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In early childhood education and care, achieving exceeding isn’t just a goal; it’s a testament to dedication, collaboration, and unwavering commitment. For Sanctuary Early Learning Adventure, the journey to receiving an ‘Exceeding’ rating in the Assessment and Rating (A&R) process was a culmination of passion, teamwork, and a shared vision of excellence.
Upon ending 2022, the collective Leadership Team at Sanctuary Early Learning Adventure; comprised of the Approved Providers, Support Office and Centre Directors from each of the five centres, made the decision to embed ‘Exceeding’ into their vision for 2023 and beyond. This began a year long journey working with pedagogical leader, Kelly Goodsir and continued with the ongoing professional development of all of their team members with a strong emphasis on the Educational Leaders.
Through the initiative to pour more focus and support into the teams within the centres, the Leadership Team was convinced the outcomes would be received by the children, families and communities that each of the centres serve.
And the benefits were certainly starting to shine through a dedicated and committed workforce, passionate to support each other and invested in achieving the best outcomes for the children. It’s only natural that Sanctuary’s Directors start to feel more confident in walking alongside their team during an A&R. Leading us to Sanctuary Maudsland’s journey:
Michelle Tuffley, Operations Manager, reflects on the wave of emotions upon receiving the long-awaited news. “I was shocked because we have waited so long for the letter, almost three and a half years since we opened,” she admits candidly. “I then quickly moved to excitement.”
The anticipation and the culmination of years of dedication culminated in a moment of pure exhilaration. Michelle recalls a flurry of calls and texts were then exchanged well into the night with Sanctuary Maudsland’s Director, Fiona Morgan and Approved Provider, Lauren Hall.
Centre Director, Fiona Morgan, vividly recalls the day the announcement of the A&R visit arrived.
“When Michelle called me she said ‘are you sitting down?’ and then told me that we would be having A&R the following week,” she reminisces.
“It was honestly such a great feeling as I knew we were ready.”
Fiona’s confidence in the team’s readiness was palpable, reflecting a year long journey professional development, growth and learning.
As the bearer of exciting news, Fiona was eager for her Leadership Team to share the announcement with the wider team in a manner that would convey their enthusiasm and anticipation. Opting for a video message, she explains, “We wanted to do something that would share our excitement with the team – an email can be read in any tone.” The video not only served as a platform to share information about the upcoming process but also conveyed the genuine excitement and confidence of the leadership team, setting the tone for the journey ahead.
The response from the team was overwhelmingly positive, with excitement permeating through the Centre. Fiona shares, “The majority of our team were excited that the time had finally come.” While some newer team members expressed understandable nerves, the leadership team ensured that each member felt supported and reassured, emphasising the opportunity to showcase their dedication and growth.
The involvement of Lead Educators and Teachers further exemplified Sanctuary’s commitment to exceeding. Lead Educator, Nik, expressed pride in showcasing the team’s achievements, while Teacher, Sara, approached the process with calm confidence, reflecting the thorough preparation and support provided by the Centre.
Reflecting on the aftermath of the A&R experience, Fiona highlights the continued momentum and camaraderie within the team. “The whole team have been buzzing since our Assessment and Rating visit,” she shares. The sense of pride and support exhibited during the visit has translated into ongoing positivity and unity, further fostering their culture of collaboration and celebration.
In offering advice to fellow leadership teams embarking on their own A&R journey, Fiona emphasizes the importance of authenticity and confidence. “Just do what you always do,” she advises. “Enjoy the process and know that the Authorised Officer is looking to see all of the great things you are doing, so SHOW OFF!!”
From an operational perspective, Michelle’s advice would be to use this as an opportunity to showcase all the amazing things you do each and every day. “Remember that the Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) is your evidence, the visit is just an opportunity for the authorised officer to validate that what you have said in your QIP is happening in practice at the centre,” she states.
Sanctuary Early Learning Adventure Maudsland’s attainment of an ‘Exceeding’ rating is not just a triumph for the centre, but a beacon of inspiration for the broader early childhood education community. Through their unwavering dedication, transparent communication, and innovative approaches, Sanctuary epitomises the essence of excellence in early childhood education and care, enriching the lives of all Sanctuary children and their families.
For more information, visit Sanctuary Maudsland.
