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The two childcare centres at UWA – the UWA Early Learning Centre and the Unicare Early Childhood Education – have been named the best in the state under the State Government assessed National Quality Standard (NQS).

Both centres received a rating of ‘excellent’, the highest rating possible for early childhood education and care. The ratings put our childcare centres at the top of the 86 in WA that have been accredited under the NQS so far.

UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Johnson said the results were pleasing and highlighted the high quality of service that the childcare centres at UWA provide to families and the community.

“To have achieved this top rating is a significant accomplishment and demonstrates the tremendous effort of those who work at the centres and the high standards in place to provide a quality teaching and learning environment,” Professor Johnson said.

“The NQS assessment and ratings process is important in setting a benchmark for early childhood centres in WA, helping improve the quality of Australian education and care services.”

Olivia Harper-Rummens, Director of the UWA Early Learning Centre, said the results were a significant accomplishment for those at the centres.

“At UWA Early Learning Centre, we work hard to build and enhance our early childhood learning program to ensure we provide a positive and fun teaching and learning environment for the children we look after,” Ms Harper-Rummens said.

“We are delighted to receive a rating of this calibre along with Unicare at UWA. It’s a real credit to all the hard work of the staff here and at the University and couldn’t be achieved without the support we receive from the families whose children attend the centre.”

The NQS assesses childcare centres on seven criteria: 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.

For more information on the NQS ratings system, visit the Department of Local Government and Communities website .