Bright Beginnings Early Learning Centre - Howick

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

This is one of four services governed by Nikiraj Educare Limited. The area manager and centre manager provide support to a teaching team of nine qualified teachers and nine additional staff, including a cook and an administrator. Small numbers of children of Māori or Pacific heritage are enrolled. 

Summary of Review Findings

Children experience a curriculum that is consistent with Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum. They have an opportunity to develop knowledge and an understanding of the cultural heritages of both parties to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Children are supported to be confident in their own culture and access a language-rich environment that supports their learning. 

Parents have regular opportunities to communicate with teachers, share specific evidence of their child’s learning, and be involved in decision making about their child. 

Key Next Steps 

Next steps include:

• further enabling and extending opportunities for children to lead their own learning   
• supporting children’s sustained exploration through an increased range of learning opportunities both indoors and outdoors. 

Actions for Compliance 

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

• Completing all documentation required for excursions, including assessment and management of risk. 
• Ensuring written parental permission for any child’s travel by motor vehicle while in the care of the service. 

Licensing Criteria for Early Childhood Education and Care Services 2008; HS17, HS18.

Next ERO Review 

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

Patricia Davey
Director of Early Childhood Education (ECE)

15 February 2024 

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.