Inspire Carlingford recognised for Exceptional practice
Date awarded: 7 February 2018
Date valid until: 6 February 2021
Inspire Carlingford 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.
The Sydney-based service was recognised for its inclusive partnerships with children and families, practice and environments that enhance children’s learning and growth, and positive workplace culture and organisational values.
Examples of exceptional practice at the service include:
- A Science Club where children can use fun activity sheets that note the process for conducting experiments. These sheets can also be taken home by the children to conduct experiments with families.
- The creation of a book, ‘The Gratitude Project’, which is a collection of artwork and writing that children have shared about what they are grateful for.
- The creation of a resource book, ‘Helping your child with their maths’, to support families and educators across all Inspire services in guiding children’s homework.
- The introduction of martial arts classes at the service to help children with self-discipline and respect, as well as develop coordination, concentration and confidence.
- Inclusion of a Numeracy Club and Literacy Club into the program. Children can choose to participate to become more engaged, passionate learners.
- An ‘Ideas Board’ to encourage children and families to provide input. Families are encouraged to use a ‘Post-it’ note provided to ‘jot down’ an idea. All the Post-it notes are added to the service’s ‘Ideas Book’ which is referenced when educators are programming.
As a leader in the sector, Inspire Carlingford has introduced family martial arts classes run from a local Scout hall to build a community of stronger and fitter families. Classes have a relaxed, fun atmosphere, with both children and families enjoying the class together. Participants are not just from Inspire Carlingford – they have attracted people from the wider community, helping to ensure its positive impact reaches beyond the children and families who access the service.
The service has developed a range of resources that have been shared amongst all the Inspire services, including science and maths resources. The service coordinator also runs workshops and presents at conferences to assist educators with how to use these resources.
More information on the Excellent rating is available on the ACECQA website.