Quality, Inclusive and Safe Services and Support Programs
“These results are a testament to our teams’ unwavering passion and ongoing commitment to creating high quality, safe and inclusive play and learning environments where children can thrive.”
We will continue to provide high quality, inclusive and safe education and care services and support programs to Tasmanian children.
Our 2024-25 key projects, achievements, successes to be celebrated under this priority included:
High Quality Services and Supports
Our work in providing high quality education and care for children was underpinned by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA)’s National Quality Framework (NQF). The quality of our services continued to be built on consistent, evidence-based practice and rigorous Assessment and Ratings (A&R) and Quality Improvement Programs (QIPs). To enhance our work under the NQF we: appointed a Quality and Safeguarding Lead role; appointed a Project Manager with a focus on enhancing quality and continuous improvement; introduced a Nominated Supervisor Induction Process; developed a Quality Tool to provide educators with a fit for purpose approach to applying the quality standards; regularly involved educators in the development and implementation of policies and procedures; and our Regional Managers, Educational Leaders and Education and Care Leadership Team had regular connection with services.
We acknowledge and celebrate the incredible work undertaken by the teams at our services that completed their Assessment and Rating process in 2024-25 and achieved a rating of ‘Exceeding’ or ‘Meeting’ the National Quality Standards. Congratulations to University South (LDC) for reaching the significant milestone of being assessed as ‘Exceeding the National Quality Standard’. Congratulations to Bowen Road (LDC & OSHC), Penna Road (LDC), South Hobart (LDC & OSHC), Alanvale (LDC), Gordon Square (LDC), University North (LDC), University North (OSHC) and Youngtown (OSHC) for being assessed as ‘Meeting the National Quality Standard’. These results are a testament to our teams’ unwavering passion and ongoing commitment to creating high quality, safe and inclusive play and learning environments where children can thrive. LGT will continue to invest in projects and initiatives to support educator capability and continuous practice improvement.
Child Safety
Continuing to implement and assess risk and safety in our services and programs remained a priority this year. Reported concerns were taken seriously and followed up with appropriate action, including reporting and investigation. Initiatives included: a dedicated Risk and Safety Lead role; developed a Commitment to Child Safety Statement; implemented Braveheart’s Ditto personal safety program in more services; Child Protection training for 531 employees; Safe Sleep training for 341 employees; First Aid training for 412 employees; evolution of our incident management system 1Place to support prompt and accurate reporting of concerns; implemented a feedback system to enhance our work under the NQF and to support our response to the Reportable Conduct Scheme and Child Safe Standards in the Child and Youth Safe Organisation Act, 2023; re-developed our menu to meet new health and safety requirements in the National Australian Guidelines, Move Well Framework and NQF; regularly updated families with new child safety initiatives and improvements to our child safety practices; and promoted awareness of how to identify and report incidents or allegations of child harm.
Pedagogy & Practice
A new planning model was implemented to support educators to deliver high quality, inclusive and intentional learning. The model supports educators to collaborate, reflect and be intentional in their practices so we can continue to offer a holistic curriculum that responds to children’s strengths, ideas, knowledge, culture, abilities and interests. Careful planning, education and support ensured the success of the new planning model and feedback from our children, families and educators was overwhelmingly positive. Other initiatives included: embedded ways to integrate children’s voices in program planning and play experiences; refreshed our Education and Care Philosophy to reflect current practice and regulatory reforms; services continued their individual reconciliation journeys to strengthen children’s understanding of the history, culture and traditions of the Palawa people; strengthened educator confidence and capability in delivering inclusive practices and learning experiences for all children; continued to partner with Inclusion Professionals and Allied Health Professionals to support and nurture the potential of all children; and significant investment in learning resources and equipment for our services.
Working Together Program
We continued to partner with the Department for Education, Children and Young People (DECYP) to offer Working Together (WT) places for children who might not otherwise participate in early education and care. We saw an increase from 24 places in 2023-24 to 32 places and up to 32,000 total funded hours of care in 2024-25. Our WT participating services are Campbell Street, University South, Alanvale, Gordon Square, Oatlands, Swansea and University North. We proudly supported the Working Together program with its significant social impact and improved educational and life outcomes for children including: holistic support to help address barriers to participation in early learning; tailored support for children to learn, play, make friends, thrive and build confidence for life; fostering supportive connections to help families and children to transition from home, to early learning and then school; and building the capacity of our educators involved in WT through investment in professional learning and ongoing practice support.
“We proudly supported the Working Together program with its significant social impact and improved educational and life outcomes for children…”
Partnerships with Families
We continued to value our partnerships with families and strengthened our communication between educators and families, both on an informal and formal basis. Daily interactions and communication with families about children’s learning, development and wellbeing ensured the provision of high quality, inclusive and safe education and care. Initiatives included: involved families in the design and implementation of our new planning model; communicated our latest achievements, innovations, and examples of excellence with families via Storypark, newsletters and social media; gifted a book to all children in December 2024 to share with their families; and provided families with current research and resources to support and enhance their parenting journey. Special events that strengthened our partnerships with families included: Pedder Street’s Bush Playgroup; West Launceston Preschool’s Grandparent’s Day; Campbell Street’s Children’s Creative Arts Exhibition and Battery Point’s Art from Trash Exhibition.
Community Connections
Fostering children’s connection to community supports their sense of belonging and enhances their social skills, confidence, and resilience. Building community connections remained a focus in 2024-25 with the following initiatives and events: opportunities for children to learn from and connect with older people through Intergenerational Care programs at our Swansea (LDC & OSHC), Kingston (LDC) and Brighton (OSHC) services; visits from Tasmania Police, Ambulance Tasmania and Tasmania Fire Service; OSHC excursions to local community parks and attractions during school holidays; community partnering and support of Tassie Mums donation campaigns to help at-risk Tasmanian babies and children; and engaging our community in celebrations including Harmony Week NAIDOC Week, Children’s Week and Nature Play Week. Our community came together once again on Educators’ Day to thank and celebrate our educators and the teams that support them in their work with children. We truly appreciated the messages of gratitude and thanks from our children and families.
“Daily interactions and communication with families about children’s learning, development and wellbeing ensured the provision of high quality, inclusive and safe education and care.”
SERVICE PROVISION
Our Education and Care Services played a significant role in supporting children and families through one of the 20 Long Day Care services and 22 Outside School Hours Care services. This is evidenced during the reporting period where LGT Education and Care Services supported:
LDC – 2423 Children
OSHC – 2676 Children
LDC – 2028 Families
OSHC – 1886 Families
*NB – Numbers this year are based on actual attendance, not on numbers attending different service types (Long Day Care, After School Care, Before School Care and Vacation Care) as in previous years.