Woodhouse Early Learning Centre

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

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

Background

Woodhouse Early Learning Centre is a privately owned and operated education and care service. The owner manages the centre with support from a team leader and two trained teachers. Two age-based areas cater for children from infants to school age. The January 2019 ERO report found that the service required further development to promote positive learning outcomes for children.

Summary of Review Findings

The service is not meeting regulatory standards in a significant number of areas. The service’s premises do not currently meet regulatory standards. Consistent implementation of health and safety practices is required to meet all aspects of regulatory compliance.

The service curriculum is informed by assessment, planning and evaluation that demonstrates an understanding of children’s learning and their interests. There are regular opportunities for parents to communicate with teachers about their child’s education and share information about their child’s learning. Positive steps are taken to respect and acknowledge the aspirations held by parents and whānau for their children.

Actions for Compliance

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

• a safe and effective means of maintaining a room temperature of no lower than 16°C in the sleep room and other parts of the building used by children
• provision of a space for children under two to sleep that is designed to minimise fluctuations in temperature
• premises being kept safe and hygienic
• securing heavy furniture, fixtures, and equipment that could fall or topple and cause serious injury or damage
• use of the risk management system to identify isolate or minimise hazards
• hygienic storage of food
• rooms used by children kept at a comfortable temperature no lower than 16 degrees C (at 500mm above the floor) while children are attending.   

Licensing Criteria for Early Childhood Education and Care Services, 2008, PF37, HS1, HS6, HS12, HS20, HS24.

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

• information and guidance sought when necessary from agencies/services to enable adults providing education and care to work effectively with children and their parents (C13)
• ventilation that allows fresh air to circulate (particularly in sanitary areas) (PF12)
• outdoor area for under 2-year-old children being safe and well-drained (PF13)
• providing a means of keeping perishable food protected from vermin and insects (PF16)
• prominently displaying the Licensing Criteria for Early Childhood Education and Care Services 2008. (GMA1)

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 of Woodhouse Early Learning Centre will be in consultation with the Ministry of Education.

Lesley Patterson
Director Review and Improvement Services (Southern)
Southern Region | Te Tai Tini
1 December 2020

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 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.