are never rushed – from drop-offs to achieving developmental goals.

“When families come through for tours or orientation visits, they always comment on how calm the spaces and the children are,” Ms Greenwood said.

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

Centres are marked down if they have not had a recent inspection, but this is not always the fault of the service, especially if they are in a remote location.

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

“The KindiCare Rating is based on publicly available information including previous and current assessment and ratings under the national quality framework from ACECQA as well as reviews provided by families on KindiCare direct, as well as Google reviews,” Mr Balk said.

“Subscribers to the KindiCare platform are treated equally with all other services and do not receive any boost or rating benefit from subscribing.”

He added that the average inspection rate is every two years and 11 months. The KindiCare rating degrades 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.

Mr Balk said the aim of the list is to help parents make an informed choice about child care and “to recognise the outstanding services across the country that go the extra mile every day to look after our youngest children”.

He said with the cost of living crisis and childcare fees costing some parents as much as their mortgage, choosing the right centre was more important to parents than ever.

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