Tiny Voices Wellington

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

Tiny Voices Wellington is one of four early childhood centres under common private ownership. The owner has oversight of operation and practice. A manager takes responsibility for day-to-day operation, supported by three team leaders. There are separate learning spaces for different age groups of children. The centre serves a multicultural community. A small number of children attending are Māori.    

Summary of Review Findings

The curriculum provides children with a variety of opportunities to support their development. A sufficient range of equipment and materials is provided, appropriate for the learning and abilities of those attending. Teachers respect children’s preferences and involve them in decisions about their participation. Teaching and learning are informed by assessment and planning processes that align with the principles of Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum. Strategies are in place to support parental involvement in children’s learning.

 A policy framework and annual plan guide centre operation. Teacher appraisal and support, and review and internal evaluation, are established processes. Health and safety practices are well monitored.

Key Next Steps

Next steps include:

• continuing to encourage parents to have input into their children’s learning plans

• provide consistent and meaningful opportunities for children to hear te reo Māori and experience te ao Māori

• more strongly reflect children’s cultures, languages and identities in their assessment documentation.

Actions for Compliance

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

• information is provided to parents about the amount and details of the expenditure of any Ministry of Education funding received by the service [GMA3].

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

21 November 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.