Exceeding ratings now held by more than half of Little Scholars’ centres

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Fiona Alston

Nov 05, 2026

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Nine of Little Scholars School of Early Learning’s 17 Queensland early learning centres are now rated Exceeding the National Quality Standard (NQS), following the most recent assessment at the Karalee’s centres first assessment. The result brings the proportion across the family-owned provider’s centres to approximately 53 per cent.

Founder Jae Fraser attributed the result to the work of educators and leadership teams. “Our philosophy has always been about being the best, not the biggest,” Mr Fraser said.

“To have more than half of our campuses rated Exceeding is something we’re incredibly proud of, but it doesn’t happen by chance. It takes a genuine commitment to quality at every level of the organisation, from our leadership teams through to the educators working with children and families every day.”

Mr Fraser said maintaining standards across multiple centres required continued professional development, educational leadership and reflection. “Quality isn’t something you achieve once and then forget about. It requires constant reflection, investment in our people and a willingness to continually improve,” he said.

Karalee achieves Exceeding in five quality areas

Karalee opened in June 2025, with its public quality rating lists an overall Exceeding rating issued in October 2026, with Exceeding results in educational program and practice, children’s health and safety, relationships with children, partnerships with families and communities, and governance and leadership.

The result comes as national Exceeding numbers have declined. ACECQA’s snapshots recorded 3,193 services rated Exceeding across all service types in Q2 2026, down from 3,414 a year earlier. For long day care specifically, 16 per cent of rated services held an Exceeding rating in Q2 2026.

View Karalee’s quality rating here and ACECQA’s national snapshot here.

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