Moko Club

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

Moko Club is one of two services operating under the governance of Kowhai Consulting Ltd. The 2020 ERO report identified areas of non-compliance relating to Health and Safety, and Governance, Management and Administration. There have been significant staff changes since the previous review.

Summary of Review Findings

The service is not meeting regulatory standards in several areas. The services curriculum is not consistent with Te Whāriki. Consistent implementation of health and safety practices is required to meet all aspects of regulatory compliance. Effective governance and management practices across the service’s operation have not yet been established.

Children experience meaningful and positive interactions with teachers. Teachers support children’s developing social competence and understanding of appropriate behaviour. Children make decisions about their learning and their choices are respected.

Actions for Compliance

ERO found areas of non-compliance in the service relating to curriculum, health and safety, and governance, management and administration.

To meet the Curriculum Standard the service must ensure:

• children are encouraged to be confident in their own culture and develop an understanding, and respect for, other cultures
• provision of experiences and opportunities are available to enhance and extend children’s learning and development consistent with Te Whāriki
• parents have formal and informal opportunities to communicate, share and be involved in decision-making concerning their child’s learning
• information and guidance from external agencies enable staff to effectively support children with additional needs.

[Licensing Criteria for Early Childhood Education and Care Centres 2008, C1, C6, C9, C12, C13]

To meet the Health and Safety Standard the service must ensure:

• a clear procedure is developed and implemented to ensure premises furniture, furnishings, fittings, equipment, and materials are kept safe, hygienic and in good condition
• six-monthly fire drills are implemented, and evaluations sent to the New Zealand Fire Service 
• there is evidence of an annual review of the evacuation plan and implementation of improved practices as required
• staff are familiar with, carry out and evaluate relevant emergency drills with children on an at least three-monthly basis
• recording parental acknowledgement that medicine has been administered for category (ii) medication
• a record of training for the administering of medications is developed and maintained
• all practicable steps taken to protect children from exposure to inappropriate material.

[Licensing Criteria for Early Childhood Education and Care Centres 2008, HS1, HS4, HS7, HS8, HS28, HS29, HS32]

To meet the Governance, Management and Administration Standard the service must ensure:

• parents of children attending the service are provided with opportunities to contribute to the development and review of the service’s operational documents
• ongoing process for self review to improve quality of education and care
• ensuring the system of regular appraisal is consistently implemented
•  development of an annual plan to guide centre operations.

[Licensing Criteria for Early Childhood Education and Care Centres 2008, GMA4, GMA6, GMA7, GMA8]

In addition, the service must:

• ensure the service is effectively governed and is managed in accordance with good management practices.

[Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008, 47 (1) (a)]

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

• assessment, planning and evaluation demonstrates an understanding of children’s learning and informs the curriculum [C2]
• the practice of adults providing education and care demonstrates and understanding of children’s learning and development, and knowledge of relevant theories and practice in early childhood education [C4]
• there is a current annual building Warrant of Fitness [PF3]
• sufficient space for the safe storage of, and ease of access, to equipment and materials by adults and children [PF8]
• there are suitable facilities provided for washing sick or soiled children and a procedure outlining how hygiene and infection control outcomes will be met [PF26]
• provision and maintenance of a compliant first aid kit [PF28]
• the prominent display of a current procedure people should follow if they wish to complain about non-compliance with the Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008 or criteria [GMA1]
• every child worker is safety checked every three years [GMA7A]
• records of safety checks must be recorded and the records kept [GMA7A]

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 Region | Te Tai Pūtahi Nui

11 May 2021 

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 regulated 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; police vetting; teacher certification; ratios)
• evacuation procedures and practices for fire and earthquake.

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.