Roberts Street, Martinborough
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.
Martinborough Kindergarten is located in Martinborough, a small rural town in the South Wairarapa District. It 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). This is a new kindergarten association created from joining the Rimutaka and Wellington Kindergarten Associations in 2014. This is the first review for the kindergarten since the merger.
The service is licensed for 40 children aged over two years, and of the children enrolled, five are Māori. Since the August 2013 ERO report, the kindergarten has diversified to offer five, six hour sessions for a mixed-age group. Parents also have the option of whānau grouping for their children. The building has been extended to accommodate the increased number for which the kindergarten is licensed.
Since the previous ERO review, there have been changes to the teaching team and the association's senior teacher. All teachers are qualified and certificated. One teacher is studying towards a Post Graduate Diploma in specialist teaching, endorsed in early intervention.
The board and managers provide governance for the organisation. Senior teachers have delegated kindergartens. Their role is to provide regular support and a range of professional learning and development opportunities for teachers.
In 2012, the Wellington association developed a framework to guide the implementation of its curriculum, Te Manawa. This document outlines criteria for curriculum delivery including expectations for assessment and planning for children’s learning. Its introduction within the exRimutaka Kindergartens occurred during 2015, with kindergartens adapting it to respond to their community. Martinborough Kindergarten teachers are refining practices to increasingly use this document to guide teaching and learning.
The previous ERO report for Martinborough Kindergarten, identified that embedding understanding and use of self review and further developing assessment, planning and evaluation processes were required. Positive progress in responding to these areas has occurred.
This review was part of a cluster of 10 reviews in the He Whānau Manaaki o Tararua kindergartens.
The kindergarten's philosophy has strong emphasis on ensuring that teaching practice and the environment reflect the principles of Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum. The programme, environment and resources provide children with a varied range of activities and learning opportunities. The outdoor area has been developed to support an increased choice of challenging learning experiences. Literacy and mathematical learning feature meaningfully within a variety of experiences throughout the curriculum.
Children show engagement in their learning and have fun. They demonstrate independence, confidence and cooperative skills. Teachers have positive and responsive relationships with children and encourage peer interactions.
Staff ensure that teaching practice and the environment are supportive and inclusive. They share values that encourage respectful behaviour and support children's developing social competencies. Teachers successfully consider ways to further enhance aspects of the programme and environment to better meet the needs of the younger children attending the kindergarten.
Assessment is increasingly responsive to children's immediate and emerging strengths, interests and skills. Teachers’ observations of learning are reflected in portfolios and a variety of visual displays within the kindergarten. Further evaluation of the impact of intentional teaching strategies and curriculum decisions, should help to determine next development steps and enhance outcomes for children.
Parents are welcomed and acknowledged as their child’s first teacher. Staff provide encouragement and opportunities for parents to contribute to their child’s learning. Teachers are currently focusing on seeking ways to invite families to share the aspirations they have for their child.
Children experience a range of opportunities to learn about Aotearoa/New Zealand’s dual cultural heritage. Teachers continue to explore ways of enhancing culturally responsive practices for Māori learners.
Transition to school focuses on children feeling well supported and confident in a new situation. Kindergarten teachers support families with information and discussion. Positive relationships have been developed with the adjacent school.
Staff are well-supported, by an experienced head teacher, to use their expertise and develop leadership skills further. Internal evaluation is valued and teachers take time to critically reflect on their practice. Appropriate use is made of current best practice to support developing evaluation processes.
The senior teacher provides termly written feedback that outlines agreed development priorities and progress in relation to the quality of teaching and learning. She completes an annual internal evaluation that supports strengthening of these termly reports. There is a deliberate focus on outcomes for children and teacher/leader performance.
Managers undertook an internal review of the appraisal system. The revised model is being implemented across the kindergartens. The process includes focused goals that build teacher and leader capability and clearer links with the Practising Teacher Criteria.
The senior teacher, head teacher, staff and ERO agree on the following key next steps for Martinborough Kindergarten:
strengthen evaluation practices and teacher inquiry, by deepening the analysis of evidence gathered to guide future teaching and learning.
Before the review, the staff and management of Martinborough 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:
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.
The next ERO review of Martinborough Kindergarten will be in three years.
Joyce Gebbie
Deputy Chief Review Officer Central
17 January 2017
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 |
Martinborough |
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Ministry of Education profile number |
55438 |
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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 |
40 children, aged over 2 |
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Service roll |
49 |
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Gender composition |
Girls 29, Boys 20 |
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Ethnic composition |
Māori Pākehā Samoan Other ethnic groups |
5 37 3 4 |
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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 |
Over 2 |
1:10 |
Meets minimum requirements |
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Review team on site |
October 2016 |
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Date of this report |
17 January 2017 |
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Most recent ERO report(s)
|
Education Review |
August 2013 |
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|
Education Review |
April 2010 |
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Education Review |
February 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:
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.
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.
Martinborough Kindergarten is located in the township of Martinborough on the grounds of the local primary school.
The kindergarten is licensed for 30 children over two years of age and operates five days a week. Eleven children are Māori.
Since the April 2010 ERO report, there have been developments to the kindergarten. These include renovations to connect the indoor and outdoor spaces, and the increase in the provision of information and communication technologies (ICT) equipment. These developments are still in progress. The kindergarten is a healthy heart award recipient.
The kindergarten’s philosophy is symbolised in the design of five koru, which represent the importance of culture, relationships, information technology, the environment and children’s independence.
All teachers are qualified. The Rimutaka Kindergarten Association (the association) effectively governs the kindergarten, and provides senior teacher support for the kindergarten. They are committed to maintaining the ratio of 100% of teachers qualified. Well-developed policy guidelines clearly outline association expectations for developing the programme and managing day to-day operations.
This review was part of a cluster of eleven kindergarten reviews in the Rimutaka Kindergarten Association.
Children experience relationships that are affirming, and responsive. Teachers know children well and foster their sense of belonging. Parents and whānau are warmly welcomed. Support for children with additional needs is very inclusive.
Children have opportunities to take on leadership roles in the kindergarten. ERO observed older or more experienced children helping others. Many children are involved in play for extended periods, making choices and following their interests. Teachers encourage their independence and self help skills. Children and teachers enjoy each other’s company.
Teachers are skilled at supporting children to settle in. Transition to the kindergarten is flexible and responsive to the needs and preferences of children and families. Positive, reciprocal relationships with the school help to support children and families with the move to school.
There are many ways for children to learn about the natural world and sustainable practices in the well-resourced environment. They actively contribute in caring for their environment. Other features include the focus on literacy and numeracy resources, children’s participation in imaginative and creative play, and the use of ICT as a learning tool.
Teachers work well together, share ideas and support each other. They value each other’s strengths.
Senior teachers provide well-targeted, ongoing support and guidance for teachers. They promote regular professional development opportunities, and useful systems that are focused on positive outcomes for children. A planned development of the performance appraisal processes has the potential to better promote teacher practices.
The environment reflects the dual heritage of Aotearoa/New Zealand in many ways. Children have some opportunities to hear te reo Māori in the programme. Teachers, with the association support, are beginning to make good use of self review to build on and extend their practice in giving significance to Māori learners’ culture, language, and identity. ERO affirms this development.
Teachers are focused on improving the quality of teaching and learning. The next steps to continue strengthening are:
Before the review, the staff and management of Martinborough 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:
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.
The next ERO review of Martinborough Kindergarten will be in three years.
Joyce Gebbie
National Manager Review Services Central Region (Acting)
7 August 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 |
Martinborough |
||
|
Ministry of Education profile number |
55438 |
||
|
Licence type |
Free Kindergarten |
||
|
Licensed under |
Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008 |
||
|
Number licensed for |
30 children aged over 2 |
||
|
Service roll |
44 |
||
|
Gender composition |
Girls 26, Boys 18 |
||
|
Ethnic composition |
Māori NZ European/Pākehā Other European |
11 29 4 |
|
|
Percentage of qualified teachers 0-49% 50-79% 80% Based on funding rates |
80% |
||
|
Reported ratios of staff to children |
Under 2 |
N/A |
Choose an item. |
|
Over 2 |
1:10 |
Meets minimum requirements |
|
|
Review team on site |
June 2013 |
||
|
Date of this report |
7 August 2013 |
||
|
Most recent ERO report(s)
|
Education Review |
April 2010 |
|
|
Education Review |
February 2007 |
||
|
Accountability Review |
September 2002 |
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.