BestStart Coast Boulevard

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 non-compliance with regulatory standards that must be addressed.

Background

BestStart Coast Boulevard is owned and operated by BestStart Educare Ltd. A regionally based professional practice leader has oversight of the centre. The newly appointed manager is responsible for day-to-day operations, including teaching and the learning programme. This is the first ERO review of the service which opened in 2019.

Summary of Review Findings

The premises and facilities are resourced to provide for the learning and abilities of the children attending. Teachers and whānau have recently worked together to review the philosophy supporting teaching and learning. The curriculum enables children to have choices about their participation and learning experiences. Aspects of teaching practice need strengthening to meet regulatory standards. Increased monitoring of some aspects of health and safety is required. Suitable systems support governance and management.

Actions for Compliance

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

• the quality and extent of teachers’ engagement with children to support and enhance their learning.

Licensing Criteria for Early Childhood Education and Care Services 2008, C3.

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

• secured cots which could cause serious injury or damage in the event of an earthquake HS6.

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

2 December 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 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.