Galatea Playcentre

Education institution number:
40028
Service type:
Playcentre
Definition:
Not Applicable
Total roll:
11
Telephone:
Address:

4945-4947 Galatea Road, Galatea

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Galatea Playcentre - 01/02/2017

1 Evaluation of Galatea Playcentre

How well placed is Galatea Playcentre 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

Galatea Playcentre is a small, rural early childhood service located in Galatea, near Murupara. This parent-led centre is administered under the umbrella of the Eastern Bay of Plenty Playcentre Association. The playcentre caters for children from birth to school age and is licensed for 25 children, including 12 up to the age of two. There are 14 children on the roll, two who are Māori. Currently, the centre operates one morning session each week during that a supervisor helps the parent members meet qualification requirements.

The 2015 ERO report identified a number of areas for urgent review and development. These included:

  • the upgrade of the physical environment

  • parent education and understanding of playcentre practices and expectations

  • learning interactions, planning and assessment

  • strategic and annual planning

  • establishing robust self-review processes to bring about improvement.

Centre parent members, with the help and support of the Eastern Bay of Plenty Playcentre Association and external expertise, have worked hard in responding to these areas for development. Much work has been done on the physical environment to create a safe and stimulating area for children. Planned self review is being used to improve practice, a strategic and annual plan have been developed, and parents have continued to increase their education and understandings of playcentre practices and assessment expectations.

The centre philosophy aims to provide an early childhood facility that develops the self esteem and independence of parents and children attending, and provides an atmosphere that is warm and welcoming to our varied, mostly rural community.

The centre warmly welcomes parents and visitors, and has established positive relationships with the adjacent school and local community.

The Review Findings

Children access a wide range of resources and learning equipment in a spacious, well set-out environment. Parents carefully present the learning materials to engage children in play. They join children in play and support them to extend their learning and exploration. Areas of play are being reviewed by parents with external advice and guidance. Parents link the playcentre curriculum to Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum. These aspects are helping to provide more stimulating learning opportunities for children.

Parent leaders promote Māori language, culture and identity and there is support for the language through waiata and visual displays. Aspects of tikanga Māori are included in the centre programme.

Relationships amongst parents and children are respectful and supportive. Children make choices and lead their own learning. During this ERO review, effective interactions were observed, including parents enjoying diverse learning activities, and providing children with literacy activities such as storytelling and writing. Children were settled and engaged for a sustained period of time and demonstrated a strong sense of belonging at the centre.

Parents have improved the quality of assessment processes. Children's learning is recorded and made visible on the centre walls, in learning stories, and profile books that describe children's interests and preferences. Contributions from parents, the supervisor, and the wider community enhance the programme for children. Parents have strengthened relationships with the neighbouring primary school, and this is resulting in more effective transitions between centre and school.

Parent members receive informed support from the Eastern Bay of Plenty Playcentre Association. Parent leaders have extended their knowledge and skills and remain committed to centre improvement. Communication between the local and parent organisation has improved. With external support, parent leaders have completed a strategic plan that is displayed. An annual plan guides policy review, funding time lines, workshops and upcoming events. Parent education has continued as many members participate in playcentre courses and have benefitted from external support and guidance. There is a stable roll with succession planning for parent member leadership roles.

A useful process has been introduced to guide parents as they carry out planned and spontaneous review to improve aspects of centre practice. Compliance has been strengthened and in March 2016, the centre was relicensed by the Ministry of Education (MOE). Clear guidelines and procedures guide day-to day practice. Well-planned and thoughtful consideration is being given to sustainability and future growth.

Key Next Steps

Playcentre leaders and ERO agree that next steps for ongoing improvement include:

  • extending and using self review focused on improvement

  • deepening the responsiveness to, and acknowledgement of, the language, culture and identity of all children and their whānau

  • completing the re-landscaping of the outdoor environment.

Management Assurance on Legal Requirements

Before the review, the staff and management of Galatea Playcentre 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 Galatea Playcentre will be in three years.

Lynda Pura-Watson

Deputy Chief Review Officer

1 February 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

Galatea

Ministry of Education profile number

40028

Licence type

Playcentre

Licensed under

Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008

Number licensed for

25 children, including up to 12 aged under 2

Service roll

14

Gender composition

Girls 8 Boys 6

Ethnic composition

Māori

Pākehā

Other

2

10

2

Review team on site

November 2016

Date of this report

1 February 2017

Most recent ERO report(s)

 

Education Review

June 2015

Education Review

March 2012

Education Review

November 2008

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.

Galatea Playcentre - 10/06/2015

1 Evaluation of Galatea Playcentre

How well placed is Galatea Playcentre to promote positive learning outcomes for children?

Not well placed

Requires further development

Well placed

Very well placed

While there is a new group of parents making a positive difference, there is still much work to be done to bring the centre up to the standard required to ensure that children and their families learn and play in a high quality environment.

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

Background

Galatea Playcentre is a small, rural, parent-led early childhood service located in Galatea, near Murupara. The playcentre caters for children from birth to school age and is licensed for 25 children, including 12 up to the age of two. After the 2012 ERO review, the roll dropped due to children going on to school and families moving out of the area. Numbers are now growing again and at the time of this review, there were 21 children on the roll, three of whom identify as Māori. There is currently one morning session each week during which a supervisor helps the centre meet qualification requirements.

A relatively new group of parents is focused on improving the learning and play environment for children, and is in the process of re-landscaping the outdoor area. With advice from the association, the parents have addressed aspects of maintenance and health and safety, and have organised fundraising for the centre. Parents are increasing their levels of course work and have attended professional development to help them gain their qualifications.

The supervisor is modelling good quality interactions and assessment practices. Parents have worked hard to present the indoor environment and resources attractively. They are developing their understanding about assessment, planning and evaluation. However, there remain challenges for which parents need extra support. Some of these challenges were also identified in the 2012 ERO report. These include:

  • building parents’ understanding of, and commitment to, the requirements of playcentre organisation, policies and procedures, and increasing communication with the association
  • completing the upgrade of the physical environment and clarifying their understanding about managing health and safety
  • increasing the engagement of parents in course work, assessment, planning and evaluation, and developing a shared understanding of high quality practice in early childhood education
  • extending parents' understanding and use of self review as a tool for improvement.

This review was part of a cluster of eight playcentre reviews in the Eastern Bay of Plenty Playcentre Association.

The Review Findings

Children and their parents/whānau are increasingly developing a sense of ownership and belonging at the centre. Children help parents set out the resources and equipment, and enjoy playing with one another or independently. The spacious outdoor area offers scope for exploration and discovery in a natural environment and there are appropriate resources available for children. Indoors, parents support their children to play games, enjoy stories and puzzles, and engage in creative activities.

Parents welcome new members and their children into a friendly, family-like culture. They establish positive and supportive relationships and celebrate events and special occasions. Parents have been involved in fund raising to help bring about centre improvements and are making connections with the wider community. Māori perspectives are included within the centre environment and in practice.

Parents are increasing their involvement in ongoing education. They have sought external help to assist them with course work and to improve their skills in writing learning stories. The centre supervisor models positive learning interactions with children and provides guidance and support for parents. Parents are developing strategies to build on children’s preferences and sustain an interest over time.

The New Zealand Playcentre Federation provides overall guidance, support and strategic direction for the local association and centres. The Eastern Bay of Plenty Playcentre Association aims to promote parent membership and is proactive in supporting local events and activities. There are clear policies, procedures and guidelines for self review, assessment, planning and evaluation. Playcentre workshops help parents establish strategies and practices that ensure positive educational outcomes for children. At the time of this ERO review the national federation was in the process of considering changes to the governance and management structure of the organisation.

New parent leaders, with guidance from the association, have worked hard to begin the required improvements to the centre property, environment and organisation. Parents are taking on leadership roles and a support liaison person from the association is linked to the centre. A challenge for this centre is its isolated location and the distance needed to travel to attend meetings and association workshops. Leaders are now improving attendance and participation, and responding to association requests.

Key Next Steps

ERO and the association leaders agree that significant next steps for review and development are as follows:

  • complete the upgrade of the physical environment
  • continue to foster parent education and understanding of playcentre practices and expectations
  • grow parent confidence in developing high quality learning interactions, planning and assessment
  • with the support of the wider association, develop a strategic and annual plan
  • establish robust self-review processes to bring about improvement.

Management Assurance on Legal Requirements

Before the review, the staff and management of Galatea Playcentre 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.

Actions for compliance

ERO identified areas of non-compliance in this centre. To meet requirements the service needs to improve its performance in the following areas:

  • develop an annual plan to guide practice
  • improve understandings and procedures related to privacy of children.

[Licensing Criteria for Early Childhood Education and Care Centres 2008, GMA6, GMA8]

Development Plan Recommendation

ERO recommends that the service consult with the Ministry of Education and plan to address the key next steps and actions outlined in this report.

Next ERO Review

When is ERO likely to review the service again?

The next ERO review of Galatea Playcentre will be within two years.

Dale Bailey

Deputy Chief Review Officer Northern

10 June 2015

2 Information about the Early Childhood Service

Location

Galatea, Bay of Plenty

Ministry of Education profile number

40028

Licence type

Playcentre

Licensed under

Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008

Number licensed for

25 children, including up to 12 aged under 2

Service roll

21

Gender composition

Girls 13

Boys 8

Ethnic composition

Māori

NZ European/Pākehā

3

18

Review team on site

March 2015

Date of this report

10 June 2015

Most recent ERO report(s)

Education Review

March 2012

 

Education Review

November 2008

 

Education Review

February 2006

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.

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.