KU Annual Report 2015 | Page 12

ADVANCING QUALITY Recognising Excellence KU SERVICES ASSESSED THUS FAR KU centres assessed 69% KU centres yet to be assessed 31% In October 2015 KU Corrimal East was 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. The Excellent rating is the resut of special additional consideration, and is designed to recognise elements of the program that make the service exemplary, and set a service apart from other services in the sector. As a leader of quality in the sector, KU views this highest level of achievement as testament to an ongoing commitment to staff, children and families, and a focus on continuous improvement. KU Corrimal East was recognised for providing exceptional education and care for children and families. The preschool has been involved in numerous programs and projects that have provided a focal point on building attachment and relationships with and between children, their families, communities and staff. It is the outstanding commitment, and ongoing learning demonstrated by the whole team at KU Corrimal East, that has been central to the preschool’s success throughout the journey to Excellence. Megan Dodds, the preschool’s Director, explained their approach. KU’S QUALITY DIFFERENCE Source: NQF Snapshot Q4 2015, ACECQA KU NQS RESULTS SECTOR NQS RESULTS 120th Annual Report 2015 “The way we talk with, and the way we are with the children makes a difference. It is a difference that can be seen, heard and felt upon entering our centre. We regularly receive feedback from visitors to the centre who say that it has a different feel and sound to other centres”. The service demonstrated exceptional practice across a range of areas, including collaborative partnerships with professional and research organisations. These connections support the educators, children and families to engage in programs and practices which support the building of rich and deep attachments and relationships. The value of specialist programs such as the foundations of Circle of Security and Attachment Theory, were acknowledged by ACECQA when the Excellence rating was awarded. One parent described the sense of belonging these deep relationships have fostered amongst their children and family.