88 A McLeod Street, Upper Hutt CBD, Upper Hutt
View on map|
Not well placed |
Requires further development |
Well placed |
Very well placed |
ERO's findings that support this overall judgement are summarised below.
Irmgard Ritchie Kindergarten is in Upper Hutt. Opening hours are Monday to Friday from 8:30am until 2:30pm. Full day places are available for children aged from two to five years. The philosophy statement places partnership between families and teachers at the heart of children's learning.
The teaching team has remained stable since the October 2013 ERO report.
Irmgard Ritchie is one of 85 kindergartens and three home-based education and care networks governed and managed by He Whānau Manaaki o Tararua Free Kindergarten Association Incorporated (the association). The board and managers provide governance for the organisation. Senior teachers have delegated kindergartens. Their role is to provide regular support, including a range of professional learning and development opportunities for teachers.
This review was part of a cluster of three reviews in the He Whānau Manaaki o Tararua Kindergarten Association.
The kindergarten is consistently effective in promoting positive learning outcomes for children. High quality performance is evident.
The curriculum responds very well to the interests, strengths and abilities of all children. Teaching is highly effective in developing children's confidence and competence as lifelong learners. Children successfully lead their own learning.
Well established partnerships with parents and whānau contribute to positive outcomes for children. Teachers and parents plan experiences to respond to children's strengths and interests and to extend their learning. Respectful, collaborative practices result in an active and nurturing environment.
Children's connections to their cultural identities are successfully extended. With their families, they lead cultural celebrations and share language knowledge. A bicultural curriculum and practice is highly evident. Te reo Māori is woven naturally throughout the programme. Māori children and whānau lead tikanga Māori.
The kindergarten is highly inclusive. The wellbeing and learning of all children is actively promoted. Teachers work collaboratively with families and external agencies to meet children's individual learning goals.
New children and families are warmly welcomed into the kindergarten community. There is an appropriate focus on strengthening the skills and dispositions that will support older children as they prepare for their move to school.
Leadership is highly effective in building the quality of learning and teaching. Teachers and leaders share high expectations for the delivery of a high quality curriculum. On-going research and
well-developed internal evaluation underpins teaching practice and leads to improved outcomes for children.
The association is focused on improving learning outcomes for children. A well-developed range of initiatives supports consistent curriculum implementation and ongoing improvement in teaching and learning.
Effective, efficient internal evaluation is embedded in practice and integral to the kindergarten's sustained high quality operation. Association and kindergarten practices identify contributing factors that enhance children's wellbeing and learning and priorities for development.
Before the review, the staff and management of Irmgard Ritchie Kindergarten 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:
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:
All early childhood services are required to promote children's health and safety and to regularly review their compliance with legal requirements.
The next ERO review of Irmgard Ritchie Kindergarten will be in four years.
Patricia Davey
Deputy Chief Review Officer Central (Acting)
Te Tai Pokapū - Central Region
7 May 2018
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.
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Location |
Upper Hutt |
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Ministry of Education profile number |
5320 |
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Licence type |
Free Kindergarten |
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Licensed under |
Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008 |
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Number licensed for |
42 children, aged over 2 |
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Service roll |
46 |
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Gender composition |
Girls 28, Boys 18 |
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Ethnic composition |
Māori |
6 |
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Percentage of qualified teachers 0-49% 50-79% 80%+ Based on funding rates |
80% + |
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Reported ratios of staff to children |
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1:10 |
Meets minimum requirements |
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Review team on site |
November 2017 |
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Date of this report |
7 May 2018 |
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Most recent ERO report(s) |
Education Review |
October 2013 |
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Education Review |
May 2010 |
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Education Review |
January 2007 |
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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:
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.
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:
ERO has developed criteria for each category. These are available on ERO’s website.
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.
|
Not well placed |
Requires further development |
Well placed |
Very well placed |
ERO's findings that support this overall judgement are summarised below.
Irmgard Ritchie Kindergarten is located in Upper Hutt and caters for children aged from two to five years. It is an all-day centre and licensed for 40 children. At the time of this review 48 children, including 11 Māori, are enrolled
The teaching team comprises a head teacher, four teachers and a teacher aide.
The Rimutaka Kindergarten Association (the association) governs the kindergarten effectively, and provides senior teacher support. The association is committed to maintaining 100% of teachers being qualified. Clear policy guidelines outline association expectations for developing the programme and managing day-to-day operations.
The philosophy celebrates the cultural diversity of New Zealand. The teaching team values an environment where children actively explore alongside others. Teachers plan programmes where children can learn about social relationships, respect for others, self-help skills and being flexible in today’s changing world.
The kindergarten has a positive reporting history with ERO. This review is part of a cluster of eleven kindergarten reviews in the Rimutaka Kindergarten Association.
The kindergarten philosophy is highly evident in practice. The team values and provides a welcoming and challenging environment where children actively explore alongside others.
Teachers establish strong partnerships with families who contribute to the programme. Teachers have identified that while they seek and respond to the aspirations of parents for their children when planning and writing learning stories, they need to be more consistent. ERO’s external evaluation affirms this as a next step for development.
Since the May 2010 ERO report, there has been a significant improvement in assessment, planning and evaluation processes. Staff are participating in the association assessment project and note the impact of the different assessment tools used. Planning is appropriately based on noticing and documenting children’s learning and interests. Teachers show well how they will support and encourage children to extend their learning. Evaluations clearly identify what went well and inform next steps for planning. Attractive visual displays communicate the programme to parents. Portfolios provide a clear record of children’s learning. Frequent links between stories track this learning. Next steps are well identified. There is a high level of parent and child input.
Children engage in a programme where their experiences are extended beyond the immediate environment. Regular trips into the wider community and visitors to the kindergarten reflect parent aspirations and increase children’s knowledge of the local and wider community. Early literacy and numeracy feature strongly in the programme.
As an outcome of review, the environment is well maintained and presented. Well-considered and resourced activity areas promote uninterrupted free play, invite exploration and allow children to challenge themselves. Learning through the natural world is valued.
The kindergarten curriculum supports Māori children to learn about their language, culture and identity. Te reo Māori, tikanga and culture are celebrated through te reo sessions run by a parent and strongly supported by teachers. Teachers have identified what success for Māori, as Māori means to them as a team. They are working positively to provide a programme that reflects a focus on this.
Successful strategies to support Pacific children are integrated into the programme. Children are greeted in their own language. Teachers incorporate Pacific cultural resources, celebrations, music and posters into the curriculum in meaningful contexts.
Children with special learning needs are well supported. Teachers in partnership with parents prepare individual learning plans. Sound goals are set and regularly monitored. Routines and practices are reviewed to ensure children participate in the programme at their own level with suitable resources. External agencies are appropriately involved in planning.
Teachers use a range of effective teaching strategies. Questioning is well used to promote thinking and extend play. Teachers set problems for children to solve, build on their home experiences and prior learning, and model language of play. Children are encouraged to lead their own learning and set personal goals.
The head teacher provides effective leadership. The strengths of each team member are valued. Teachers are encouraged to be innovative, engage in professional discussion and take on opportunities for leadership roles. Association strategic and annual plans guide development. They regularly monitor progress of their own goals. Ongoing use of evaluation and rigorous self review sustain and improve outcomes for children.
Senior teachers provide well targeted, ongoing support and guidance to teachers. They promote regular professional development opportunities and useful systems that are focused on positive outcomes for children.
The 2012 appraisal process was well implemented with feedback to teachers that affirms good practice and identifies areas for ongoing improvement and development. Goal setting for the recently implemented 2013 appraisal has been completed and linked to professional development.
Before the review, the staff and management of Irmgard Ritchie Kindergarten 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:
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:
All early childhood services are required to promote children's health and safety and to regularly review their compliance with legal requirements.
The next ERO review of Irmgard Ritchie Kindergarten will be in four years.
Joyce Gebbie
National Manager Review Services Central Region (Acting)
31 October 2013
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.
|
Location |
Upper Hutt |
||
|
Ministry of Education profile number |
5320 |
||
|
Licence type |
Free Kindergarten |
||
|
Licensed under |
Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008 |
||
|
Number licensed for |
40 children aged over 2 years |
||
|
Service roll |
48 |
||
|
Gender composition |
Boys 28, Girls 20 |
||
|
Ethnic composition |
Māori NZ European/Pākehā Pacific Other ethnic groups |
11 32 3 2 |
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Percentage of qualified teachers 0-49% 50-79% 80% Based on funding rates |
80% |
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Reported ratios of staff to children |
Under 2 |
N/A |
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Over 2 |
1:10 |
Meets minimum requirements |
|
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Review team on site |
August 2012 |
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Date of this report |
31 October 2013 |
||
|
Most recent ERO report(s) |
Education Review |
May 2010 |
|
|
Education Review |
January 2007 |
||
|
Education Review |
May 2003 |
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:
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.
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:
ERO has developed criteria for each category. These are available on ERO’s website.
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.