About reviews in hospital-based early childhood services
Hospital-based early childhood services provide education and care in a setting that is different from a centre-based service. Hospital-based ECE services provide education and care for children who are receiving hospital care. They work in a health setting and respond to children whose attendance, health needs and length of stay may vary.
ERO reviews hospital-based services to understand how well they support children’s learning, development, wellbeing and safety, meet regulatory requirements, and provide the conditions needed for positive and equitable outcomes. For information about the development of the new review approaches, click here.
ERO uses different review approaches depending on what it needs to understand about the service. An Akarangi | Quality Evaluation has a strong focus on quality and improvement. An Akanuku | Assurance Review has a stronger focus on whether the service is meeting regulatory standards and licensing criteria.
Both approaches sit within Ngā Ara Whai Hua, ERO’s quality framework for evaluation and improvement in early childhood services. The framework brings together external evaluation, internal evaluation, accountability and improvement.
Use this section to find out what to expect before, during and after a review, what information may be requested, and how ERO reaches and reports its findings.
Important update
A new review approach for hospital-based early childhood services is being introduced. Until the new approach takes effect, services should continue to use the existing guidance and processes when working with ERO. We will share further information, resources and timelines as they become available. For more information, see About incoming changes to hospital-based service reviews.