Director Kate Olsen said the pre-school went through an assessment and rating process in October, with an assessor visiting from Sydney for two days.

The assessor rated the pre-school against the seven quality areas of the National Quality Standards – educational program and practice, children's health and safety, physical environment, staffing arrangements, relationships with children, collaborative partnerships with families and communities, and governance and leadership.

Ms Olsen said the pre-school is assessed every three to four years and had previously only received the rating of “meeting” National Quality Standards.

“It was our goal over the past 12 months to strive toward getting a higher rating,” she said.

“We are very happy to announce that we received a rating of exceeding’ in all seven quality areas.

“We are so proud, and could not have done this without the team of staff, committee members, children, families and community connections here at Gunnedah Preschool.”

Ms Olsen said the assessor mentioned  “the positive connections we have with the local Aboriginal community” and the employment of a full-time community and engagement officer.

“We were even blown away that our assessor highly encouraged the centre to apply for a centre of excellence rating, which only a handful of services in NSW have gained,” Ms Olsen said.

“We will be doing this in the next couple of weeks. In the meantime, we are celebrating this great achievement.”