SA child care centres, KindiCare ratings revealed for 2024
The top rated and underperforming childcare centres across South Australia have been revealed. Search and see the list and watch our exclusive videos.
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South Australia has performed poorly in a national league table of childcare centres.
Not one of its services made the top 1000.
The state is also the only state or territory with no services rated in the ‘outstanding’ category.
The results from the KindiCare Quality Index, which rated 17,680 childcare services across Australia, are based on the results of official government inspections, as well as online reviews.
Out of 1310 childcare services in the state, one in 10 – or 132 – were rated ‘excellent’, but more than four per cent – 63 – could not be rated, mainly because they had not had an official inspection yet.
Just under half received a ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’ classification, while 7.3 per cent – or 95 – were rated ‘fair’.
One reason why SA services could be struggling in the ratings table compared to other states is the workforce shortage.
SEARCH THE FULL LIST HERE:
In the last quarterly government snapshot, 16.3 per cent of services in the state were not meeting the recommended staff-to-child ratios.
The national average is 8.9 per cent, with only two per cent of Victorian services claiming a staffing waiver.
SA also had the biggest proportion of longday care centres not meeting national standards, excluding the ACT. More than 19 per cent of centres were rated by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority as ‘working towards’, compared with 5.9 per cent in Victoria.
KindiCare founder Benjamin Balk said SA’s poor ratings were mainly impacted by the fact government inspections were slower than in other states.
He said centres with a rating of ‘fair’ typically provided early learning services that were well below the national average.
Three of Happy Haven’s OSHC’s services – at Elizabeth Downs, Christie Downs and Elizabeth – were the three lowest rated services in the state, according to the KindiCare Quality Index.
The Adelaide Advertiser contacted the lowest five ranked performers for comment, but did not receive any responses.
South Australia’s highest rated centre was 1075 on the national list.
Community Kids McLaren Vale was rated ‘excellent’ and received a KindiCare Rating of 9.4.
Manager Christine Filsell said the centre’s education programs support children’s lifelong learning and development, through innovative and evidence-based teaching methods.
“We have a well-qualified, passionate and dedicated team of educators who build meaningful relationships, and these genuine partnerships add to the wonderful atmosphere,” Ms Filsell said.
Staff keep in frequent contact with families – as often as once a day – in order to ensure that they are kept well-informed about their child’s development.
She said this constant feedback loop creates a warm, welcoming environment in which parents, carers and – most importantly – children can thrive.
Mr Balk, who runs a childcare comparison app, 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 ACECQA as well as reviews provided by families on KindiCare direct as well as Google reviews,” Mr Balk said.
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.
He 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.
HIGHEST RATED
Community Kids McLaren Vale Early Education Centre, MCLAREN VALE
Prospect Community Early Education and Care, PROSPECT
Stepping Stone Evanston Childcare & Early Development Centre, EVANSTON
Goodstart Early Learning Prospect, PROSPECT
Guardian Childcare & Education Export, EXPORT PARK
Sturt Street Children’s Centre for Early Childhood Development and Parenting, ADELAIDE
Sturt Street Community Child Care, ADELAIDE
Stepping Stone Lightsview Childcare & Early Development Centre, LIGHTSVIEW
Goodstart Early Learning Parafield Gardens, PARAFIELD GARDENS
Children’s Centre for Early Childhood Development and Parenting, PARADISE
LOWEST RATED
Happy Haven OSHC Taparra, ELIZABETH DOWNS
Happy Haven OSHC Christie Downs, CHRISTIE DOWNS
Happy Haven OSHC Jamestown, ELIZABETH
Lock Early Learning Centre, LOCK
Woodville Little Learners, WOODVILLE
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
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Originally published as SA child care centres, KindiCare ratings revealed for 2024
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