Little Discoverers

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

Little Discoverers, previously known as Curious Cubs, changed ownership in December 2022. There have been significant staff changes. The owners lead daily operations and the curriculum. The multicultural roll includes a fifth who are Māori. The centre philosophy prioritises a family-friendly approach to early learning.

Summary of Review Findings

Adults providing education and care engage in meaningful, positive interactions to enhance children’s learning and nurture reciprocal relationships. The curriculum is responsive to children as confident and competent learners. Children’s preferences are respected, and they are involved in decisions about their learning experiences within a language-rich environment. Children’s social competency and understanding of appropriate behaviour are supported. 

The premises provide an appropriate range of experiences for children’s age and stage, both indoors and outdoors, individually and in groups. 

Greater attention is needed from leaders to consistently implement the centre’s policies and procedures to ensure ongoing regulatory compliance. 

Actions for Compliance 

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

• ensuring earthquake drills are practised on at least a three-monthly basis with children 

• ensuring safety checking of children’s workers is undertaken in accordance with the Children’s Act 2014, before the worker has access to children. 

Licensing Criteria for Education and Care Services, 2008, HS8, GMA7A. 

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

• Checking laundry facilities as part of daily checks to equipment, premises and facilities for hazards to children (HS12). 

• Documenting parental approval of adult:child ratios for regular and special excursions (HS17). 

• Obtaining written permission from parents before a child travels in a motor vehicle while in the care of the service (HS18). 

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 is likely to be an Akarangi | Quality Evaluation.

Patricia Davey
Director of Early Childhood Education (ECE)

6 November 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.