150 Centre Street, Invercargill
View on map|
Not well placed |
Requires further development |
Well placed |
Very well placed |
Newfield Kindergarten is very well placed to promote positive learning outcomes for children.
ERO's findings that support this overall judgement are summarised below.
Newfield Kindergarten provides early childhood education for children over two years of age. The kindergarten is licensed for up to 40 children who participate in half or full-day sessions from 8.30am to 2.30 pm. The day-to-day operation of the kindergarten is managed by a head teacher, supported by three qualified early childhood teachers and parent help.
The philosophy states that children will be:
nurtured in an environment that is bicultural and inclusive, and supports the holistic way in which they learn
encouraged to develop the knowledge, skills, dispositions and working theories for life-long learning
self-motivated learners who love and take care of themselves, others and the environment
well supported in literacy, numeracy, transition to school, communication and social competency.
Newfield Kindergarten is one of 23 kindergartens administered by Kindergartens South (KS). A general manager oversees the association under the governance of a board. Senior teachers provide ongoing professional advice and guidance to each kindergarten and teaching team.
Since the 2013 ERO review a new head teacher has been appointed. The teachers have made very good progress to meet the recommendations in the 2013 report. Internal evaluation, and planning and assessment practices, have improved. Closer links have also been established between strategic goals, professional development and internal evaluation.
This review was part of a cluster of seven reviews in KS.
Children are supported to be confident and competent learners who think deeply about, and regularly revisit and refine their learning. Teachers are strongly focused on learning and helping children to think critically. They value and know each child and their family as individuals. They make good use of this information to engage children in meaningful and challenging learning.
The nurturing learning environment and well-planned programmes successfully promote children's social competence. This is evident in the way children are encouraged to be leaders, be respectful and work cooperatively with others. They treat others fairly and willingly include them in their play.
Māori and Pacific cultures are valued, celebrated and well-integrated into the curriculum. Te reo and tikanga Māori feature prominently in the programme. The kindergarten's involvement in the recent Polyfest cultural event further encouraged Pacific parents to be involved in the life of the centre. Teachers are highly committed to these areas of the curriculum and are continuing to extend their own skills and knowledge. This focus enables Māori and Pacific children to have a strong sense of belonging, and have pride in their cultural heritages.
Literacy, science, mathematics and music are well integrated across the curriculum in ways that grow children's deeper thinking, understanding and communication skills. This is seen in the way children express their ideas respectfully.
Children are highly engaged in the programme. Curriculum design, assessment and planning are used well to identify meaningful learning, challenge children's understandings and build competent learners. Parent aspirations are used effectively to structure learning goals and opportunities. Teachers use a variety of useful strategies that help children, including those with additional learning needs, to develop a deeper understanding of the world around them.
The well-structured, resourced and inviting learning environment encourages children to be curious and explore. Children show a sense of responsibility for the living world and have gained knowledge about how to care for it. They challenge themselves physically and enjoy each other's company.
Whānau are partners in learning and life of the centre. Their opinions and views are actively sought. They are very well informed about their children's learning and wellbeing.
The strong alignment of the kindergarten's strategic goals, philosophy and curriculum design help ensure priorities for learning are clear and promote positive outcomes for children. Internal evaluation is well structured, coherent and understood. Teachers use it skilfully to identify what is going well, and what needs to improve. The depth of their analysis ensures high quality practices are recognised, sustained and extended.
Since ERO’s 2017 reviews of KS kindergartens, there have been significant changes within the association management and leadership team. Many of the good practices in place to support the kindergartens have been sustained. However ERO found that the board needs better information to know how well kindergartens are improving outcomes for children. The board also needs to review its own performance and review the roles and responsibilities within the association leadership and management team.
The association and board have clearly identified, and ERO agrees, that the key next steps (for KS) to further improve outcomes for children are to:
further develop the vision, values, philosophy and goals to better reflect the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and te ao Māori perspectives
ensure reporting and monitoring at all levels are evaluative and show how outcomes for children have been improved, especially for priority learners and in relation to the association’s valued outcomes, vision and philosophy
ensure there is a clear process for consulting with all parents and whānau Māori within the association
monitor the effectiveness of new initiatives
review the roles and responsibilities of leadership positions within the association and review the performance and effectiveness of the board
review and update the complaints policy and procedure.
Teachers at Newfield Kindergarten have clearly identified, and ERO agrees, that the key next step to further improve outcomes for children is to:
involve children more in knowing about their own progress and learning.
Before the review, the staff and management of Newfield Kindergarten 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:
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.
Alan Wynyard
Director Review and Improvement Services Southern
Southern Region
13 March 2019
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.
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Location |
Invercargill |
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Ministry of Education profile number |
5522 |
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Licence type |
Free Kindergarten |
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Licensed under |
Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008 |
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Number licensed for |
40 children aged over 2 years |
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Service roll |
36 |
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Gender composition |
Boys: 20 Girls: 16 |
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Ethnic composition |
Māori |
9 |
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Percentage of qualified teachers 0-49% 50-79% 80%+ Based on funding rates |
80% + |
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Reported ratios of staff to children |
Over 2 |
1:10 |
Meets minimum requirements |
|
Review team on site |
November 2018 |
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Date of this report |
13 March 2019 |
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Most recent ERO reports |
Education Review |
October 2013 |
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|
Education Review |
August 2010 |
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|
Education Review |
December 2006 |
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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.
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.
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.
|
Not well placed |
Requires further development |
Well placed |
Very well placed |
ERO's findings that support this overall judgement are summarised below.
Children at Newfield kindergarten benefit from a rich and stimulating programme that supports their learning and wellbeing. They play and learn in an exceptionally well-resourced indoor environment that is inviting and inspiring. The outdoor area is a natural environment providing challenges for children and a variety of play spaces for children to explore. Both these areas have been intentionally constructed to provide spaces that inspire children.
Newfield Kindergarten is located next to the primary school in Newfield, Invercargill. The teachers have established close links with the school.
Children attend a mixture of extended day, morning and afternoon sessions and may also attend a weekly playgroup before they formally start kindergarten.
A feature of this kindergarten is the Whānau room that has been developed as a space for families to gather and stay and, at times, meet with visiting agencies such as the Public Health Nurse. Many parents spend time with their children during the sessions during the “stay and play” days each week.
The very experienced head teacher provides strong leadership to the team. Teachers work well together to support children’s learning.
This review was part of a cluster of 23 reviews in the Southland Kindergarten Association.
Children benefit from the partnerships teachers have with them and their whānau. There is a sense of aroha (respect) between them. Teachers know the children very well. They are attuned to the children’s personalities and learning styles. They have respectful, nurturing relationships with them.
Children have strong friendships with one another. Their teachers have taught them how to use effective communication and other ways to help them relate well with each other. Children are empowered to take increasing responsibility for the wellbeing of themselves and others.
Children spend long periods of time developing their ideas and making their play more complex. They have fun together.
The experienced head teacher has high expectations and provides strong leadership for teaching and learning. The teachers and head teacher are:
The teachers have high expectations for children’s learning and behaviour. They view children as competent learners and explorers. Children know these expectations. ERO observed children confidently making choices about their learning and play. Teachers support children to experiment, set themselves challenges and make links across time and activities by revisiting their ideas, interests and deepening their understanding. Teachers take time to genuinely listen to children and explore the deeper meanings in their learning. They foster children’s language development and are strong advocates for children who they have identified as requiring additional support.
The kindergarten’s curriculum is effectively designed to promote positive outcomes for all children. Teachers use their in-depth knowledge of children and subject content knowledge to provide layers of complexity in programmes to enrich children’s learning.
Children’s learning is enhanced by the provision of an extensive range of subject areas embedded in real-life contexts stemming from children’s interests. This includes mathematics, science, art, dramatic play, literacy, information and communication technologies (ICT), physical play, gardening and sustainability.
Planning for learning is a strength. This is evident in the way that:
Learning is made visible for children and their whānau in the displays of children’s experiences.
The head teacher and teachers have a very strong commitment to ensuring all children know about the dual heritage of Aotearoa. They make extensive use of resources and many planned experiences that includes, myths, legends and te reo Māori.
The head teacher and teachers have developed a kindergarten philosophy, vision and strategic intent that align with the Southland Kindergarten Association’s strategic intent. They have developed useful action plans to implement these.
The head teacher maintains efficient systems for managing the workload and running the kindergarten.
The Kindergarten South governors consulted widely when developing the vision and goals that guide the long term direction of the association. They have high expectations that the association and each kindergarten will:
The association is committed to transforming each kindergarten’s outdoor play area. Children now play and learn in beautiful and natural environments.
Governors and staff have a clear understanding of the roles of governance and management in the association. They have developed a useful policy framework and guidelines that support the day-to-day and long-term operation of the kindergartens.
The advisory-support teachers provide useful feedback and guidance to staff and endorse the high expectations set by the board of governors. Newfield Kindergarten benefits from strong ongoing support from the general manager and other association staff.
A further enhancement to current good practice would be for the teachers to refine processes and documentation for strategic self review then use this to monitor the progress of their developments.
Before the review, the staff and management of Newfield Kindergarten 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.
The next ERO review of Newfield Kindergarten will be in four years.
Graham Randell
National Manager Review Services
Southern Region
30 October 2013
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.
|
Location |
Invercargill |
||
|
Ministry of Education profile number |
5522 |
||
|
Licence type |
Free Kindergarten |
||
|
Licensed under |
Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008 |
||
|
Number licensed for |
30 children over two years of age |
||
|
Service roll |
39 |
||
|
Gender composition |
Boys: 21 Girls 18 |
||
|
Ethnic composition |
Māori NZ European/Pākehā Samoan Russian |
9 28 1 1 |
|
|
Percentage of qualified teachers 0-49% 50-79% 80% Based on funding rates |
80% |
||
|
Reported ratios of staff to children |
Under 2 |
Not applicable |
|
|
Over 2 |
1:10 |
Meets minimum requirements |
|
|
Review team on site |
September 2013 |
||
|
Date of this report |
30 October 2013 |
||
|
Most recent ERO report(s) |
Education Review |
August 2010 |
|
|
Education Review |
December 2006 |
||
|
Education Review |
October 2004 |
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.
The overall judgement that ERO makes and the timing of the next review will depend on how well placed a service is to promote positive learning outcomes for children. The categories are:
ERO has developed criteria for each category. These are available on ERO’s website.
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.