Miro Street, Mount Maunganui
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.
Mount Maunganui Playcentre is located on Tauranga City Council land. It is a parent-led education and care service licensed to cater for 29 children including 16 up to the age of two years. The current roll of 66 includes 12 Māori and a small number of children from other nationalities.
The centre provides five mixed-age, morning sessions each week, including a bilingual te reo Māori session. There is an extension session for older children on one afternoon each week where older children may attend without their parents. The Supporting Parents Alongside Children’s Education (SPACE) initiative provides three sessions each week to support mothers and babies up to one year old.
During 2018 playcentres are transitioning from operating as The New Zealand Playcentre Federation (NZPF) with 32 regional associations to a national organisation with six offices. In the central North Island eight associations have merged into a regional hub renamed Playcentre Aotearoa Central North Island. This region includes 95 playcentres spread over a large geographic area. During the transition there is some overlap between association systems and new national approaches. At the time of this ERO review there was some uncertainty as new processes are established.
The governance management structure consists of a regional manager and a centre support coordinator who provides guidance and management for the playcentres. A centre administrator was appointed in early 2018. Responsibility for centre leadership is shared across centre members. A national professional learning and development team is in the early stages of planning for additional learning support to build members’ capability as first teachers of their children. A high proportion of members is in training, and a number hold higher levels of playcentre qualifications.
There are two qualified playcentre members employed to support supervised sessions and the extended session. The centre management team (CMT) contributes to succession planning and the smooth running of centre operations.
The centre aims to promote a service where adults and children can learn with and alongside each other in a family-whānau setting. Members value Te Tiriti o Waitangi as the founding document of Aotearoa and provide opportunities for sharing tikanga and te reo Māori together. Members see playcentre as an extension of home and maintain the paramount place of parents and whānau in making decisions about their children’s education and care.
The centre has a positive ERO reporting history. There has been good progress made with areas for development identified in the 2015 ERO report. These related to documenting self review and strengthening members’ understanding of ways to document children’s learning.
This review was part of a cluster of six playcentres in the Western Bay of Plenty under the governance of Playcentre Aotearoa Central North Island.
The centre management team provides strong and effective leadership that supports ongoing sustainability. The team provides clear strategic direction and builds members' capability to maintain a well-respected education and care service in the community. There are members with a long association with the centre who make a significant contribution to positive educational outcomes for children and their families. Members have a good understanding of internal evaluation. They have implemented effective systems that contribute to ongoing centre improvement.
The curriculum is well designed to support children to make choices, pursue their interests and build their understanding of the world around them. It maximises the potential of the local environment through planned trips and excursions. Adults share their knowledge, skills and aspirations to enrich learning outcomes for children. They support children to build their understanding of early literacy, mathematics and science concepts. Members are in the early stages of becoming familiar with the revised Te Whāriki 2017 early childhood curriculum.
Children demonstrate high levels of belonging and wellbeing as they learn and play alongside trusted adults. There is well-informed leadership and commitment to implementing a bicultural curriculum and integrating te ao Māori into the life of the centre. This includes affirmation and support for Māori members. A particular feature is the weekly te reo Māori session for children and families. These initiatives are promoting success for Māori as Māori.
Children up to two years of age experience nurturing and responsive care as they learn alongside their parents. Children with additional needs benefit from a collective approach to inclusive learning and care at the centre. Leaders access appropriate specialist support where necessary.
Members consistently model positive, reciprocal and responsive relationships amongst themselves and children. Particular strengths of their interactions with children include:
Through these positive interactions children are building their confidence as capable, self-managing learners.
Playcentre Aotearoa Central North Island is in the early stages of providing support for centres during a time of transition. Existing polices and systems are supporting centre operations until new systems developed by Playcentre Aotearoa are implemented. The strategic and annual plans are yet to consistently guide regional and centre direction. A particular strength is the Te Whare Tikanga Māori initiative, which promotes self-determination for Māori members through regular hui and targeted funding, and enacts the partnership aspect of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
ERO has identified the need for Playcentre Aotearoa Central North Island management to develop:
Before the review, the staff and management of Mount Maunganui 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:
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.
ERO identified an area of non-compliance related to appraisal.
The current appraisal process does not meet Ministry of Education regulatory requirements. Governance needs to ensure suitable human resource management practices are developed, documented and implemented.
[Licensing Criteria for Early Childhood Education and Care Centres 2008, GMA7.]
The next ERO review of Mount Maunganui Playcentre will be in three years.
Lynda Pura-Watson
Deputy Chief Review Officer
Te Tai Miringa - Waikato / Bay of Plenty Region
6 July 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.
|
Location |
Tauranga City |
|
|
Ministry of Education profile number |
40002 |
|
|
Licence type |
Playcentre |
|
|
Licensed under |
Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008 |
|
|
Number licensed for |
29 children, including up to 16 aged under 2 |
|
|
Service roll |
66 |
|
|
Gender composition |
Girls 42 Boys 24 |
|
|
Ethnic composition |
Māori |
12 |
|
Review team on site |
May 2018 |
|
|
Date of this report |
6 July 2018 |
|
|
Most recent ERO report(s) |
Education Review |
April 2015 |
|
Education Review |
February 2012 |
|
|
Education Review |
February 2009 |
|
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.
Mount Maunganui Playcentre is a parent-led education and care service located on Tauranga City Council land, adjacent to a large multi-sport facility in Mount Maunganui. It caters for children from birth to school age from the local community. The centre operates five morning sessions each week and is licensed for 29 children, including 16 aged up to two years. There are 97 children on the roll, including 22 who identify as Māori, and a small number from other diverse ethnic backgrounds. Due to planned redevelopment of the council land, the centre is exploring options for relocation.
The centre is well established in the local community and many parent members have a long-term association with the service which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2014. Since the last ERO review in 2012, there is greater awareness and visibility of aspects of te reo and tikanga Māori. In addition, a comprehensive review of provision for children up to the age of two has resulted in high quality facilities for these young children. Leaders and parents are focused on addressing the area for improvement signalled in the last ERO report about self review and good progress has been made.
The playcentre operates under the umbrella of the Western Bay of Plenty Playcentre Association (WBOPPA). Parents benefit from the support and guidance of a centre liaison officer and a centre administration officer, provided by the association. WBOPPA also provides useful documentation and frameworks to guide centre operations. These guidelines are underpinned by the association’s philosophy that is highly evident in practice.
This review was part of a cluster of five reviews in the Western Bay of Plenty Playcentre Association.
Parents are well supported by the association and are providing high quality education and care for children. The programme is planned in response to children’s interests and strengths. Children and parents collaboratively set up a wide range of learning activities for each session. Parents skilfully notice opportunities to become involved with play and support children to extend their ideas and build their capabilities.
Interactions amongst parents and children are respectful and supportive. Children confidently approach adults, instigating conversations and making choices about their learning and play activities. There are many examples of intentional teaching in response to children’s exploration and investigations. Parents use effective questioning skills to extend children’s thinking, develop working theories and solve problems.
The centre is well resourced and children have easy access to equipment for play and exploration. There are multiple opportunities for children to engage in creative and imaginary play alongside their parents. The outdoor environment allows children to practice and develop their physical skills and take risks in closely monitored and challenging situations. A feature of the curriculum is the way parents promote literacy and mathematical learning opportunities for children. Te reo Māori is heard and visible in the centre.
Observations of children’s learning and development are recorded by parents in attractive individual portfolios. Guidelines are in place to help parents notice when important learning is taking place. These documents include celebrations of children’s learning, examples of their creativity, and acknowledgement of progress and development over time.
Centre leaders are experienced and knowledgeable about playcentre education and care. They bring a range of highly relevant educational skills and life experiences to their playcentre roles. Leaders are strong advocates for playcentre in the wider community and welcoming of new members to the service. There are many opportunities for members to develop leadership skills in daily sessions, across the centre and at the WBOPPA level.
Leaders are well supported by, and have close links with WBOPPA. Centre leaders have established detailed and well-organised documentation to support procedures, systems and the enactment of the playcentre philosophy. A well-developed approach to long-term planning and consultation with parents are helping to guide ongoing development and improvement. Leaders encourage parents to reflect on children’s learning activities at the end of each session, during regular meetings, and at the end of each term. This reflection is contributing to ongoing improvements of the quality of education and care.
ERO, centre leaders and the WBOPPA agree that useful next steps for the centre are:
Before the review, the staff and management of Mount Maunganui 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:
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.
ERO identified an area of non compliance:
When is ERO likely to review the service again?
The next ERO review of Mount Maunganui Playcentre will be in three years.
Dale Bailey
Deputy Chief Review Officer Northern
29 April 2015
|
Location |
Mount Maunganui |
|
|
Ministry of Education profile number |
40002 |
|
|
Licence type |
Playcentre |
|
|
Licensed under |
Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008 |
|
|
Number licensed for |
29 children, including up to 16 aged under 2 |
|
|
Service roll |
97 |
|
|
Gender composition |
Boys 51 Girls 46 |
|
|
Ethnic composition |
Māori Pākehā Other |
22 70 5 |
|
Review team on site |
February 2015 |
|
|
Date of this report |
29 April 2015 |
|
|
Most recent ERO report(s) |
Education Review |
February 2012 |
|
Education Review |
February 2009 |
|
|
Education Review |
August 2005 |
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.