The NQS sets a national benchmark for the quality of children’s education and care services in Australia. State or territorial regulatory authorities assess services against the NQS based on the NQS’s seven quality areas, with a rating for each and an overall rating. The St Paul’s Traralgon service has been rated as Exceeding National Quality Standard in all seven areas, supporting its commitment to high-quality early childhood education and care.

The St Paul’s Early Learning Centre’s Director, Fiona McDonald expressed pride in the achievement. “Our educators consistently demonstrate a deep commitment to personalising the program to meet the unique needs of each child,” she said. “The educational program is intentionally designed with purpose and care.”

The assessment highlighted the centre’s connection to the natural environment. “It was noted by the assessor the service is aesthetically pleasing and thatinviting learning environments have been created in both indoor and outdoor areas, which feature a blend of upcycled and new, quality resources that encourage respect for the natural world,” Fiona said. “The centre has also been recognised for successfully implementing the Nature Kinder Program which promotes the ‘learn to play’ philosophy that drives our educators’ pedagogy.”

“The children were observed confidently accessing indoor and outdoor spaces which are equipped with ample open-ended materials to support their growing independence and meet their individual needs throughout the day.”

“Our educators have been credited for their skill and knowledge in extending children’s learning, following their lead, and supporting them in thinking critically and experimenting with their ideas and interests. As most educators have been employed at the service for several years, the assessors deemed this to have contributed to a high level of collaboration within the staffing team and continuity for families and children. Furthermore, the leadership team has been identified for providing educators with clear guidance and support, demonstrating a commitment to continuous improvement through a culture of ongoing reflection and review.”

“The centre has also been acknowledged for our commitment to child safety and wellbeing, utilising the Victorian Child Safe Standards as an opportunity to reflect on our current practices, leading to the introduction of online safety and body safety awareness programs with all children, educators and families at the service. The assessors also observed that the children demonstrated a strong sense of connection with and respect for each other and were frequently observed independently engaging in collaborative play experiences.”

For more information about the NQF and service ratings, visit the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) website or ACECQA’s family-focused website, Starting Blocks.