Queensland Long Day Care Centre receives Excellent rating

Kenmore and District Montessori Children’s House in Queensland has been awarded the Excellent rating from the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA).

The Excellent rating is the highest rating a service can achieve under the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education and Care.

“Kenmore and District Montessori Children’s House welcomes families and educators from many cultures and has greatly improved outcomes for children through the development and implementation of its programs,” ACECQA Board Chair Rachel Hunter said.

Its language and literacy program is designed to improve the skills of migrant children and those from non-English speaking backgrounds.

Educators hold frequent information sessions for parents to explain the program and demonstrate how families can use the resources to further develop their child’s education, as well as their own. Interpreters are also used in the sessions to explain the program for families with limited English.

Kenmore’s programs also promote sustainability and the important role the physical environment plays in children’s learning and development.

To involve working families, Kenmore introduced a series of sustainability books where children and families contribute ideas about how sustainability is encouraged and supported in their homes. Educators then document the practices and experiences and share the books across the service.

Kenmore is also active in supporting Indigenous communities, working closely with educators from the Papulankutja Early Childhood Class in Western Australia and providing mentoring, advice, resources and support.

“The collaborative partnership demonstrates an ongoing commitment to the professional development and support of educators,” Ms Hunter said.

The service runs a number of other programs that celebrate culture and diversity, including:

• family information surveys which help develop learning experiences according to each child’s background, culture, interests and needs
• presentations from family members to share traditions and cultures through music, song, dance and native languages
• preparation of cultural cards and booklets to broaden children’s understanding of different cultures, and
• French and Chinese lessons.

For more information about the Excellent rating visit: www.acecqa.gov.au/educators-and- providers1/excellent-rating

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