Seven Oaks Preschool

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

Seven Oaks Preschool is a privately owned early childhood service. It operates as part of the Seven Oaks Primary School community. A large proportion of children move on from the centre to attend the school. A small number of Māori children attend this service. Teaching, learning, and day-to-day operation is the responsibility of the manager. The centre gained its full licence in July 2021. This is its first ERO review.

Summary of Review Findings

The curriculum is inclusive and responsive to children as confident and competent learners. Adults' interactions with children are meaningful and positive. They respect children’s preferences and involve them in decisions about their participation and learning experiences. A sufficient range of equipment and materials is provided, appropriate for the learning and abilities of the children attending. Implementation of a variety of learning experiences is supported indoors and outside.

Centre operation is guided by a suitable policy framework. Internal evaluation and long-term planning need further development. Aspects of health and safety practice require improved monitoring.

Actions for Compliance

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

• an unsecured cot that could move and cause injury in the event of an earthquake [HS6]

• a record of training provided to adults who administer medication to children, other than their own, while at the service [HS29]

• an annual plan identifying ‘who, ‘what, and ‘when’ in relation to key tasks the service intends to undertake each year [GMA8]

• an annual budget that guides expenditure [GMA9]. 

Licensing Criteria for Early Childhood Education and Care Services 2008.

Next ERO Review

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

Dr Lesley Patterson
Director Review and Improvement Services (Southern)
Southern Region | Te Tai Tini

4 October 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.