Waratah Cottage Early Learning Centre earns Excellent rating
Date Awarded: 14 March 2018
Valid until: 13 March 2021
Waratah Cottage Early Learning Centre has been awarded the Excellent rating by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), the highest rating a service can achieve under the National Quality Framework.
From 1 February 2018, services in all states and territories (except for Western Australia) must be rated Exceeding National Quality Standard in all seven quality areas to be eligible to apply for the Excellent rating. The Excellent rating is awarded for three years. After this time, services have the option to re-apply.
The Claymore-based service was recognised for its collaborative partnerships with professional, community and research organisations, positive workplace culture and organisational values, and inclusive partnerships with children and families.
Examples of exceptional practice at the service include:
- Participation in studies with several universities, the most recent one being the University of Wollongong. The service took part in the FEEL project and a self-regulation study. The service’s involvement has resulted in adaptions to programs and practice to increase outcomes for children and families.
- Waratah Cottage has developed a longstanding partnership with the Mobile Toy and Book Library. Over the years this partnership has evolved and the Mobile Toy and Book Library has implemented programs for children and families of Waratah Cottage and members of the Claymore community. Educators have implemented a program for children from the service and the local community where they can participate in activities and experiences to support the transition into the school environment.
- Waratah Cottage states that it provides opportunities for team members to network, benchmark, and build team morale to ensure that all feel valued and respected within their roles and the service. These opportunities are gained through meetings with other services and sections of the approved provider’s organisation.
- The service notes that the voice of educators is important and new educators are provided with the opportunity to complete a 'New Starters Survey' which asks for feedback on questions such as, 'Do you have comments on your experience when recruited?'.
- Waratah Cottage’s cook has implemented ‘Cook with Me’ sessions where families are invited to participate in informal cooking lessons. The families cook the children’s meals alongside the cook. The service states that this supports and develops the families’ knowledge of nutrition, hygiene, food safety and budgets. Families then have the opportunity to join their child at the service for lunch and children can see these partnerships flourishing. Ingredients to support these menu choices are often donated by the neighbouring church, reducing costs for the families.
As a leader in the sector, Waratah Cottage Early Learning Centre is represented and an active member in a range of networks, committees and action groups, as well as presenting at conferences. Waratah Cottage is also a member of the Claymore Action Group, working in partnership with other services and agencies to improve services available to meet the needs of the local community.
About the Excellent rating
From 1 February 2018, services in all states and territories (except for Western Australia) must be rated Exceeding National Quality Standard in all seven quality areas to be eligible to apply for the Excellent rating. The Excellent rating is awarded for three years. After this time, services have the option to re-apply.
More information is available on the ACECQA website.