KindiCare Quality Index reveals ratings for SA childcare centres in Australia

They look after our precious children. But not all childcare centres are equal. See how your local one is rated.

Exclusive: More than 1000 Australian childcare centres are underperforming, according to comprehensive ratings based on official inspections, as well as parent reviews.

The 2022 KindiCare Quality Index rated 1072 childcare operations ‘fair’, which is the bottom category.

They accounted for 6.3 per cent of Australia’s centres.

In SA there are 70 centres rated as ‘fair’.

Bottom of the list was Mallee COGS – Lameroo in Lameroo with a rating of 6.3.

There are 129 centres rated ‘excellent’; 449 ‘very good’ and 552 ‘good’.

There are just two ‘outstanding’ centres in the state, Stepping Stone Evanston Childcare & Early Development Centre and Nazareth Early Childhood Centre, with a rating of 9.5.

Southern Mallee District Council runs Mallee COGS.

Acting CEO Matthew Sherman said the council refutes the suggestion that Mallee COGS is the worst rated childcare centre in SA.

He said it has recently transitioned from a part-time out of scope mobile service, to two full time in scope services located in the regional townships of Lameroo and Pinnaroo.

Mr Sherman said the transition has helped stimulate the economy, while addressing the community’s lack of supply of childcare services in the region.

“Our services began operation in February 2020 just before Covid really hit the nation so it’s been an incredibly tough couple of years,” he said.

Mr Sherman added that there have also been ongoing challenges in regard to staffing and housing.

Daniella and Jozef read a book with educator Emma Lagana at Nazareth Catholic Community - Early Childhood Centre in Findon. The centre is now one of five centres in the state with the top rating 'excellent'. Picture: Brenton Edwards

He said in July 2021, the service was deemed as either meeting or working towards national quality standards by government inspectors.

Meanwhile, the Kindicare Quality Index gave only one centre in the country a perfect score of 10 – Essex Heights Juniors in Mount Waverley in Victoria, which has been crowned the best childcare centre in Australia.

The KindiCare app and childcare comparison website, which released the index, has worked out a unique score for every early learning service based on their current and historical assessment and ratings under the National Quality Framework from the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), parent and community feedback and reviews, the stability and length of operation of the service as well as other characteristics known about a service.

KindiCare founder and CEO Benjamin Balk said those who rated ‘fair’ are mainly centres that are still ‘working towards’ meeting national standards.

KindiCare founder Benjamin Balk. Picture: Supplied.

Others have not been inspected for many years which meant they lost marks.

Stepping Stone Evanston Director Hayley Truscott attributes her centre’s success to low staff turnover and a team of educators who build strong relationships with families.

“It is so important that families know what is going on and if a child is feeling not quite themselves, we will always give parents a courtesy call,” Ms Truscott said.

Mr Balk said a common theme among the top rating early learning centres in this year’s awards has been the longevity of staff who feel valued and respected.

“This week’s Job’s Summit has laid bare the workforce challenges within the early learning sector,” Mr Balk said.

“It’s no coincidence that the top rated centres are able to offer great education and care by prioritising the wellbeing of their staff.

Originally published as KindiCare Quality Index reveals ratings for SA childcare centres in Australia