Tigger’s Honeypot awarded Excellent rating

Date Awarded: 28 March 2018
Valid until: 27 March 2021

Tigger's Honeypot 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 Randwick-based service was recognised for its collaborative partnerships with professional, community or research organisations; its commitment to children that respects, reflects and celebrates culture and diversity, including place of origin; its inclusive partnerships with children and families; its practice and environments that enhance children’s learning and growth; its positive workplace culture and its organisational values; and its sustained commitment to professional development and support of educators.

Examples of exceptional practice at the service include:

• Children are involved in short and long term committees which allow them to voice their opinions and engage in a community group to advocate for the service and to action ideas and projects. Families and educators are also encouraged to develop, lead and participate in committee groups. A long term committee was established to work in consultation with Transport for NSW during a proposed reclaiming of the service’s garden space. Children contributed to the committee by submitting letters and talking to their families and educators about their thoughts and feelings. Children also assisted in the development and proposal of alternate plans submitted to Transport NSW, demonstrating how minimal impact to the service outdoor learning environment could be achieved. 

• Committees have also been responsible for the organisation and development of social activities, such as the ‘service camp out’. Families developed the camp out with support from educators. Families were required to complete a benefit/risk assessment for the event and explained the duty of care requirements before attending the event. Fifteen families and one educator attended the event.  

• The service embraces diversity and engages in discussions and learning experiences with children that challenge stereotypes and break down biases. Children experience intergenerational relationships with residents at a local aged care facility.  The service also works in partnership with families to acknowledge and celebrate each family’s cultural background, values, beliefs and family structure. The service held a party to celebrate Mardi Gras and acknowledged each child’s family structure and significant people in their lives.

• A commitment to embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives ensures the service’s practices and programs are authentic and reflective of its heritage. The service works in partnership with a local Elder and an Aboriginal early childhood consultancy agency, engages in bi-weekly Reconciliation Action Plan meetings, and has regular yarnings.  

• Employee’s health and wellbeing is maintained through weekly yoga classes and monthly social events.

• Children’s learning and growth is promoted through the service’s practice and environments. Children participate in regular excursions to visit their families at work and the school the child will attend, as well as exploring the local community. In addition, a children's kitchen and dedicated woodwork room with real tools and equipment are available for children.

• The service collaborates with professionals and research organisations to measure the impact of its practices and programs. For example, the service sought a partnership with the University of New South Wales’ School of Psychology and School of Psychiatry to measure the impact of its intergenerational program on the wellbeing and growth of children and residents during their participation in the program.

As a leader in the sector, Tigger’s Honeypot contributes to journal articles, publications, and national and international conferences to share its practice and learnings with other education and care services, which helps to ensure its positive impact reaches beyond the children and families who access the service.

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.