Council childcare gets top marks

Wednesday, 17 February 2016

Local families can sleep well knowing their children are receiving quality childcare with Council childcare centres receiving high marks nationally.

Penrith Mayor Karen McKeown said the most important thing in most of our lives is our children.

"We want our children to have enjoyable lives, succeed in areas that are important to them and getting a great social and educational start in life is vital to that," Councillor McKeown said.

"Penrith Council is proud of the positive part we can play in children's development.

Council centres are rating well in the national assessment and rating system. The National average is 66% of services meeting or exceeding the Standard and we are well above that, which demonstrates Penrith Council's commitment to quality early childhood education."

Under the NQF, all childcare centres across Australia are being independently assessed and rated in seven vital areas including educational programs, health and safety and staffing qualifications. Each of Council's long day care services has at least one degree qualified teacher on staff.

Centres are also given an overall rating for their service which is available for parents to see on the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority website ( www.acecqa.gov.au) and www.mychild.gov.au.

Information contained within this news release was correct as at Wednesday, 17 February 2016.