Blenheim Early Childhood Centres and Kindergartens Inc Uptown Preschool

Education institution number:
65501
Service type:
Education and Care Service
Definition:
Not Applicable
Total roll:
37
Telephone:
Address:

Uptown Preschool 59 Hospital Road, Blenheim

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Blenheim Early Childhood Centres and Kindergartens Inc Uptown

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

Blenheim Early Childhood Centres and Kindergartens Inc Uptown Preschool is one of three community-based services under common ownership and board governance. A general manager oversees their operation. Each centre is managed by a head teacher. At the time of the review a restructure of operational management was underway.

Summary of Review Findings

Teachers implement an inclusive and responsive curriculum where children’s preferences are respected, and they are involved in decisions about their learning. Suitable strategies are used to promote children’s social competence. Opportunities to develop knowledge and an understanding of the cultural heritages of both parties to Te Tiriti o Waitangi are provided. Children have opportunities to enhance their learning and development both indoors and outside. A sufficient range of resources is provided to support the learning and abilities of those attending. Ongoing monitoring of aspects of health and safety practices, and governance and management is required.

Key Next Steps

Next steps include:

  • to be more intentional in using the learning outcomes from Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum, to show children’s progress over time in relation to their learning goals  
  • make visible parent aspirations through planning and assessment documentation.

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

  • an annual review of the emergency plan is undertaken

  • emergency drills are evaluated to inform the annual review of the emergency plan

  • a procedure for monitoring children's sleep that specifies they are checked for warmth, breathing and general wellbeing

  • parents/caregivers have given prior written approval of the proposed ratio for regular excursions at the time of enrolment; and the signature of the Person Responsible is obtained prior to special excursions taking place

  • that a record of children’s illnesses is kept

  • prominently displaying for parents and visitors the Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations, and Licensing Criteria for Early Childhood and Care Centres 2008.

Licensing Criteria for Early Childhood Education & Care Services 2008, HS7, HS8, HS9, HS17, HS27, GMA1.

Next ERO Review

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

Dr Lesley Patterson
Director Review and Improvement Services (Southern)
Southern Region | Te Tai Tini

15 February 2022

Information About the Service

Early Childhood Service Name

Blenheim Early Childhood Centres and Kindergartens Inc Uptown Preschool

Profile Number

65501

Location

Blenheim

Service type

Education and care service

Number licensed for

34 children aged 2 and over.

Percentage of qualified teachers

80-99%

Service roll

50

Ethnic composition

Māori 18, NZ European/Pākehā 22, , Other ethnic groups 10.

Review team on site

December 2021

Date of this report

15 February 2022

Most recent ERO report(s)

Education Review, May 2018; Education Review, March 2015.

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 regulated 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; police vetting; teacher certification; ratios)
  • evacuation procedures and practices for fire and earthquake.

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.

Blenheim Early Childhood Centres Inc Uptown Preschool - 11/05/2018

1 Evaluation of Blenheim Early Childhood Centres Inc-Uptown Preschool

How well placed is Blenheim Early Childhood Centres Inc-Uptown Preschool to promote positive learning outcomes for children?

Not well placed

Requires further development

Well placed

Very well placed

The centre is well placed to promote positive outcomes for children.

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

Background

Uptown Preschool is one of three centres governed by Blenheim Early Childhood Centres Inc. (BECC). Each centre operates independently with their own Head Teacher. The centres are governed by a Board who are elected members. A business manager oversees the business aspects of the service. An education advisor supports teaching and learning across the centres.

Most staff are qualified and certified teachers.

The centre is licensed for 34 children aged from 2 years to 5 years. Children attending the centre reflect the diverse cultural groups in the local community.

The centre management and teachers have made significant progress in the areas identified in the ERO 2015 report. Internal evaluation and assessment, programme planning and evaluation have improved. Teachers have a better understanding of supporting Māori children. The board is well informed about the curriculum.

This review was part of a cluster where ERO reviewed all three of the centres in the Blenheim Early Childhood Centres Inc.

The Review Findings

The centre's programme strongly reflects the philosophy in practice. Children are well supported to be confident and competent learners.

Teaching practices appropriately support children to engage in sustained, purposeful play and learning. Children's independence, social skills and self-management are promoted. Children's oral language development is well supported.

Children make effective use of well-resourced learning areas that encourages them to develop physical and problems solving skills. Practices that support children's transitions to school are embedded throughout the programme.

Teachers work collaboratively, sharing responsibilities for all children's learning and development. Programme planning and assessment practices are focused on enhancing children's learning. Assessment and planning clearly show learning outcomes for children. Records of learning show very good analysis of children's learning and next steps. These profiles and an online tool allow families to have access and contribute to their children's learning experiences.

Bicultural perspectives are well integrated into learning experiences. Children and teachers use te reo Māori confidently in conversations. Tikanga practices are successfully integrated into daily routines and reflect the teaching team's commitment to a bicultural curriculum.

Effective leadership is promoting collaboration and cooperation within the team. The teaching team is reflective and collegial. The individual strengths of teachers are valued and used well to support and extend children's learning.

Internal evaluation guides decision making and continuous improvements. Actions taken as a result of internal evaluation enhance children's learning experiences and their environment. Teachers' current evaluation focus on the principles of Tātaiako, Cultural Competencies of Māori Learners, is helping to strengthen practices and enrich learning experiences for the children.

A culture of ongoing improvement is well embedded across the organisation. Leaders foster teachers' and parents' shared understanding of the centre philosophy, vision and goals. They consult parents and teachers and use their responses to inform strategic planning on improving outcomes for children.

The centre has very good management systems and processes. Governance policies and procedures are regularly reviewed to guide professional practice. Professional growth is encouraged to build teachers' knowledge and leadership capability.

Key Next Steps

Centre leaders and ERO agree, that the next key steps to improve outcomes for children are to:

  • strengthen links to children's heritage, language and culture including families aspirations
  • further embed the current appraisal system across the teaching team.

Management Assurance on Legal Requirements

Before the review, the staff and management of Blenheim Early Childhood Centres Inc-Uptown Preschool 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.

Next ERO Review

When is ERO likely to review the service again?

The next ERO review of Blenheim Early Childhood Centres Inc-Uptown Preschool will be in three years.

Dr Lesley Patterson

Deputy Chief Review Officer

Te Waipounamu - Southern Region

11 May 2018

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

Blenheim

Ministry of Education profile number

65501

Licence type

Education & Care Service

Licensed under

Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008

Number licensed for

34 children

Service roll

39

Gender composition

Boys 17: Girls 22

Ethnic composition

Māori
Pākehā
Other ethnicities

12
19
8

Percentage of qualified teachers

0-49% 50-79% 80%+

Based on funding rates

80% +

Reported ratios of staff to children

Over 2

1:8

Better than minimum requirements

Review team on site

March 2018

Date of this report

11 May 2018

Most recent ERO report(s)

Education Review

March 2015

Education Review

April 2012

Education Review

February 2010

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.