A Head Start Children’s Centre Currumbin, located on Queensland’s Gold Coast, took out top position in the state. Achieving a rating of 9.8 on the KindiCare App, the centre also achieved an Exceeding National Quality Standards Rating by ACECQA.

Operated by an independent childcare provider who operates two centres, A Head Start Children's Centres are small, beautiful and homely, providing excellent care and an outstanding educational program that prepares children for school and life.

Founded by Dr Laurel Scanlan, A Head Start’s mission is to enrich each child’s potential for excellence by providing the social, emotional, physical and intellectual environment to nurture, encourage and support their construction of knowledge and ability to succeed in life and contribute to society.

Centre Manager Renee Haig-Greenwood said that when she first walked through the doors of A Head Start Children’s Centre, she was so impressed by the natural environment that surrounds the centre and the purposefully set up play spaces designed to provoke interest and creativity for the children. It encompassed everything she hoped a childcare centre would be and from there, her passion for working at A Head Start Children’s Centre grew.

“During my 13 years at A Head Start Children’s Centre, I have been fortunate to work with children in every age group as an Assistant Educator and Lead Educator and them Assistant Director and finally Centre Director.“

“I love working at A Head Start Children’s Centre because it is such a fun and enjoyable place to be. We are like a big family, and I have made lifelong friends during my time at the Centre. Getting to know the children and their families is so rewarding, and as a parent myself I appreciate how important the relationships that form between families and our staff are.”

As an exceeding centre in all 7 quality areas, Haig-Greenwood said part of the reason for the high quality of early childhood education and care delivered at the centre was the Longevity of their staff which they believe is a crucial factor in forming secure and reciprocal relationships with the families who use the centre and fundamental to the children’s learning and development.

“Our focus has always been to provide educators with the knowledge and tools enabling them to lay a foundation for each child to achieve their full potential.”

“Working with infants and young children is incredibly beautiful and rewarding. Laurel’s passion is to provide excellence in education and care for children and their families in a beautiful, safe and loving environment.”