Expressions EEC

ERO’s Judgement

At the time of the review, ERO identified areas of non-compliance with regulatory standards that are an unacceptable risk to children.

Background

Expressions Childcare Limited changed ownership in 2017. The owner/director is responsible for governance and management of the service. She is supported by a head teacher who oversees the curriculum and mentors teachers. Mixed-age grouping for older children, infants and toddlers reflects the centre’s philosophy and commitment to whakawhanaungatanga.

Summary of Review Findings

A philosophy statement guides the service’s operations, expressing the service’s beliefs and values about early childhood education. The curriculum is inclusive and responsive to children as confident and competent learners. Children are supported to be confident in their own culture. The curriculum provides a range of experiences and opportunities to enhance children’s learning and development. Children’s preferences are respected, and they are involved in decisions about their learning. Adults engage in meaningful, positive interactions to nurture reciprocal relationships.

Information and guidance are sought when necessary from agencies/services to enable adults to work effectively with children and their parents.

Actions for Compliance

Since the onsite visit, the service has provided ERO with evidence that shows the curriculum for children under two years of age is becoming informed by assessment, planning and evaluation.

In order to improve current practice, the service provider should ensure that windows or other areas of glass accessible to children are made of safety glass or covered by an adhesive film designed to hold the glass in place.

ERO found areas of non-compliance in the service relating to:

• safety checks, which include police vetting, must be undertaken and results obtained before workers have access to children
• provision of a nappy changing facility to ensure that children’s independence can be fostered as appropriate and children’s dignity and right to privacy is respected
• provision of suitable facilities for washing sick or soiled children, in particular older children.

Licensing Criteria for Early Childhood Education and Care Centres 2008, GMA7A, PF25, PF26.

Recommendation to Ministry of Education

ERO recommends that the Ministry reassess the licence of Expressions Childcare Limited. ERO will not undertake a further review of this service until the Ministry of Education is satisfied that the service meets regulatory standards.

Next ERO Review

The next ERO review will be in consultation with the Ministry of Education.

Steve Tanner

Director Review and Improvement Services (Northern)

Northern Region - Te Tai Raki

13 March 2020

Information About the Service

General Information about Assurance Reviews

All services are licensed under the Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008. The legal requirements for early childhood services also include the Licensing Criteria for Education and Care Services 2008.

Services must meet the standards in the regulations and the requirements of the licensing criteria to gain and maintain a licence to operate.

ERO undertakes an Assurance Review process in any centre-based service:

• having its first ERO review – including if it is part of a governing organisation
• previously identified as ‘not well placed’ or ‘requiring further development’
• that has moved from a provisional to a full licence
• that have been re-licenced due to a change of ownership
• where an Assurance Review process is determined to be appropriate.

Management Assurance on Legal Requirements

All early childhood services are required to promote children’s health and safety and to regularly review their compliance with legal requirements. Before the review, the staff and management of a service 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.

As part of an Assurance Review ERO assesses whether the regulated standards are being met. In particular, ERO looks at a 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 certification; ratios)
• evacuation procedures and practices for fire and earthquake.

As part of an Assurance Review ERO also gathers and records evidence through:

• discussions with those involved in the service
• consideration of relevant documentation, including the implementation of health and safety systems
• observations of the environment/premises, curriculum implementation and teaching practice.