Australia's best and worst childcare centres revealed

More than 250 Queensland childcare providers do not meet the minimum requirements of a tough new national quality framework, a nation-wide assessment has revealed.

A strict national quality framework is putting childcare services under the microscope and publishing the results in a bid to improve standards across the country.

“We need to ensure every child has every opportunity to get the best possible start,” Rachel Hunter from the Australian Children’s Education and Care Authority said.

One third of Australia's 14,000 childcare providers have been assessed 18 months since the legislation was introduced, revealing almost 2,000 do not meet the minimum requirements of the framework.

Of these, 254 are in Queensland, 898 in New South Wales and 311 in Victoria.

“Children are the most valuable thing,” Karene Janke from Wynnum Family Daycare said.

“We need to make sure we care for the needs of the children and just look after the children the best we can.”

The services are tested in seven areas including educational programs, health and safety and staff arrangements.

The services are given a rating from ‘significant improvement required’ to ‘excellent’.

Brisbane's Wynnum Family Daycare is the first in Australia to receive an excellent rating, overall.

“Parents expect it to be a home away from home, they expect their children’s needs to be met, they expect their children’s interests to be extended,” Ms Janke said.

So far 12 centres have been placed in the lowest category of ‘significant improvement required’, including Miss Lollies in Cairns, Queensland, Little Smarties in Rosehill, New South Wales, and Wonderkindy in Port Melbourne, Victoria.

Almost 10,000 services still need to be assessed including Habitat Early Learning in Brisbane, which claims to provide a five star experience with an in-house music program, mandarin classes, iPad lessons and a qualified chef.

“On a daily basis, we seek ways to improve outcomes, improve every aspect of our practice,” Habitat’s Kerrin Thomas said.

Services are increasing fees in order to meet the costs associated with rising standards.

A survey has found that two out of three childcare services have raised fees by up to $13 per day to meet the new standards.

This is expected to rise to $22 dollars per day by 2020.

“Quality is an investment, it's an investment in both the future of their children and importantly for the future for Australia,” Ms Hunter said.

A national ratings register has been set up for parents, which can be viewed here.