Oma Rapeti Early Learning Centre Kumeu

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

Since the onsite visit, the service has provided ERO with evidence that shows it has addressed non-compliances and is now taking reasonable steps to meet regulatory standards.

Background

Oma Rapeti Early Learning Centre Kumeu is a purpose-built, privately-owned service. It provides education and care for up to 150 children in six age-defined learning spaces. The majority of enrolled children are NZ European/Pākehā, and there are 12 Māori and a few Pacific children. A centre manager and two assistant managers lead the team, with the support of an external mentor. This is the first ERO review of the service.

Summary of Review Findings

Leaders and teachers provide a curriculum that is consistent with Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum. The curriculum is inclusive, and responsive to children as confident and competent learners. Their preferences are respected, and they are involved in decisions about their learning experiences. Adults providing education and care engage in meaningful positive interactions to enhance learning, and nurture reciprocal relationships.

The design and layout of the premises supports the provision of different types of experiences. Children are provided with opportunities to enhance and extend their learning and development, both indoors and outdoors, individually and in groups.

Key Next Steps

Next steps include continuing to:

• refine the centre philosophy and develop a shared understanding of what this looks like in practice

• grow teachers’ knowledge and understanding of relevant theories and practices in early childhood education.

Actions for Compliance

During the review, the service provided ERO with evidence that shows it has addressed the following non-compliances:

• equipment, premises, and facilities are checked on every day of operation for hazards present in the laundry facilities (HS12).

Next ERO Review

The next ERO review is likely to be an Akarangi | Quality Evaluation.

Filivaifale Jason Swann
Director Review and Improvement Services (Northern)
Northern Region | Te Tai Raki

30 August 2022 

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.