We are delighted to announce that the St Michael’s Grammar School Early Learning Centre (ELC) has once again been rated ‘Exceeding the National Quality Standard’ by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA).
This outstanding result reflects the dedication, expertise, and care of our Early Learning team, led by Director of Early Learning, Alexandra Fegan.
The Assessment and Rating process involves:
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A review of our current Quality Improvement Plan
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A discussion with the leadership team regarding a range of matters such as our programs, policies and practice
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A visit to our service
On Tuesday 21 October, we completed our Assessment and Rating process after the Senior Authorised Officer from the DET, Rachael Nicholson, visited our service for 4 ½ hours. Whilst onsite, Ms Nicholson observed educator practice and interactions, assessed our compliance with the National Quality Framework and engaged in discussions with staff relating to the program and practice.
Hear below from ELC and Prep parent, Sally, about our educators.
Excellence in Early Learning and Care
In a landscape where families are navigating a range of options from kindergarten and childcare to early learning centres, we are proud to say that our ELC provides exceptional levels of care, the resources of a K-12 independent school, trusted full-time educators and a tranquil and inspiring environment with 100% satisfaction from parents.
Guided by the Reggio Emilia philosophy, children at St Michael’s are encouraged to explore, create, and question in ways that inspire curiosity and confidence, in which each child’s voice is valued, and families are seen as partners.
The recent ACECQA report praised our ELC’s strong community partnerships, reflective practice, and culture of continuous improvement:
As part of the ELC Signature Program, children regularly accessed the wider school facilities and local environment as part of a range of regular outings where they had time to explore, learn, and play. It was evident that each child’s agency was paramount.Senior Authorised Officer from the DET, Rachael Nicholson
Experience Our ELC
Places are still available for 3 and 4-year-olds in 2026. Families are warmly invited to experience our vibrant ELC community through a guided tour with Director of Early Learning, Alexandra Fegan, and her team.
Our ‘Exceeding’ rating confirms what our families already know: our ELC is a place where children are known, respected, and inspired every day.
