Celebrating an Exceeding National Quality Standard Rating at St Luke’s Chapman
We are proud to share that St Luke’s Early Learning Community in Chapman has achieved an overall rating of Exceeding the National Quality Standard (NQS) following our most recent assessment and rating, issued in March 2026.
This significant achievement recognises practice that goes beyond the requirements of the National Quality Framework and reflects the deeply embedded culture of quality, reflection and continuous improvement that shapes everyday life at St Luke’s Chapman.
Most importantly, recognises the commitment, professionalism and care of our educators, the strong relationships we share with children and families, and the support of our wider community.
What Is the National Quality Standard?
The National Quality Standard is Australia’s national benchmark for early childhood education and care. Administered by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), it sets clear expectations for high‑quality education, care and environments that support children’s learning, development and wellbeing.
Services are assessed across seven Quality Areas, covering what research and best practice show is essential for children to flourish in the early years, from educational programs and relationships, to health and safety, environments, staffing and leadership.
An Exceeding NQS rating is awarded when practice is:
- Consistently high quality
- Informed by critical reflection
- Clearly embedded in everyday practice
- Responsive to the children, families and community the service supports
Our Assessment and Rating Outcome
St Luke’s Chapman was rated Exceeding NQS overall, with five Quality Areas assessed as Exceeding:
- Quality Area 1: Educational program and practice
- Quality Area 2: Children’s health and safety
- Quality Area 3: Physical environment
- Quality Area 4: Staffing arrangements
- Quality Area 5: Relationships with children
These results reflect the strength, consistency and intentionality of our practice, and the way quality is thoughtfully embedded across the service rather than existing as isolated initiatives.
What the Report Highlighted About Our Practice
The assessment and rating report recognises that at St Luke’s Chapman, quality is visible in the daily experiences of children, and the decisions educators make alongside them.
A Strong Educational Program (Quality Area 1)
The report highlights an educational program that is intentional, responsive and informed by children’s interests, strengths and emerging ideas. Educators demonstrate a strong understanding of how children learn and use ongoing observation, documentation and reflection to extend learning in meaningful ways.
Learning is designed to support children’s:
- Curiosity and agency
- Confidence as learners
- Social and emotional development
- Sense of identity and belonging
Educators engage in regular professional dialogue, ensuring the program remains dynamic, reflective and responsive to children and families.
Children’s Health, Safety and Wellbeing (Quality Area 2)
The report recognises a strong culture of safety and wellbeing, where children’s physical and emotional needs are prioritised at all times.
Practice is characterised by:
- Attentive supervision and proactive risk management
- Clear, embedded health and hygiene practices
- Consistent routines that support children’s sense of security
- Emotional support that helps children feel safe, seen and respected
Children are supported to develop independence and awareness of their own wellbeing within a nurturing and protective environment.
Purposeful Use of the Physical Environment (Quality Area 3)
The physical environment at St Luke’s Chapman is recognised as inviting, well‑organised and thoughtfully designed to support children’s learning and engagement.
Indoor and outdoor spaces:
- Encourage exploration, creativity and problem‑solving
- Supportboth collaborative and quiet, reflective play
- Reflect children’s interests and learning journeys
- Are sustainably minded and responsive to the natural world
The environment is not static, but continually adapted in response to reflection, observation and children’s ideas.
Skilled and Stable Educator Team (Quality Area 4)
The report acknowledges the strength of our educator team, highlighting stable staffing arrangements and the positive impact this has on children’s learning and relationships.
Educators:
- Work collaboratively and support one another
- Demonstrate strong professional knowledge and shared values
- Engage in ongoing professional learning and reflective practice
- Maintain consistent, respectful relationships with children and families
This stability allows children to feel secure and develop deep, trusting connections.
Strong, Respectful Relationships with Children (Quality Area 5)
Relationships are at the heart of practice at St Luke’s Chapman. The report recognises that educators consistently engage with children in ways that are warm, responsive and respectful.
Children are:
- Treated as capable and active participants in their learning
- Supported to express their emotions and ideas
- Encouraged to develop empathy, resilience and confidence
Educators know children deeply and respond sensitively to individual needs, supporting each child to feel a strong sense of belonging.
Why This Matters for Families
For families, an Exceeding NQS rating provides reassurance that your child is learning and growing in an environment where quality is deliberate, reflective and continually strengthened.
It confirms that:
- Children’s voices and capabilities are valued
- Decisions are made in children’s best interests
- Safety, wellbeing and relationships are prioritised
- Educators work together to support each child’s learning and development
Above all, it reflects our commitment to creating a place where children feel secure, confident and supported to thrive.
Quality as a Way of Being
At St Luke’s, quality is a way of being.
This rating reflects an ongoing culture of reflection, collaboration and professional growth, grounded in our shared values and our belief in the importance of early learning. Our educators continually reflect on practice, challenge thinking, and seek ways to further enrich children’s experiences.
We are committed to continuous improvement and to responding thoughtfully to the needs, strengths and aspirations of our children and families.
Thank You
We extend our thanks to our educators, whose professionalism, care and dedication shape the heart of our service.
Thank you also to our families for your trust, partnership and engagement, and to our wider St Luke’s community for your ongoing support.
We are proud of this achievement and look forward to continuing to provide high‑quality early learning experiences where every child is supported to learn, grow and flourish.
