Buckle My Shoe Early Learning Centre

1 ERO’s Judgements

Akarangi | Quality Evaluation evaluates the extent to which this early childhood service has the learning and organisational conditions to support equitable and excellent outcomes for all learners. Te Ara Poutama Indicators of quality for early childhood education: what matters most are the basis for making judgements about the effectiveness of the service in achieving equity and excellence for all learners. Judgements are made in relation to the Outcomes Indicators, Learning and Organisational Conditions. The Evaluation Judgement Rubric derived from the indicators, is used to inform ERO’s judgements about this service’s performance in promoting equity and excellence.

ERO’s judgements for Buckle My Shoe Early Learning Centre are as follows:

2 Context of the Service

Buckle My Shoe Early Learning Centre is privately owned. The service philosophy reflects the uniqueness of the child within a play-based, mixed-age setting where teachers prepare children for lifelong learning. Approximately a third of children enrolled in the service are Māori and a small number are of Pacific heritage.

3 Summary of findings

Children lead their own learning. Teachers successfully use a range of intentional strategies that enable children to express and explore their theories about how the world works, and to problem solve. A primary caregiving approach supports the social and emotional development of children through sustained one-on-one interactions with teachers. Transitions into the service support and cater to each child, parent and whānau. Children demonstrate a strong sense of belonging.

Teachers respond to children’s cultures, languages and identities in meaningful ways. Te reo Māori is integrated in day-to-day teaching practice. Aspects of tikanga Māori are evident in the learning environment. Cultural contexts of children are beginning to be reflected in assessments. There is some evidence about the developing capabilities of children in relation to the learning outcomes in Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum. Children experience a curriculum that reflects their whānau context.

Evaluation processes positively impact on the service’s vision, goals and priorities for children. Relational trust at all levels is established to facilitate staff collaboration and ongoing understanding of the way children learn. Professional growth cycles are enhanced through ongoing feedback, mentoring and coaching. Although evaluation promotes improved curriculum, the process is yet to monitor the impact of this improvement on individuals or groups of children.

Governance supports equitable experiences for children with additional needs. The centre leader collaborates with relevant external agencies to support children. Children are empowered to participate within the curriculum.

4 Improvement actions

Buckle My Shoe Early Learning Centre will include the following actions in its Quality Improvement Planning:

• Develop a shared understanding of learning outcomes in Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum, and how they align to the service’s learning priorities.

• Strengthen the identification and evaluation of children’s progress in learning over time, using the outcomes of Te Whāriki.

• Continue to strengthen assessment practices to reflect and build on each child’s cultural identity over time.

5 Management Assurance on Legal Requirements

Before the review, the staff and management of Buckle My Shoe Early Learning Centre completed an ERO 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; safety checking; teacher registration; ratios)
• relevant evacuation procedures and practices.

All early childhood services are required to promote children's health and safety and to regularly review their compliance with legal requirements.

Phil Cowie
Director Review and Improvement Services (Central)
Central Region | Te Tai Pūtahi Nui

6 December 2022

6 About the Early Childhood Service