851-857 Fergusson Drive, Upper Hutt CBD, Upper Hutt
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Not well placed |
Requires further development |
Well placed |
Very well placed |
ERO's findings that support this overall judgement are summarised below.
Learning Adventures Upper Hutt has changed ownership since the July 2014 ERO report. It now comes under the umbrella of Evolve Education Group.
The service is licensed for 98 children, with a maximum of 24 up to two years old. At the time of this ERO external evaluation there were 94 children enrolled, including 19 Māori.
Four rooms cater for children of different ages. A centre manager oversees the operation of the service and is supported by two team leaders. A recently-appointed centre support manager works alongside the leadership team in several Evolve services to develop and improve teaching and learning.
This review was part of a cluster of five reviews in the Evolve Education Group.
Internal evaluation informs ongoing improvement and change. The strengths of the teaching team are used well to guide development. Teachers are clearly focused on promoting positive learning outcomes for children. The teaching team should continue to build their capabilities to further develop and guide decision making and improvement.
The centre philosophy demonstrates a clear picture of all teachers' shared beliefs and values. It is aligned to the principles of Te Whāriki. Teachers have looked at the principles and related them to what are the desired learning outcomes for children at Learning Adventures Upper Hutt.
There is clear alignment between the philosophy and assessment, planning and evaluation. Teachers talk about and moderate their teaching practice at regular meetings. They have worked positively to gain input from families and whānau about their children's learning.
Children engage in a curriculum where they make choices. They take on leadership roles. Very young children through to the older children demonstrate confidence to play and learn independently and collaboratively. The philosophy is well enacted across the service.
Infants and toddlers demonstrate growing interest in the world around them and they are encouraged to explore the environment. They develop secure relationships with adults and other children. Their learning is visible through a range of ways, including photographs of themselves around the centre and accessible portfolios. They can join in with older children if they want, or remain within their quieter spaces. A strong sense of fun and adventure is evident.
A range of initiatives support Māori children and their whānau. Developing and building trusting relationships is a priority. Teachers make connections with the community in which the centre is situated. They continue to work on their personal learning of developing their understanding and skills in the cultural heritage of Aotearoa/New Zealand. Teachers reflect on their practices to ensure they are appropriate for working alongside Māori whānau.
Children's transitions through the centre are well managed. They can venture across the room boundaries and the younger children gain a sense of what happens across the centre. Teachers notice, recognise and respond to children's learning and support their progress through the centre.
Children's learning is clearly the priority focus for teachers, who reflect critically on their practice. Appraisal goals are clearly linked to positive outcomes for children. There is a good sense of team within the centre. Children benefit from consistency of teaching and expectations across the four rooms.
Children with special learning needs are well supported to experience success. Teachers work alongside parents and external agencies to provide appropriate support for these children. Inclusive practices allow children to develop friendships and engage in challenging experiences.
A recent restructure within Evolve has led to the introduction of new management roles that aim to provide increased support for centre staff. Evolve managers should continue strengthening systems to provide ongoing guidance and support to centre leaders and teachers for continuous improvement of teaching and learning.
Teachers should continue to:
Before the review, the staff and management of Learning Adventures Upper Hutt 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.
The next ERO review of Learning Adventures Upper Hutt will be in three years.
Alan Wynyard
Deputy Chief Review Officer Central (Acting)
Te Tai Pokapū - Central Region
1 February 2018
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.
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Location |
Upper Hutt |
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Ministry of Education profile number |
46057 |
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Licence type |
Education & Care Service |
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Licensed under |
Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008 |
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Number licensed for |
98 children, including up to 24 aged under 2 |
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Service roll |
94 |
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Gender composition |
Boys 49, Girls 45 |
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Ethnic composition |
Māori |
19 |
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Percentage of qualified teachers 0-49% 50-79% 80%+ Based on funding rates |
80% + |
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Reported ratios of staff to children |
Under 2 |
1:5 |
Meets minimum requirements |
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Over 2 |
1:10 |
Meets minimum requirements |
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Review team on site |
November 2017 |
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Date of this report |
1 February 2018 |
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Most recent ERO report(s) |
Education Review |
July 2014 |
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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:
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 and the timing of the next review will depend on how well placed a service is to promote 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.
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Not well placed |
Requires further development |
Well placed |
Very well placed |
A number of areas for development have been outlined to the centre. The centre has provided an action plan that shows how these key next steps will be addressed. With the support of Lollipops Educare Ltd, the centre is well placed to provide positive learning outcomes for children.
ERO's findings that support this overall judgement are summarised below.
Lollipops Educare is a privately owned education and care service operating in Upper Hutt. The centre is licensed for 98 children, including 24 up to the age of two years. Full time care and education is offered in buildings designed to suit the developmental stages of infants, toddlers and young children. This is the centre's first ERO review.
This centre opened in 2013. It has experienced a time of rapid growth which has been well managed by the centre director. Four separate learning spaces are available. Centre leaders liaise with parents about their children’s readiness to transition through the rooms.
There are six qualified educators employed and a number of unqualified relievers. Staff are led by an experienced centre director. The director has overall responsibility for day-to-day operations. Lollipops Educare Ltd provides governance and management support.
The review is part of a cluster of three Wellington early childhood services operated by Lollipops Educare Ltd.
Children learn through a play-based programme for sustained periods of time. Educators work alongside children, following their interests. At times, educators engage children in problem-solving opportunities and extend their thinking.
Children’s language development is supported through the use of rich descriptive language by some staff. Greater consistency in the use of strategies to support and extend children’s learning is a key next step.
Educators work with parents to support children’s additional learning needs. There are established networks that centre leaders draw on to assist in meeting the specific requirements of these children.
Children’s independence and self-help skills are encouraged by staff. Children access a wide range of curriculum experiences. Responsive relationships contribute to children’s sense of belonging. Staff are attuned to infants and toddlers non-verbal cues.
The environment reflects a commitment to te ao Māori. Educator’s use of te reo Māori is in the early stages of development. Staff should continue to develop their bicultural practice and integrate it across curriculum areas.
Centre leaders have identified that ongoing development is required to better respond to both Māori and Pacific children’s cultures, languages and identities. Leaders have given consideration to their next steps and ERO agrees with this direction.
The planned programme is based around children’s interests. Giving greater consideration to the role of the teacher in this process should assist in developing greater consistency of practice. Educators should undertake regular evaluation to inform ongoing programme development.
Assessment documentation builds children’s identity as successful learners. It focuses on enhancing dispositional learning and skills. Continuity of learning experiences assists in highlighting the progress made by the child overtime.
Educators should continue to strengthen this practice by reflecting parent aspirations in a timely way and celebrating cultural diversity. Educators should also give greater consideration to their role in increasing complexity to children’s learning.
A self-review process is in place and contributes to ongoing developments and decisions. A next step is to strengthen educators’ understanding of the self-review process and knowledge of evaluation. This should provide additional information to judge the effectiveness of centre operations and practice and inform future decision making.
Leaders have a shared understanding and commitment to the centre philosophy. A recent review has assisted in highlighting how the philosophy is seen in practice. A key next step is to develop indictors of high quality practice that reflect the stated philosophy. This should assist with developing a shared understanding of teaching practice and expectations.
Lollipops Educare Ltd provides clear expectations for managing centre operations through well‑developed systems and processes. With the recently established position of the regional manager there is an opportunity to strengthen self review and evaluation at governance level. This should further promote the dual purposes of self review: for improvement to teaching and learning, and for accountability.
Centre directors are supported through regular visits by the regional manager who provides feedback and guidance on Lollipops processes and aspects of teaching and learning. These visits have the potential to strengthen the focus on building the capability of centre managers to lead teaching and learning.
Next steps to improve the quality of teaching and learning are to strengthen:
Lollipops Educare Ltd should strengthen:
Before the review, the staff and management of Lollipops Educare Upper Hutt 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.
The next review of Lollipops Upper Hutt will be in three years.
Joyce Gebbie
National Manager Review Services
Central Region
9 July 2014
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 |
Upper Hutt |
||
|
Ministry of Education profile number |
46057 |
||
|
Licence type |
Education & Care Service |
||
|
Licensed under |
Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008 |
||
|
Number licensed for |
98 children, including up to 24 aged under 2 |
||
|
Service roll |
71 |
||
|
Gender composition |
Boys 39, Girls 32 |
||
|
Ethnic composition |
Māori |
7 |
|
|
Percentage of qualified teachers 0-49% 50-79% 80%+ Based on funding rates |
80% + |
||
|
Reported ratios of staff to children |
Under 2 |
1:4 |
Better than minimum requirements |
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Over 2 |
1:8 |
Better than minimum requirements |
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Review team on site |
May 2014 |
||
|
Date of this report |
9 July 2014 |
||
|
Most recent ERO report(s) |
No previous ERO reports. |
|
|
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 and the timing of the next review will depend on how well placed a service is to promote 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.