The State Government is assessing all of Western Australia’s childcare centres and has named the top 86 centres visited so far.

Under the national accreditation scheme, two childcare centres in Nedlands – the University of WA’s Early Learning Centre and the Unicare Early Childhood Education – have received the top rating of ‘excellent’.

Community Services Minister Tony Simpson also praised 84 childcare centres from Exmouth to Busselton for ‘exceeding’ the national standards.

“Out of all the childcare centres that we have assessed so far, I’m pleased to see so many achieving such high ratings.  Parents can now make informed choices about who cares for their children, based on uniform standards across Australia,” Mr Simpson said.

“It is incredibly rewarding to know these children are attending a centre that understands the importance of making the most of child’s education from the beginning.”

The Minister visited the Online Child Care Centre in Eaton, Bunbury where a qualified early childhood teacher runs kindergarten for four-year-olds.  The centre also offers long day care and before and after school care for children at local schools. The centre, opened by owners Ian and Geraldine Line 18 years ago, has an ‘exceeding’ rating.

Mr Simpson said the Federal, State and Territory governments had introduced the National Quality Standard to improve the quality of Australian education and care services.

“I know a number of services are yet to be assessed and the Department of Local Government and Communities is working hard to make that happen,” he said.

The seven areas covered by the National Quality Standard are educational program and practice; children’s health and safety; physical environment; staffing arrangements; relationships with children; collaborative partnerships with families and communities; and leadership and service management.