We have some exciting news to share with you!
Engadine Preschool Kindergarten was notified towards the end of Term 1 that our long-awaited National Quality Standards Assessment and Rating process would be undertaken. Five days’ notice was given to the service to prepare for the visit, and the Self-Assessment Tool and Quality Improvement Plan was due on the third day. The new timeframe ensures that services are working continuously towards meeting quality standards.
Since this process was introduced in 2012, we have been assessed twice, and each time, we received an overall Exceeding rating. This is the first time that we have been given only five days’ notice of an impending visit.
Using the Assessment and Rating process, services are rated within seven quality areas and 40 elements within those quality areas. Each element must have 5 examples of practice and demonstrate how we critically reflect on our practice, embed this practice into day-to-day programming, and involve the families and community. That’s a total of 600 practices to be continually developing and working on.
The assessment and rating process aims to improve the quality of service delivery across the sector and inform and support parents in choosing a quality service that will meet their family’s needs. All prior-to-school services across Australia are subject to this same process.
Being rated as meeting the standards is perfectly acceptable and demonstrates a quality service. Under the National Quality Standards, the rating of “exceeding” is awarded to services that exceed beyond these expectations.
Our team at Engadine Preschool Kindergarten is proud to announce that we have again been rated “Exceeding the National Quality Standards” in all seven quality areas and all forty elements of our educational program and practice. This achievement underscores our commitment to continuous improvement and excellence in Early Childhood Education.
Despite the new short notice period introduced, our team has worked diligently over many years to ensure every aspect of our service met the high standards expected. The preparation required us to thoroughly review our policies, practices, and documentation, while also ensuring that our day-to-day practices continued smoothly. By consistently striving to enhance our practices and maintain high standards, we ensure that the children in our care receive the best possible foundation for their future learning experiences. Our dedication to ongoing development benefits our preschool community and sets a benchmark for quality in the wider educational sector. \
Exceeding the standards means that we provide an enriched learning environment that extends above and beyond the basic requirements, fostering a deeper level of engagement and development for the children. One of the key practices that contributed to our Exceeding rating is our emphasis on individualised learning plans tailored to each child’s unique needs and interests. Additionally, we have implemented a robust professional development program for our educators, ensuring they are equipped with the latest knowledge and skills in early childhood education. Furthermore, our active collaboration with families and the local community helps us create a supportive and inclusive environment that enhances the learning experience for every child.
This achievement reassures parents that their children are in a nurturing and stimulating educational environment, where their individual needs and safety are prioritised. Additionally, it enhances our reputation in the community as a service that consistently delivers quality Early Childhood Education and Care.
Congratulations to our team of Early Childhood teachers and educators and the Management Committee that supports our team, as the Approved Provider.
