Pt Chevalier Kindergarten

ERO’s Judgement

At the time of the review, ERO found the service was taking reasonable steps to meet regulatory standards.

Background

Pt Chevalier Kindergarten is part of the Auckland Kindergarten Association (AKA). It moved to new, purpose-built premises and re-opened at the beginning of 2017. A whānau group has been established as a way of increasing partnership with the community.

The kindergarten employs four qualified teachers including the head teacher, a learning assistant and an administrator. The head teacher and staff receive ongoing support from AKA personnel.

Summary of Review Findings

Teachers implement programmes that are consistent with Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum. They respond to children’s interests and their parents’ aspirations and engage in positive interactions with children.

Children learn in an environment that supports their wellbeing and education. They have access to appropriate resources and are involved in decisions about their learning experiences. Children have opportunities to gain an understanding of the cultural heritage of both parties to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

The service is guided by its philosophy, and the policies and procedures of the AKA. Internal evaluation, including consultation with parents, guides improvement. Systems are in place to promote children’s health and safety.

Actions for Compliance

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

• an annual plan that guides the service’s operation and identifies ‘who’, ‘what’ and ‘when’ in relation to key tasks undertaken each year.

Licensing Criteria for Early Childhood Education & Care Services 2008, GMA8.

Next ERO Review

The next ERO review is likely to be an Education Review.

Steve Tanner

Director Review and Improvement Services (Northern)

Northern Region | Te Tai Raki

24 January 2020

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 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 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 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 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.