The Gowrie’s Central Governing Body service for kindergartens

All community kindergarten services that receive funding support to deliver a kindergarten program are required by the Government to be members of an approved central governing body.

The Gowrie is an approved central governing body with more than 60 kindergarten services choosing to join our central governing service.

What does the Government expect?
The Queensland Government requires all central governing bodies to ensure their members continue to meet the requirements of an approved kindergarten program provider, and to work with members to maximise enrolments of kindy-age children. Further information is available at:

http://deta.qld.gov.au/earlychildhood/service/access-kindy/central-gov-bodies.html

About The Gowrie
For 70 years The Gowrie’s focus has centred on Queensland children and families and the benefits quality early childhood programs bring to our community. We believe that childhood is a unique time of life, to be valued and enjoyed in its own right. This is the time where foundations are laid for future health, learning and wellbeing.

We value children growing up with the understandings, skills and dispositions to be caring people and effective learners, able to contribute to their world and to enjoy rich and successful relationships with others. We are a community-based organisation with a reputation for commercial competence and our business is solid, viable and growing.

How does our central governing body support kindergartens?
We help members by providing high quality support across a range of areas including:

ECEC coordinator service
We provide daily advice and support to members on regulation, policies, teaching and learning, curriculum, inclusive practices and professional development. Our ECEC coordinators visit each member at least once a term and link member services with other early childhood development services as needed.

Policies
The Gowrie has developed a comprehensive suite of policies for our members that are available online.   Our policies incorporate the requirements of the National Quality Framework and other relevant legislation, and support inclusive practices.  Our ECEC coordinators help members adapt the policies to their local circumstances.

Professional development
Members have access to a range of professional development activities. Our professional development calendar includes activities and upcoming events for committees and staff. Our ECEC coordinators organise quarterly teacher network meetings, which bring together members from within regions to reflect on practice and support professional collaboration.

Workforce issues
We work closely with members to manage workforce issues and seek expert advice as required from the Australian Community Services Employers Association. We also support management committees negotiate with union representatives new enterprise agreements every three years.

Advocacy, communication and promotion
We advocate for and promote our members through our liaison with Government and the media. We provide regular communication by way of our ECEC coordinators, email updates and our quarterly publication Gowrie Link-up. We also help members promote their service locally.

Funds administration
Our senior managers provide specialist advice and support in relation to the Queensland Kindergarten Funding Scheme, the funding guarantee and other potential funding sources. We support members with governance, administration and operational planning including budgeting and identifying human and physical resource needs.

Reporting
We support members with the data collection and reporting requirements of Government including completion of the Child Care Census and providing audited financial statements annually.

What can kindergartens joining us expect to pay?
The annual subscription to our central governing body is $3150 (excluding GST) per kindergarten unit. (as at Jan 2012)

What do our members say about our central governing body?

“The Gowrie are providing excellent guidance and support to our community kindy. So well informed, approachable and encouraging and always working in our best interests.”

 “We have found our central governing body contacts to be very supportive, approachable and reliable. Much appreciated”

 “Our thanks to all at Gowrie for answering endless questions about all sorts of things that crop up for our service. We are so pleased we chose you as our central governing body.”

As well as the informal feedback we receive from our direct contact with member services, The Gowrie conducts an independent kindergarten satisfaction survey each year to capture comprehensive feedback from all member services.  Our first annual survey (2012) results speak for themselves:

Area surveyed  and our members rating on a 5-point scale
ECEC coordinator service
Our visits provide the level of professional support that your service expects   4.76
Our coordinators are professional, well informed, friendly and helpful at all times  4.87
The information we provide is high quality, relevant and timely   4.78
Policies
Our policies match the needs of your service   4.34
Our policies are high quality   4.61
Professional development
Your service is satisfied with our professional development activities   4.50
Our professional development activities are high quality, relevant and helpful   4.57
Workforce issues
In seeking advice about workforce issues, 100% of members surveyed contact us
Our advice on workforce issues is relevant and high quality   4.44
Communication and promotion
Our communication with your service is informative, respectful and sufficiently regular   4.66
Funds administration
Our processes for distributing operating funds are efficient, accurate and easy to follow   4.32
Our annual subscription provides your services with value-for-money   4.52
Reporting
Reporting requirements are streamlined as much as possible to minimise the impost on your service   4.22
Assistance is readily available to help your service meet all reporting requirements   4.41

How can you find out more about our central governing body service?

To find out more about our central governing body service or The Gowrie’s philosophy and organisational values please contact Ms Jane Bourne, Chief Executive Officer, The Gowrie on

0433 392 310 or by email at jane.bourne@ladygowrie.com.au