7 Ngatai Road, Otumoetai, Tauranga
View on mapERO’s Akanuku | Assurance Review reports provide information about whether a service meets and maintains regulatory standards. Further information about Akanuku | Assurance Reviews is included at the end of this report.
Regulatory standards | ERO’s judgement |
| Curriculum | Meeting |
| Premises and facilities | Meeting |
| Health and safety | Meeting |
| Governance, management and administration | Meeting |
Since the onsite visit, the service has provided ERO with evidence that shows it has addressed non-compliances and is now taking reasonable steps to meet regulatory standards.
Natures Cove 2021 Ltd is privately owned and governed. There are three areas for different age groups of children from infants to school age. The service’s philosophy is based on connections within the community, and children participate regularly in excursions. Children enrolled at this service are ethnically diverse. A small number have Māori whakapapa.
The curriculum is language rich and supports children to develop social competence. Children’s preferences are respected, and they are involved in decisions about their learning. A range of experiences and opportunities extend their learning and development. Adults providing education and care engage in meaningful and positive interactions to nurture reciprocal relationships.
The curriculum is informed by assessment and planning processes. Positive steps are taken to acknowledge aspirations held by parents. Regular opportunities are provided for parents to be involved in decision-making about their child’s learning.
An annual plan, budget and philosophy statement guide the service’s operations.
Next steps include:
The service provided ERO with evidence that shows it has addressed the following non-compliances:
The next ERO review is likely to be an Akarangi | Quality Evaluation.
Patricia Davey
Director of Early Childhood Education (ECE)
21 December 2023
| Early Childhood Service Name | Nature’s Cove 2021 Ltd |
| Profile Number | 40100 |
| Location | Otumoetai, Tauranga |
| Service type | Education and care service |
| Number licensed for | 42 children, including up to 17 aged under 2 |
| Percentage of qualified teachers | 80-99% |
| Service roll | 53 |
| Review team on site | November 2023 |
| Date of this report | 21 December 2023 |
| Most recent ERO report(s) | Akanuku | Assurance Review, September 2022; Education Review, March 2020 |
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.
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:
As part of an Akanuku | Assurance Review ERO assesses whether the regulatory 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:
As part of an Akanuku | Assurance Review ERO also gathers and records evidence through:
ERO’s Akanuku | Assurance Review reports provide information about whether a service meets and maintains regulatory standards. Further information about Akanuku | Assurance Reviews is included at the end of this report.
Regulatory standards | ERO’s judgement |
| Curriculum | Meeting |
| Premises and facilities | Meeting |
| Health and safety | Meeting |
| Governance, management and administration | Meeting |
At the time of the review, ERO found the service was taking reasonable steps to meet regulatory standards.
Natures Cove 2021 Ltd is privately owned and governed. It caters for children from infants up to school age in three aged-based areas. A small number of enrolled children identify as Māori. This is the service’s first ERO review since a change of ownership in May 2021.
Infants, toddlers, and young children experience meaningful and positive interactions with adults providing education and care. They are involved in decisions about their learning. The curriculum is language-rich, inclusive, and responsive to children as competent learners. A range of opportunities and experiences are provided both indoors and outdoors to extend and enhance children’s learning and development.
Parent aspirations are acknowledged and there are regular opportunities for them to communicate about their child’s learning. Information and guidance is sought from agencies and services to enable teachers to work effectively with children and their parents.
A philosophy statement, annual plan, and budget guide centre operations.
Next steps include:
The next ERO review is likely to be an Akarangi | Quality Evaluation.
Phil Cowie
Director Review and Improvement Services (Central)
Central Region | Te Tai Pūtahi Nui
29 September 2022
| Early Childhood Service Name | Nature’s Cove 2021 Ltd |
| Profile Number | 40100 |
| Location | Otumoetai, Tauranga |
| Service type | Education and care service |
| Number licensed for | 42 children, including up to 17 aged under 2 |
| Percentage of qualified teachers | 80-99% |
| Service roll | 43 |
| Review team on site | August 2022 |
| Date of this report | 29 September 2022 |
| Most recent ERO report(s) | Education Review, March 2020; Education Review, December 2016 |
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.
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:
As part of an Akanuku | Assurance Review ERO assesses whether the regulatory 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:
As part of an Akanuku | Assurance Review ERO also gathers and records evidence through:
| Not well placed | Requires further development | Well placed | Very well placed |
Natures Cove Early Learning Centre is well placed to promote positive learning outcomes for children.
ERO's findings that support this overall judgement are summarised below.
Natures Cove Early Learning Centre is a privately-owned centre located in Otumoetai, a suburb of Tauranga. It is licensed to provide education and care for 42 children from three months to school age including 17 children up to the age of two years. The current roll of 43 children includes four who identify as Māori. Three learning spaces provide for the needs of infants, toddlers and young children.
The service is one of two in Tauranga under the same ownership. An experienced teacher from within the centre was appointed centre manager in 2019. She is responsible for the day-to-day management of the centre. A mentoring position has recently been developed to support teacher practice in both Tauranga centres. There have been a number of staff changes since the last ERO review in 2016.
The centre’s kaupapa prioritises kindness, commitment and love in a 'team environment.' Children explore through authentic experiences in a natural environment where relationships with Papatuanuku are valued. The aim is to develop lifelong learners.
The centre responded positively to the recommendations in the 2016 ERO report.
Children experience an environment that supports a strong sense of belonging and wellbeing. Respectful relationships amongst children and adults support learning and care in a purposeful learning environment. Inclusive practices ensure children with additional needs and catered for. The teaching team work collaboratively with parents and support services to ensure these children have every opportunity to experience success.
Children are encouraged to follow their interests and revisit their learning. Teachers value children’s ideas and build on these to create effective learning opportunities. Oral language development is well supported through extended conversation and the use of effective questioning strategies for all age groups.
Positive sensitive and responsive interactions enable children under two to develop a sense of belonging. Teachers maintained a calm slow pace where younger children have time and space to lead their learning. Teachers utilised the learning opportunities within the daily routines.
Children experience a range of rich and varied learning opportunities. These include multiple opportunities to explore science, literacy and numeracy concepts. There is a focus on the outdoors, using a range of natural resources and maximising the use of flexible learning spaces. The use of the local environment to extend learning opportunities is a valued part of the programme.
Bicultural practices are increasingly being authentically integrated into the three learning areas. Leaders and teachers are incorporating local myths and legends and beginning to explore stories specifically related to the local area. Further development in bicultural practice has been identified and prioritised by the centre.
Transitions into, through and onto school are thoughtfully planned, flexible and responsive to each child's needs.
Individualised planning builds on children’s interests and ideas. Each child's learning journeys is captured in portfolios, both in hard copy and online and in accessible displays and project books in the centre. Teachers continues to refine their assessment methods to ensure consistency of practice. Leaders and teachers should consider how they can further evaluate how well the curriculum is achieving the expected outcomes for children.
Leaders are committed to effective teaching and learning that contributes to positive outcomes for children. The clear vision is supported by the collaboratively developed philosophy, strategic and annual planning. Collegial relationships based on trust and a supportive team culture enhance the opportunities for children to learn. Professional learning and development is actively supported to enable teachers to grow their capability. Ongoing evaluation of teaching and learning practices result in positive change that supports the learning of all children.
The key next steps for leaders and teachers are to continue to:
Before the review, the staff and management of Natures Cove Early Learning Centre 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 relating to Premises and Facilities.
All indoor and outdoor items and surfaces, furniture and equipment and materials are safe and suitable for their intended use.
[Licensing Criteria for Early Childhood Education and Care Centres 2008, PF5]
The centre rectified the identified compliance matters whilst ERO was onsite.
Phil Cowie
Acting Director Review and Improvement Services (Central)
Central Region - Te Tai Pūtahi Nui
27 March 2020
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 | Otumoetai, Tauranga | ||
| Ministry of Education profile number | 40100 | ||
| Licence type | Education & Care Service | ||
| Licensed under | Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008 | ||
| Number licensed for | 42 children, including up to 17 aged under 2 | ||
| Service roll | 43 | ||
| Gender composition | Male 28 Female 15 | ||
| Ethnic composition | Māori NZ European/Pākehā Other ethnic groups | 4 35 4 | |
Percentage of qualified teachers 0-49% 50-79% 80%+ Based on funding rates | 80% + | ||
| Reported ratios of staff to children | Under 2 | 1:3 | Better than minimum requirements |
| Over 2 | 1:7 | Better than minimum requirements | |
| Review team on site | December 2019 | ||
| Date of this report | 27 March 2020 | ||
Most recent ERO report(s)
| Education Review | December 2016 | |
| Education Review | October 2013 | ||
| Education Review | August 2010 | ||
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 will depend on how well the service promotes 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.