Assessment and Rating

Some of the benefits of using an accredited service (rather than a baby sitter or a nanny) is that you know the service is accountable to a set of standards and is subject to review.  We recently went through a 3 day review where the Depatment of Education and Training looked at our office administration processes and then visited 3 educators homes to report on our service in action.  

The possible outcomes of the review are:

• Exceeding National Quality Standard
• Meeting National Quality Standard
• Working Towards National Quality Standard
• Significant Improvement Required

The NQF Snapshot (published here) highlights that 66% of Family Day Care providers are Meeting or exceeding National Quality Standard.

We are very pleased with the report and very proud to be supporting our Educators.  The report findings are validating and accurately capture our drive and ethos and we still have our eye on improvement and have set our goal to 'Exceed National Standards' in our next rating.

The Department of Education has been very supportive of our approach noting, 'The Early Years Framework `Belong, Being and Becoming' and `My Time Our Place' and an underpinning `Steiner' philosophy had been used by the co-ordination unit in their endeavor to support educators' understandings of curriculum decision making to encourage children's learning.’

Importantly, Ignite Minds delivers interest based leaning where we explore and extend a child’s curiosity.  The Department has written, ‘Curriculum decision making [for] each child's learning and development [contributed] outcomes in relation to their identity, connection with community, wellbeing and confidence as learners and effectiveness as communicators.’

At Ignite Minds, individual thoughts and feelings matter.   ‘Each child's current knowledge, ideas, culture, abilities and interests were the foundation of the program and educators supported the children's efforts, assisting and encouraging as appropriate. Children had access to a range of materials that supported open ended learning opportunities.'

‘The environment at educator's residences provided opportunities for role-play with a variety of props, demonstrating curiosity and investigation concepts through play, and promoting interest in early literacy.  Educators encouraged children's efforts and supported children to participate in the program.' 

Authorised Officer, Department of Education, Ignite Mind Assessment and Rating Report - March 2016

Please click on the image below to access the full report.