Turangi Kindy

ERO Early Childhood Service Akanuku | Assurance Review

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.

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

Turangi Kindy is a privately owned service. At the time of the review the majority of children identify as Māori and a small number are of Pacific heritage. The service has had significant staff changes since the previous review. Non compliances identified in the December 2021 ERO report remain.

Summary of Review Findings

Children’s learning is enhanced by adults providing education and care engaging in meaningful, positive interactions. Adults support children’s developing social competence and understanding of appropriate behaviour. Children experience a curriculum that acknowledges and reflects the dual cultural heritage of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Assessment, planning and evaluation demonstrates an understanding of children’s learning, their interests and home life contexts. Information and guidance is sought, when necessary, from agencies to enable adults providing education and care to work effectively with children and their parents. Opportunities are provided for parents to be involved in decision making concerning their child’s learning.

Actions for Compliance

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

• relevant emergency drills being carried out on an at least three-monthly basis

• when children leave the premises on an excursion, sufficient assessment and management of risk being undertaken

• suitable human resources practices being implemented, including job/role descriptions and a system of regular appraisal.

[Licensing Criteria for Early Childhood Education and Care Centres 2008, HS8, HS17, GMA7]

Since the onsite visit, the service has provided ERO with evidence that shows it has addressed the following non-compliances:

• furniture and items intended for children to sleep on are securely covered or made of a non-porous material (PF30).

Recommendation to Ministry of Education

ERO recommends that the Ministry reassess the licence issued to this service provider. 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.

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

29 March 2023 

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 Akanuku | 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 Akanuku | 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 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:

• 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 certification; ratios)

• relevant evacuation procedures and practices.

As part of an Akanuku | 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.