What does an Exceeding childcare rating mean?

An Exceeding National Quality Standard rating means an early learning centre performs above Australia’s national benchmark for education and care quality.

Who awards the Exceeding rating?

Early childhood education and care services are assessed by regulatory authorities using the National Quality Standard, with ratings recorded by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA).

Does an Exceeding rating matter for my child?

Yes. An Exceeding rating indicates that the centre demonstrates high-quality educational practices, safe environments and strong relationships with children and families.

How often are childcare centres assessed?

Centres are periodically assessed and rated against the National Quality Standard. Services must maintain high standards to retain their rating.

What age groups does Sanctuary Maudsland support?

Sanctuary Maudsland provides early learning and care for children from six weeks to school age, supporting each stage of development.

Can I visit Sanctuary Maudsland?

Yes. The best way to experience our centre is to visit in person. Our team would love to welcome you and show you around. Click here to enquire today.

What Exceeding means for your child at Sanctuary Maudsland

Choosing the right early learning environment for your child is an important decision. If you’ve seen that Sanctuary Maudsland is rated “Exceeding the National Quality Standard”, you may be wondering what that actually means for your child.

In simple terms, an Exceeding rating means the centre delivers education and care that goes above Australia’s national quality standards. For families, this provides confidence that children are learning and growing in a high-quality, nurturing environment.

At Sanctuary Maudsland, this recognition reflects our commitment to creating a place where children feel safe, supported and excited to learn every day.

Early Childhood Education and Care services in Australia are assessed using the National Quality Standard (NQS).

The NQS is overseen by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) and sets the benchmark for high-quality early childhood education and care across the country.

Centres are assessed across seven important areas including:

educational programs and practice
children’s health and safety
the physical learning environment
relationships with children
partnerships with families and communities
leadership and service management
staffing arrangements.

An Exceeding rating means the service consistently demonstrates practices that go beyond the standard requirements in multiple areas.

This rating recognises early learning centres that provide exceptional environments where children can learn, explore and thrive.

Sanctuary Maudsland is recognised on the ACECQA National Register as Exceeding the National Quality Standard.

This reflects our team’s ongoing commitment to providing:

thoughtful, play-based learning experiences
strong and respectful relationships with children
supportive partnerships with families
engaging learning environments
continuous improvement in education and care.

You can view the official listing on the ACECQA National Register here:
https://www.acecqa.gov.au/resources/national-registers/services/sanctuary-early-learning-adventure-2

For families, this recognition offers reassurance that Sanctuary Maudsland provides a learning environment focused on quality, safety and wellbeing.

While the rating itself is important, what matters most is how it benefits children each day.

At Sanctuary Maudsland, an Exceeding rating reflects the everyday experiences children have in our care.

Strong relationships with educators

Children learn best when they feel safe and connected. Our educators build genuine relationships with each child, helping them develop confidence and a sense of belonging.

Engaging learning through play

Our programs are guided by the Early Years Learning Framework and focus on play-based learning that supports curiosity, creativity and exploration.

Children are encouraged to:

ask questions
experiment and discover
express themselves through creative play
build social and communication skills.

A focus on wellbeing

Health and wellbeing are central to our philosophy. Children experience:

active outdoor play
opportunities for mindfulness and calm
healthy eating habits
environments that support emotional wellbeing.

These experiences help children build positive habits that support lifelong learning and development.

At Sanctuary Maudsland, we believe early childhood education should nurture the whole child — socially, emotionally, physically and intellectually.

Children take part in a wide range of meaningful experiences including:

creative arts, music and dance
nature-based outdoor learning
sustainability activities such as gardening
life skills programs including cooking experiences
collaborative play that builds friendships and confidence.

These opportunities encourage children to develop independence, resilience and a lifelong love of learning.

Families often tell us they feel a sense of warmth and belonging when they visit our centre.

That’s because Sanctuary is built around strong values of connection, respect and, inclusion and collaboration.

At Sanctuary Maudsland we focus on:

creating a home-like environment where children feel safe
supporting curiosity and adventure through learning
building strong relationships with families
nurturing each child’s confidence and individuality.

Our Exceeding rating reflects the dedication of our educators and the supportive community we’ve built together.

What does an Exceeding childcare rating mean?
An Exceeding National Quality Standard rating means an early learning centre performs above Australia’s national benchmark for education and care quality.
Who awards the Exceeding rating?
Early childhood education and care services are assessed by regulatory authorities using the National Quality Standard, with ratings recorded by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA).
Does an Exceeding rating matter for my child?
Yes. An Exceeding rating indicates that the centre demonstrates high-quality educational practices, safe environments and strong relationships with children and families.
How often are childcare centres assessed?
Centres are periodically assessed and rated against the National Quality Standard. Services must maintain high standards to retain their rating.
What age groups does Sanctuary Maudsland support?
Sanctuary Maudsland provides early learning and care for children from six weeks to school age, supporting each stage of development.
Can I visit Sanctuary Maudsland?
Yes. The best way to experience our centre is to visit in person. Our team would love to welcome you and show you around. Click here to enquire today.

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It Takes a Village: How Partnerships Support Children and Families in the Early Years

By Emma Rossely • October 14, 2026

There's an old saying that it takes a village to raise a child. And while the world has changed considerably since those words were first spoken, the sentiment behind them feels just as important today. Because behind every child who is learning, growing, discovering and finding their place in the world, there are people helping them along the way. Parents, grandparents, siblings, educators, friends and neighbours. People who celebrate the milestones, offer reassurance on the difficult days and help children feel that they belong. In early childhood education, strong partnerships between families, educators and the wider community help children feel safe, supported and connected. These relationships bring together the people who know and care for a child, creating a network of support that extends well beyond the childcare centre. At Sanctuary Early Learning Adventure, we believe these connections are at the heart of a meaningful early learning experience.