A'oga Amata (Porirua) E F K S

Education institution number:
55374
Service type:
Education and Care Service
Definition:
Samoan ECE service
Total roll:
48
Telephone:
Address:

11-17 Waihemo Street, Waitangirua, Porirua

View on map

A'oga Amata (Porirua) E F K S

ERO’s Akanuku | Assurance Review reports provide information about whether a service meets and maintains regulatory standards. Further information about Akanuku | Assurance Reviews is included at the end of this report.

ERO’s Judgement

Regulatory standards

ERO’s judgement

Curriculum

Meeting

Premises and facilities

Meeting

Health and safety

Meeting

Governance, management and administration

Meeting

Since the onsite visit, the service has provided ERO with evidence that shows it has addressed non-compliances and is now taking reasonable steps to meet regulatory standards.

Background

A’oga Amata (Porirua) E F K S is a Samoan service governed by the Porirua Ekalesia Fa’apotopotoga Kerisiano i Samoa (EFKS) church. The church minister/manager provides support to the team of a qualified head teacher, six qualified teachers and eight support staff. There are three age-related indoor areas and a shared outdoor environment. Most of the children attending have Pacific heritage, predominantly Samoan. A small number of children are Māori.

Summary of Review Findings

Children are given the opportunity to develop their knowledge and an understanding of the cultural heritages of both parties to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. The service curriculum respects and supports the right of each child to be confident in their own culture and encourages children to understand and respect each other.

Adults providing education and care engage in meaningful, positive interactions to enhance children’s learning and nurture reciprocal relationships. The service curriculum provides a language-rich environment that supports children’s learning.

Consistent implementation of health and safety and governance, management and administration practices are required to maintain regulatory standards.

Actions for Compliance

Since the onsite visit, the service has provided ERO with evidence that shows it has addressed the following non-compliances:

  • Windows or other areas of glass accessible to children are either: made of safety glass; or covered by an adhesive film designed to hold the glass in place in the event of it being broken (PF7).

  • Furniture and items intended for children to sleep on (such as stretchers) that will be used by more than one child over time are securely covered with or made of a non-porous material (PF30).

  • The premises are located in a building that has a current fire evacuation scheme that is approved by the New Zealand Fire Service (HS4).

  • A record of fire drills carried out and evidence of how evaluation of the drills has informed the annual review of the service’s emergency plan (HS8).

  • A record of the time each child attending the service sleeps, and checks made by adults during that time (HS9).

  • Furniture or items intended for children to sleep on (such as stretchers) and bedding are hygienically stored when not in use (HS11).

  • Consideration of hazards must include cleaning agents; other hazardous materials; electrical appliances (particularly heaters); hazards present in kitchen or laundry facilities; placement of learning, play and other equipment; poisonous plants and bodies of water (HS12).

  • A record of excursions must include assessment and management of the risks undertaken; evidence of parental permission and approval of adult:child ratios for regular excursions; evidence of parental permission and approval of adult:child ratios for special excursions; the signature of the person responsible for giving approval for the excursion to take place (HS17).

  • If children travel in a motor vehicle while in the care of the service, a written permission of a parent of the child must be obtained before the travel begins (HS18).

  • Rooms used by children are kept at a comfortable temperature no lower than 18° Celsius (at 500 mm above the floor) while children are attending (HS24).

  • A record of all injuries, including evidence that parents have been notified/informed; and record of illnesses include actions taken and by whom; evidence that the parents have been notified/informed (HS27).

  • A record of all medicine (prescription and non-prescription) given to children attending the service include evidence of parental acknowledgement (HS28).

  • A record of training and/or information provided to adults who administer medicine to children (other than their own) while at the service (HS29).

  • Suitable human resource management practices are implemented in relation to a system of regular appraisal (GMA7).

  • An annual budget guides financial expenditure (GMA9).

  • An attendance record is maintained that shows the times and dates of every child’s attendance at the service. Attendance records must include a record of any absence, with an ‘a’ when a child does not attend at a time for which they are enrolled, attendance registers that have been marked by staff on a once daily basis, evidence (e.g., a signed attendance register) that a parent/guardian of each child has regularly examined and confirmed the attendance record once a week (GMA11).

Next ERO Review

The next ERO review is likely to be an Akarangi | Quality Evaluation.

Filivaifale Jason Swann
Director Review and Improvement Services (Northern)
Northern Region | Te Tai Raki

18 November 2022 

Information About the Service

Early Childhood Service Name

A'oga Amata (Porirua) E F K S

Profile Number

55374

Location

Waitangirua, Porirua

Service type

Education and care service

Number licensed for

72 children, including 22 aged under 2

Percentage of qualified teachers

80-99%

Service roll

64

Review team on site

August 2022  

Date of this report

18 November 2022

Most recent ERO report(s)

Education Review, October 2017; Education Review, November 2014

General Information about Assurance Reviews

All services are licensed under the Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008. The legal requirements for early childhood services also include the Licensing Criteria for Education and Care Services 2008.

Services must meet the standards in the regulations and the requirements of the licensing criteria to gain and maintain a licence to operate.

ERO undertakes an Akanuku | Assurance Review process in any centre-based service:

  • having its first ERO review – including if it is part of a governing organisation

  • previously identified as ‘not well placed’ or ‘requiring further development’

  • that has moved from a provisional to a full licence

  • that have been re-licenced due to a change of ownership

  • where an Akanuku | Assurance Review process is determined to be appropriate.

Management Assurance on Legal Requirements

All early childhood services are required to promote children’s health and safety and to regularly review their compliance with legal requirements. Before the review, the staff and management of a service completed an ERO Centre Assurance Statement and Self-Audit Checklist. In these documents they attested that they have taken all reasonable steps to meet their legal obligations related to:

  • curriculum

  • premises and facilities

  • health and safety practices

  • governance, management and administration.

As part of an Akanuku | Assurance Review ERO assesses whether the regulatory standards are being met. In particular, ERO looks at a service’s systems for managing the following areas that have a potentially high impact on children's wellbeing:

  • emotional safety (including positive guidance and child protection)

  • physical safety (including supervision; sleep procedures; accidents; medication; hygiene; excursion policies and procedures)

  • suitable staffing (including qualification levels; safety checking; teacher certification; ratios)

  • relevant evacuation procedures and practices.

As part of an Akanuku | Assurance Review ERO also gathers and records evidence through:

  • discussions with those involved in the service

  • consideration of relevant documentation, including the implementation of health and safety systems

  • observations of the environment/premises, curriculum implementation and teaching practice.

A'oga Amata (Porirua) E F K S - 20/10/2017

1 Evaluation of A'oga Amata (Porirua) EFKS

How well placed is A'oga Amata (Porirua) EFKS to promote positive learning outcomes for children?

Not well placed

Requires further development

Well placed

Very well placed

ERO's findings that support this overall judgement are summarised below.

Background

A'oga Amata (Porirua) EFKS (AAPE) provides good quality education and care for children. The a'oga is licensed for 72 children, including 22 under two years of age. Most children are Samoan and the roll includes a small number of Māori children.

The philosophy emphasises Christian values, Samoan language and culture, and the unique place of tangata whenua. A'oga leaders are committed to supporting high quality outcomes for children.

The a'oga is governed by Porirua Ekalesia Fa'apotopotoga Kerisiano i Samoa (EFKS) Church. It is managed by an elected committee of parent, church and community representatives. A parent/teacher committee provides regular fundraising support for the a'oga.

The a'oga operates in attractively renovated houses opposite the church premises. The property is well maintained. Three age related rooms, provide separate indoor spaces with adjoining decks for the two younger groups. The landscaped outdoor environment is shared by all age groups. Staffing is stable. Five of the seven staff are qualified early childhood teachers.

The 2014 ERO report identified self review, strategic planning and police vetting as next steps for development. Progress has been made in most of these areas.

The Review Findings

Children are confident in their Samoan culture and language. They have many opportunities to develop oral language skills and friendships. Children engage well in imaginative and cooperative play. They enjoy interacting with each other and with adults. Te reo Māori is included through waiata, karakia and simple instructions. Children access good quality resources and curriculum experiences in maths, science and early literacy.

Infants experience caring one-to-one support from teachers. Teachers could consider how they can enhance the learning environment for under two year olds to better respond to individual children's stages of development and goals.

Teachers articulate a shared understanding of child-led learning and respectful practice that values children's play. They systematically plan, assess and evaluate children's learning through their interests and dispositions. Teachers are developing their reflective teaching practice and internal evaluation to improve their daily practice. They should continue to integrate literacy and mathematics within the context of play.

Teachers share strong, reciprocal relationships with children and their families. Parents have good opportunities to share children's learning. Parents can engage in informative community workshops that support learning partnerships.

Teachers are beginning to look at ways to provide a more challenging programme for the older children through projects. They should review the programme and learning environment to lessen interruptions and better support sustained play for children. Improving children's independent access to the outdoor learning environment, and experiences that extend their thinking and physical challenge are next steps.

The a'oga manager actively engages in external networks and professional development. She encourages teachers to keep up-to-date in their professional learning and to implement new learning through their practice. A new appraisal process is being introduced and is more aligned to Education Council requirements, professional development, research and daily practice.

The board is committed to the a'oga philosophy and to supporting children's learning, wellbeing and success, in partnership with parents and communities. The board has sought external advice to improve financial management processes. Strategic and annual plans could be strengthened by including goals and action plans that align with ongoing internal evaluation.

Key Next Steps

Priorities to improve outcomes for children and centre sustainability include accessing external support that will improve:

  • teaching practices that support an emergent, child-led curriculum

  • internal evaluation processes with the use of effective practice indicators

  • administrative systems and a policy review cycle to ensure that licensing and legal requirements are kept up-to-date.

Management Assurance on Legal Requirements

Before the review, the staff and management of A'oga Amata (Porirua) EFKS completed an ERO Centre Assurance Statement and Self-Audit Checklist. In these documents they attested that they have taken all reasonable steps to meet their legal obligations related to:

  • curriculum
  • premises and facilities
  • health and safety practices
  • governance, management and administration.

During the review, ERO looked at the service’s systems for managing the following areas that have a potentially high impact on children's wellbeing:

  • emotional safety (including positive guidance and child protection)

  • physical safety (including supervision; sleep procedures; accidents; medication; hygiene; excursion policies and procedures)

  • suitable staffing (including qualification levels; police vetting; teacher registration; ratios)

  • evacuation procedures and practices for fire and earthquake.

All early childhood services are required to promote children's health and safety and to regularly review their compliance with legal requirements.

Actions for compliance

ERO identified the following areas of non-compliance. The service needs to improve:

  • records of risk assessment, analysis and management, including clear identification of adult-to-child ratios

  • outdoor equipment to ensure it meets safe-fall requirements

  • records of emergency drills carried out, and evaluation that informs the annual review of the service's emergency plan

  • personnel, employment and child protection policies and procedures relating to the Vulnerable Children Act 2014.

Licensing Criteria for Early Childhood Education and Care Centres 2008, HS8, 17; GMA7.

Next ERO Review

When is ERO likely to review the service again?

The next ERO review of A'oga Amata (Porirua) EFKS will be in three years.

Graham Randell

Deputy Chief Review Officer Northern

20 October 2017

The Purpose of ERO Reports

The Education Review Office (ERO) is the government department that, as part of its work, reviews early childhood services throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. ERO’s reports provide information for parents and communities about each service’s strengths and next steps for development. ERO’s bicultural evaluation framework Ngā Pou Here is described in SECTION 3 of this report. Early childhood services are partners in the review process and are expected to make use of the review findings to enhance children's wellbeing and learning.

2 Information about the Early Childhood Service

Location

Porirua, Wellington

Ministry of Education profile number

55374

Licence type

Education & Care Service

Licensed under

Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008

Number licensed for

72 children, including up to 22 aged under 2

Service roll

63

Gender composition

Girls 32 Boys 31

Ethnic composition

Māori
Pākehā
Samoan
Cook Islands Māori
Tokelau
other

5
3
45
3
2
5

Percentage of qualified teachers

0-49% 50-79% 80%+

Based on funding rates

50-79%

Reported ratios of staff to children

Under 2

1:5

Meets minimum requirements

Over 2

1:10

Meets minimum requirements

Review team on site

July 2017

Date of this report

20 October 2017

Most recent ERO report(s)

Education Review

November 2014

Education Review

April 2010

Education Review

March 2007

3 General Information about Early Childhood Reviews

ERO’s Evaluation Framework

ERO’s overarching question for an early childhood education review is ‘How well placed is this service to promote positive learning outcomes for children?’ ERO focuses on the following factors as described in the bicultural framework Ngā Pou Here:

  • Pou Whakahaere – how the service determines its vision, philosophy and direction to ensure positive outcomes for children
  • Pou Ārahi – how leadership is enacted to enhance positive outcomes for children
  • Mātauranga – whose knowledge is valued and how the curriculum is designed to achieve positive outcomes for children
  • Tikanga whakaako – how approaches to teaching and learning respond to diversity and support positive outcomes for children.

Within these areas ERO considers the effectiveness of arotake – self review and of whanaungatanga – partnerships with parents and whānau.

ERO evaluates how well placed a service is to sustain good practice and make ongoing improvements for the benefit of all children at the service.

A focus for the government is that all children, especially priority learners, have an opportunity to benefit from quality early childhood education. ERO will report on how well each service promotes positive outcomes for all children, with a focus on children who are Māori, Pacific, have diverse needs, and are up to the age of two.

For more information about the framework and Ngā Pou Here refer to ERO’s Approach to Review in Early Childhood Services.

ERO’s Overall Judgement and Next Review

The overall judgement that ERO makes and the timing of the next review will depend on how well placed a service is to promote positive learning outcomes for children. The categories are:

  • Very well placed – The next ERO review in four years
  • Well placed – The next ERO review in three years
  • Requires further development – The next ERO review within two years
  • Not well placed - The next ERO review in consultation with the Ministry of Education

ERO has developed criteria for each category. These are available on ERO’s website.

Review Coverage

ERO reviews are tailored to each service’s context and performance, within the overarching review framework. The aim is to provide information on aspects that are central to positive outcomes for children and useful to the service.

A'oga Amata (Porirua) E F K S - 07/11/2014

Evaluation of A'oga Amata (Porirua) EFKS

How well placed is A'oga Amata (Porirua) EFKS to promote positive learning outcomes for children?

Not well placed

Requires further development

Well placed

Very well placed

ERO's findings that support this overall judgement are summarised below.

Background

Aoga Amata (Porirua) EFKS is administered by the Ekalesia Faapotopotoga Kerisiano Samoa (EFKS) church Porirua, Wellington. The service provides education and care for children from birth to school age. It operates under the guidance of a management committee. The committee is made up of nine elected members including teachers, parishioners and parents.

The service’s philosophy is based on Christian principles, and Samoan language and culture. The philosophy was developed in consultation with staff and parents and focuses on promoting children’s well being. It incorporates the Samoan concept of Falalalaga and references children’s heart, head, hands and feet.

At the time of the 2010 ERO review this service operated under two separate licences. In 2013 the service worked with the Ministry of Education (MoE) to change to one licence. The centre has three separate areas for different age groups of children. There has been continuity of leadership under these changes.

The service has been selected as a support provider for five local Pacific services under the MoE initiative Strengthening Early Learning Opportunities (SELO).

The Review Findings

Children have opportunities to learn and use the Samoan language. Staff are confident and competent Samoan speakers. Mat times provide an additional the opportunity for children to learn and share together through prayer, song and dance.

Children are settled and show a sense of belonging in the centre. They are confident learners and follow their interests through a variety of learning experiences. Children’s conversations are encouraged, accepted and respected. They enjoy engaging in imaginative and creative play.

Teachers work collaboratively to ensure positive learning outcomes for children. They have well established routines and they promote children’s independence. Teachers have caring relationships with children.

Teachers provide babies and toddlers with attentive and responsive care. They support their need for strong and secure attachments. These younger children are well supported to become increasingly independent. Teachers ensure that children experience positive transitions into and through the service, and when they move on to school.

Programme planning is based on children’s interests, strengths and development stages. Literacy and mathematics are promoted through the daily programme. Teachers demonstrate respect for the Tiriti Te Waitangi by developing children’s knowledge of te reo Māori. Teachers work with a professional development provider to strengthen their planning and assessment practice and progress is clearly evident.

Parents contribute to programme planning and celebration of children’s successes. They are well informed about their children’s learning through assessment information in children’s individual portfolios. Children’s and parents’ voices are included in these portfolios.

The well-resourced and attractive environment invites children’s exploration. The outdoor space includes trees, shrubs and well-tended vegetable gardens. A wide range of play equipment offers children of all ages good opportunities for imaginative play and physical challenge.

Self review informs decision making, particularly at the teaching level. Teachers reflect on the quality of their practice. A new appraisal process has been designed to strengthen this process.

Key Next Steps

ERO and the managers agree that next steps include strengthening:

  • self review to guide ongoing programme development and the future direction of the service
  • alignment of the strategic plan to the service philosophy
  • teachers’ curriculum knowledge of all mathematics strands.

Management Assurance on Legal Requirements

Before the review, the staff and management of A'oga Amata (Porirua) EFKS completed an ERO Centre Assurance Statement and Self-Audit Checklist. In these documents they attested that they have taken all reasonable steps to meet their legal obligations related to:

  • curriculum

  • premises and facilities

  • health and safety practices

  • governance, management and administration.

During the review, ERO looked at the service’s systems for managing the following areas that have a potentially high impact on children's wellbeing:

  • emotional safety (including positive guidance and child protection)

  • physical safety (including supervision; sleep procedures; accidents; medication; hygiene; excursion policies and procedures)

  • suitable staffing (including qualification levels; police vetting; teacher registration; ratios)

  • evacuation procedures and practices for fire and earthquake.

All early childhood services are required to promote children's health and safety and to regularly review their compliance with legal requirements.

In order to improve practice centre managers should implement the new health and safety policies.

ERO identified an area of non-compliance. The service must ensure that:

  • all non-registered staff are regularly police vetted [Education Act 1989 Sections 78C to 78D].

Next ERO Review

When is ERO likely to review the service again?

The next ERO review of A'oga Amata (Porirua) EFKS will be in three years.

Dale Bailey

National Manager Review Services Northern Region

7 November 2014

The Purpose of ERO Reports

The Education Review Office (ERO) is the government department that, as part of its work, reviews early childhood services throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. ERO’s reports provide information for parents and communities about each service’s strengths and next steps for development. ERO’s bicultural evaluation framework Ngā Pou Here is described in SECTION 3 of this report. Early childhood services are partners in the review process and are expected to make use of the review findings to enhance children's wellbeing and learning.

2 Information about the Early Childhood Service

Location

Porirua, Wellington

Ministry of Education profile number

55374

Licence type

Education & Care Service

Licensed under

Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008

Number licensed for

72 children, including up to 22 aged under 2

Service roll

57

Gender composition

Boys 31

Girls 26

Ethnic composition

Māori

NZ European/Pākehā

Samoan

Tongan

Cook Island Māori

5

5

44

2

1

Percentage of qualified teachers

0-49% 50-79% 80%

Based on funding rates

80%

Reported ratios of staff to children

Under 2

1:5

Meets minimum requirements

 

Over 2

1:10

Meets minimum requirements

Review team on site

August 2014

Date of this report

7 November 2014

Most recent ERO report(s)

 

Education Review

April 2010

 

Education Review

March 2007

 

Discretionary Review

April 2002

3 General Information about Early Childhood Reviews

ERO’s Evaluation Framework

ERO’s overarching question for an early childhood education review is ‘How well placed is this service to promote positive learning outcomes for children?’ ERO focuses on the following factors as described in the bicultural framework Ngā Pou Here:

  • Pou Whakahaere – how the service determines its vision, philosophy and direction to ensure positive outcomes for children
  • Pou Ārahi – how leadership is enacted to enhance positive outcomes for children
  • Mātauranga – whose knowledge is valued and how the curriculum is designed to achieve positive outcomes for children
  • Tikanga whakaako – how approaches to teaching and learning respond to diversity and support positive outcomes for children.

Within these areas ERO considers the effectiveness of arotake – self review and of whanaungatanga – partnerships with parents and whānau.

ERO evaluates how well placed a service is to sustain good practice and make ongoing improvements for the benefit of all children at the service.

A focus for the government is that all children, especially priority learners, have an opportunity to benefit from quality early childhood education. ERO will report on how well each service promotes positive outcomes for all children, with a focus on children who are Māori, Pacific, have diverse needs, and are up to the age of two.

For more information about the framework and Ngā Pou Here refer to ERO’s Approach to Review in Early Childhood Services.

ERO’s Overall Judgement and Next Review

The overall judgement that ERO makes and the timing of the next review will depend on how well placed a service is to promote positive learning outcomes for children. The categories are:

  • Very well placed – The next ERO review in four years
  • Well placed – The next ERO review in three years
  • Requires further development – The next ERO review within two years
  • Not well placed - The next ERO review in consultation with the Ministry of Education

ERO has developed criteria for each category. These are available on ERO’s website.

Review Coverage

ERO reviews are tailored to each service’s context and performance, within the overarching review framework. The aim is to provide information on aspects that are central to positive outcomes for children and useful to the service.