Marton Junction Community Pre-school

Education institution number:
50529
Service type:
Education and Care Service
Definition:
Not Applicable
Total roll:
19
Telephone:
Address:

Alexander Street, Marton

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Marton Junction Community Pre-school

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

Regulatory standards

ERO’s judgement

Curriculum

Meeting

Premises and facilities

Meeting

Health and safety

Not meeting

Governance, management and administration

Meeting

At the time of the review, ERO identified non-compliance with regulatory standards that must be addressed.

Background

Marton Junction Community Pre-school is located within the grounds of Marton Junction School. It is a community-based service managed and governed by a volunteer committee. Most children enrolled are Māori and a small number are of Pacific heritage. The service has addressed the non-compliances identified in the September 2022 ERO report.

Summary of Review Findings

Children experience positive, respectful relationships with adults. The curriculum provides a language-rich environment that supports learning. It is inclusive and responsive to children as confident, competent learners. Children are given opportunities to develop an understanding of the cultural heritage of both parties to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

A sufficient quantity and variety of resources are provided. There is a range of experiences and opportunities to enhance and extend children’s learning and development, both indoors and outdoors, individually and in groups.

Actions for Compliance

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

  • review of the written emergency plan on at least an annual basis and implementation of improved practices as required.

[Licensing Criteria for Early Childhood Education and Care Services 2008, HS7]

Recommendation to Ministry of Education

ERO recommends the Ministry follows up with the service provider to ensure that non-compliances identified in this report are addressed promptly.

Next ERO Review

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

Patricia Davey
Director of Early Childhood Education (ECE)

8 June 2023

Information About the Service

Early Childhood Service Name Marton Junction Community Pre-school
Profile Number 50529
Location Marton

Service type

Education and care service

Number licensed for

20 children over the age of 2

Percentage of qualified teachers (delete if not applicable)

100%

Service roll

23

Review team on site

April 2023

Date of this report

8 June 2023

Most recent ERO report(s)

 

Akanuku | Assurance Review, September 2022
Akanuku | Assurance Review, October 2020

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.

Marton Junction Community Pre-school

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

Regulatory standards

ERO’s judgement

Curriculum

Meeting

Premises and facilities

Meeting

Health and safety

Meeting

Governance, management and administration

Not meeting

At the time of the review, ERO identified areas of non-compliance with regulatory standards that are an unacceptable risk to children.

Background

Marton Junction Community Pre-school is a community-based service managed and governed by a volunteer committee. The October 2020 ERO report found that the service was not meeting all health and safety requirements. The teaching team has changed since the previous report. Of the 22 children enrolled the majority identify as Māori and a small number as Samoan.

Summary of Review Findings

The service curriculum provides children with a range of experiences and opportunities to enhance and extend their learning and development - both indoors and outdoors, individually and in groups. Children experience positive, respectful interactions with adults. The service curriculum provides a language rich environment that supports children’s learning.

Children are given the opportunity to develop knowledge and understanding of the cultural heritages of both parties to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Positive steps are taken to acknowledge the aspirations held by parents and whānau for their children.

Suitable human resource management and workforce safety checking practices are not being implemented.

Actions for Compliance

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

  • suitable human resource management practices are implemented including selection and appointment procedures and a system of regular appraisal

  • all children’s workers who have access to children are safety checked in accordance with the Children’s Act 2014.

[Licencing Criteria for Early Childhood Education and Care Centres 2008, GMA7, GMA7A]

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

  • heavy furniture, fixtures and equipment that could fall and topple and cause serious injury or damage are secured [HS6]

  • equipment, premises and facilities are checked on everyday of operation for hazards to children [HS12]

  • any windows or other areas of glass accessible to children are either made of safety glass or covered by an adhesive film designed to hold the glass in place in the event of being broken [PF7].

Recommendation to Ministry of Education

ERO recommends that the Ministry reassess the licence issued to this service provider. ERO will not undertake a further review of this service until the Ministry of Education is satisfied that the service meets regulatory standards.

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

1 September 2022 

Information About the Service

Early Childhood Service Name

Marton Junction Community Pre-school

Profile Number

50529

Location

Marton

Service type

Education and care service

Number licensed for

20 children, over the age of 2

Percentage of qualified teachers

100%

Service roll

22

Review team on site

July 2022

Date of this report

1 September 2022

Most recent ERO report(s)

Akanuku | Assurance Review, October 2020; Education Review, March 2019

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.

Marton Junction Community Pre-school - 06/10/2020

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

Regulatory standards
ERO’s judgement

Curriculum

Meeting

Premises and facilities

Meeting

Health and safety

Not meeting

Governance, management and administration

Meeting

At the time of the review, ERO identified non-compliance with regulatory standards that must be addressed.

Background

Marton Junction Community Pre-school is a community-based service managed and governed by a volunteer committee.  The March 2019 ERO report found that the service required further development.  There have been staff changes since the previous report.  Committee members and teachers have engaged in professional learning.  Progress is evident. 

Summary of Review Findings

Children are supported to participate in a range of curriculum opportunities.  Strategies are in place to involve whānau in their children’s learning.  A large outdoor area provides opportunities for exploration and learning.  Outdoor fencing is required to ensure that children are not able to leave the premises without the knowledge of adults providing education and care.

At the time of the review, the service does not have a current evacuation scheme approved by New Zealand Fire Service/Fire and Emergency New Zealand. The service is progressing an evacuation scheme approval process with Fire and Emergency New Zealand. Emergency planning is in place and emergency drills are regularly practised. 

Actions for Compliance

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

  • sections of outdoor fencing that have footholds allowing for children to leave the premises without the knowledge of adults providing education and care
  • a current Fire Evacuation Scheme approved by the New Zealand Fire Service/Fire and Emergency New Zealand.

[Licensing Criteria for Early Childhood Education and Care Centres 2008, HS4, PF13] 

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

  • sections of outdoor fencing have been modified ensuring children are unable to leave the premises without the knowledge of adults providing education and care

[Licensing Criteria for Early Childhood Education and Care Centres 2008, PF13] 

Recommendation to Ministry of Education

ERO recommends the Ministry follows up with the service provider to ensure that non-compliance identified in this report is addressed promptly.

Next ERO Review

The next ERO review of will be in consultation with the Ministry of Education.

Phil Cowie
Director Review and Improvement Services (Central)
Central Region | Te Tai Pūtahi Nui
6 October 2020  

Information About the Service

Early Childhood Service Name

Marton Junction Community Pre-school

Profile Number

50529

Location

Marton

Service type

Education and care service

Number licensed for

20 children aged over 2 years

Percentage of qualified teachers

80%+

Service roll

20

Gender composition

Male 11, Female 9

Ethnic composition

Māori 11
NZ European/Pākehā 4
Samoan 4
Other ethnic groups 1

Review team on site

31 August 2020

Date of this report

6 October 2020

Most recent ERO report(s)

 

Assurance Review March 2019
Education Review January 2017
Education Review August 2013

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.

Marton Junction Community Pre-school - 06/03/2019

1 Evaluation of Marton Junction Community Pre-school

How well placed is Marton Junction Community Pre-school to promote positive learning outcomes for children?

Not well placed

Requires further development

Well placed

Very well placed

Marton Junction Community Pre-school requires further development to promote positive learning outcomes for children.

ERO's findings that support this overall judgement are summarised below.

Background

Marton Junction Community Pre-school is a community-based early learning service located in Marton. The centre operates from 8.30am to 3.30pm Monday to Friday. It is licensed for a maximum of 20 children aged over two years and operates from a classroom in the local primary school. At the time of this review there are 22 children enrolled; 11 identify as Māori and five of Samoan heritage.

The centre is governed by a management committee that includes parents, staff and members of the local community. Since the May 2016 ERO evaluation, a new senior teacher, committee chairperson and trustees have been appointed. The day-to-day operation and leading of teaching and learning is the responsibility of the fully qualified senior teacher. She works closely with one other permanent staff member who is currently working towards completing her full teacher registration.

The centre philosophy is currently being revised in consultation with parents, whānau and teachers. It is underpinned by Te Whāriki (2017), the early childhood curriculum. Centre priorities are grounded in the whakatauki 'Manaaki Whenua, Manaaki Tangata, Haere Whakamua' - 'Care for the land, Care for the people, Go Forward'.

Since ERO's previous evaluation the service has been supported by the Ministry of Education to improve and strengthen policies. Staff have also participated in external professional learning and development focused on cultural competencies for teachers of Pacific learners.

Marton Junction Community Preschool is a member of the South Rangitikei Kāhui Ako.

The Review Findings

The indoor and outdoor settings support a range of learning experiences that offer challenge for children. Children are engaged, creative and enthusiastic learners across the environment. Literacy, mathematics, sustainability, te ao Māori, music and creative opportunities are assisting to progress children's language, knowledge and understanding.

Tuakana teina interactions, collaborative learning, and positive respectful relationships are experienced. Relational practices, manaakitanga and whanaungatanga are central to partnerships with parents, fanau and children and guides teaching and learning links between home and the centre.

Learning stories, as the centre’s assessment approach, show variation in the depth and breadth of learning experiences, continuity and progression over time. Teachers’ planning, assessment and evaluation guidelines are newly implemented since the previous report. These include increased opportunities for gathering parent aspirations and input that are sought through conversations, online contributions, children's displayed planning and individual plans, and portfolios. Programme planning and curriculum implementation is now guided by children's identified goals that are responsive to their interests and preferences. Children’s voice is valued and highlighted in these processes.

Teachers successfully promote a te ao Māori learning environment. Local hapū and iwi knowledge and understanding are incorporated into the programme in meaningful and respectful ways. Māori expertise guides te reo me ngā tikanga Māori which is woven through daily learning experiences.

Children with additional learning needs are well catered for and supported. Deliberate strategies are used to promote learning and participation. The centre has positive relationships with external specialists who are involved as needed.

There are well-considered transition processes to school which positively support children and families.

Leaders have introduced a revised annual appraisal process. To improve centre practices all aspects of appraisal need to be implemented. These should include: goal setting, targeted observations linked to teacher's goals; meetings; teaching as inquiry; feedback/feedforward and the use of an annual summary document. These should highlight areas for teachers to more effectively guide children's learning and assist in building their capability to know what is making the most difference for children's learning.

Management and governance express a commitment to improving centre practices. Continuing to develop trustees' knowledge and understanding of roles and responsibilities is an important priority to support the service to sustain and improve its performance.

Centre leaders should continue to build knowledge and understanding of review and internal evaluation to guide improvement. This includes further developing the current framework, to assist all teachers to know about the impact of actions on outcomes for children.

Key Next Steps

Leaders and trustees should continue to:

  • grow their professional capability to more effectively carry out their roles and responsibilities

  • build knowledge and understanding of internal evaluation to guide improvement to know what is making the most difference for children's learning and why

  • improve consistency of assessment and planning processes that better reflects the learning that is valued and how this learning is deepened and supported over time

  • full implementation of the appraisal process to assist teachers to grow their teaching practice.

Management Assurance on Legal Requirements

Before the review, the staff and management of Marton Junction Community Pre-school 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.

During the review, ERO looked at the 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 registration; ratios)

  • evacuation procedures and practices for fire and earthquake.

All early childhood services are required to promote children's health and safety and to regularly review their compliance with legal requirements.

Actions for compliance

ERO identified areas of non-compliance relating to governance and management and the provision of an effective early childhood education for children.

To meet requirements the service needs to improve its performance by ensuring that it:

  • is effectively governed and managed in accordance with good management practices, including review and evaluation practices.
    [Licensing Criteria for Early Childhood Education and Care Centres 2008, GMA6, GMA7]

Development Plan Recommendation

ERO recommends that the service, in consultation with the Ministry of Education, develops a plan to address the key next steps and actions outlined in this report.

Phil Cowie

Director Review and Improvement Services

Central Region

6 March 2019

The Purpose of ERO Reports

The Education Review Office (ERO) is the government department that, as part of its work, reviews early childhood services throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. ERO’s reports provide information for parents and communities about each service’s strengths and next steps for development. ERO’s bicultural evaluation framework Ngā Pou Here is described in SECTION 3 of this report. Early childhood services are partners in the review process and are expected to make use of the review findings to enhance children's wellbeing and learning.

2 Information about the Early Childhood Service

Location

Marton

Ministry of Education profile number

50529

Licence type

Education & Care Service

Licensed under

Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008

Number licensed for

20 children, over 2

Service roll

22

Gender composition

Girls 12, Boys 10

Ethnic composition

Māori
Pākehā
Samoan
Other ethnic groups

11
5
5
1

Percentage of qualified teachers

0-49% 50-79% 80%+

Based on funding rates

50-79%

Reported ratios of staff to children

1:10

Meets minimum requirements

Review team on site

January 2019

Date of this report

6 March 2019

Most recent ERO report(s)

 

Education Review

May 2016

Education Review

June 2013

Education Review

June 2010

3 General Information about Early Childhood Reviews

ERO’s Evaluation Framework

ERO’s overarching question for an early childhood education review is ‘How well placed is this service to promote positive learning outcomes for children?’ ERO focuses on the following factors as described in the bicultural framework Ngā Pou Here:

  • Pou Whakahaere – how the service determines its vision, philosophy and direction to ensure positive outcomes for children
  • Pou Ārahi – how leadership is enacted to enhance positive outcomes for children
  • Mātauranga – whose knowledge is valued and how the curriculum is designed to achieve positive outcomes for children
  • Tikanga whakaako – how approaches to teaching and learning respond to diversity and support positive outcomes for children.

Within these areas ERO considers the effectiveness of arotake – self review and of whanaungatanga – partnerships with parents and whānau.

ERO evaluates how well placed a service is to sustain good practice and make ongoing improvements for the benefit of all children at the service.

A focus for the government is that all children, especially priority learners, have an opportunity to benefit from quality early childhood education. ERO will report on how well each service promotes positive outcomes for all children, with a focus on children who are Māori, Pacific, have diverse needs, and are up to the age of two.

For more information about the framework and Ngā Pou Here refer to ERO’s Approach to Review in Early Childhood Services.

ERO’s Overall Judgement and Next Review

The overall judgement that ERO makes will depend on how well the service promotes positive learning outcomes for children. The categories are:

  • Very well placed
  • Well placed
  • Requires further development
  • Not well placed

ERO has developed criteria for each category. These are available on ERO’s website.

Review Coverage

ERO reviews are tailored to each service’s context and performance, within the overarching review framework. The aim is to provide information on aspects that are central to positive outcomes for children and useful to the service.