Page 37 - Tropic Magazine Issue 36

TROPIC • COVER STORY

What does it mean to be named
an ‘Exceeding Centre’?

In order for a centre to be rated as Exceeding the National
Quality Standard (NQS), all seven Quality Areas of the Standard
must be met and four or more must be exceeding it. At least
It not only meets the two of those are obliged to be Quality Areas focused on either
Queensland kindergarten Educational Program & Practice, Relationships with Children,
Collaborative Partnerships with Families and Communities or
learning outcomes but Governance and Leadership.
equips children with the Source: Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority
skills and knowledge
needed for Prep

Kim Comport “Qualified and experienced educators education by allowing them to go on
TAS White Rock are able to provide high-quality care regular excursions. Kelly Hart, the TAS
Early Learning for children, create safe and engaging Kewarra Beach Early Learning Centre
Centre Director
environments, and encourage children’s Director, told Tropic the program allows
active engagement in our learning children to build independence in safe
“We do this by facilitating and extending programs. These staffing arrangements decision-making. “It allows children to
their learning through a planned and also allow us to focus on our relationships explore interactions between people and
reflective approach that focuses on the with the children. Our aim here is to environments,” she said.
individual strengths, likes and interests develop relationships with children that “Through spending time in nature, the
of each child. We set learning and are responsive, respectful and promote children learn and grow, all in a less
development for children that go above belonging and sense of self. Relationships formal setting than a classroom.
and beyond early literacy and numeracy of this kind free children to explore the “We inspire curious learners through
skills to include social, emotional, environment and engage in play and hands-on play and inquiry-based
cultural, artistic and physical goals.” learning. We feel it is not enough to create discovery that promote social, cognitive,
Higher staffing levels are also what makes an environment that works for most physical and emotional development.
the centres ‘exceed’. “We staff our centres children – we provide an environment “Children have the opportunity to learn to
above and beyond the requirements set that is cognisant of all children.” be in control, making their own healthy
out by government rules and regulations,” The Bush Kindy program at Kewarra decisions and facing new experiences
Kim said. Beach also prepares children for primary with enthusiasm.

37 • tropicnow.com.au