We are proud to announce that Discovery House Early Education and Care has been rated Exceeding the National Quality Standard.
Huge congratulations to the team at Discovery House.
The team were commended for using the Gowrie Program Foundations document, and reflecting on practice through professional reading and discussion to build understanding of best practice in early childhood education.
‘The theories and pedagogies that underpin the Gowrie Program Foundations were evident in practice and supported continuity for children throughout the service.’
Centre Manager, Cindy Van der Voet commented on the importance of prioritising staff wellbeing and working collaboratively with families as critical components to the centres successful rating. The assessor acknowledging;
'Strategies to support families to communicate their gratitude to educators have helped to develop a sense of belonging and community within the service over the short period of time they have been operating'
Exceeding NQS is going above and beyond what is expected at the Meeting NQS level. Here is a guide to the National Quality Framework.
Exceeding practice is:
Embedded in service operations (Theme 1).
Practice is embedded in service operations when it occurs consistently, frequently and intentionally as part of an ongoing process that is understood and implemented by all educators across all aspects of the program.
Informed by critical reflection (Theme 2).
Critical reflection involves a deep level of regular and ongoing analysis, questioning and thinking that goes beyond evaluation and review. Critical reflection informs practice when the continuous reflection of all educators, individually and together, influences decision-making and drives continuous quality improvement.
Shaped by meaningful engagement with families and/or the community (Theme 3).
Practice is shaped by meaningful engagement with families and/or the community when educators actively seek input, guidance and feedback from children, families and the community. Meaningful engagement with families and/or the community helps to shift thinking, shape ongoing practice and foster a culture of inclusiveness and sense of belonging for all.
These themes are explored further within the Guide to the NQF.
To be rated Exceeding NQS overall, all Quality Areas must be at least Meeting NQS, and four or more Quality Areas must be Exceeding NQS, with at least two of these being Quality Areas 1, 5, 6 or 7.
The higher level of quality is assessed against each of the 15 NQS Standards using the three Exceeding themes.
Learn More about Gowrie NSW and Discovery House today.
Contact us to arrange a centre tour so we can get to know your family and lay the foundation of a strong partnership.