Byron Preschools Top Nation for ‘Exceptional Practice’

 

Of the 17,000 early childhood education and care centres in Australia, only 33 currently hold the ‘excellent’ rating, the top category attainable for exceptional practice under the National Quality Standards. 

In June 2024, Byron Bay Preschool Coogera and Byron Bay Preschool Cavanbah were both awarded an excellent rating, positioning Byron Bay Preschool as the first multi-centre early childhood organisation in Australia to ever achieve ‘excellence’ across all licences.

Bridget Isichei, Director of Byron Bay Preschool Coogera and Cavanbah services told The Echo, ‘Our journey towards attaining two excellent ratings has driven us as an organisation to continue to find new ways to push our boundaries for responsive programs and innovative practice’. 

‘We wouldn’t have done it without our amazing community supporting us every step of the way.’

Ms Isichei says Byron Bay Preschool was established in the Byron Shire in 1976. 

‘The Australian Education and Care Quality Authority (AECQA) commended both centres for their exceptional commitment to improving outcomes for children, which was evidenced through the organisations’ forest preschool, intergenerational programs, trauma-informed teaching practices and community support groups’.