Barnardos Early Learning Centre Manurewa

Education institution number:
25427
Service type:
Education and Care Service
Definition:
Not Applicable
Total roll:
41
Telephone:
Address:

14s Scotts Road, Manurewa, Auckland

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Barnardos Early Learning Centre Manurewa - 07/03/2019

1 Evaluation of Barnardos Early Learning Centre Manurewa

How well placed is Barnardos Early Learning Centre Manurewa to promote positive learning outcomes for children?

Not well placed

Requires further development

Well placed

Very well placed

Barnardos Early Learning Centre Manurewa is well placed to promote positive learning outcomes for children.

Barnardos Early Learning Centre Manurewa requires ongoing support from Barnardos managers to continue improving the quality of the curriculum, programme planning, assessment and evaluation.

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

Background

Barnardos Early Learning Centre Manurewa is licensed to provide for 50 children, including 12 up to two years of age. Most of the children attending have Māori or Pacific heritage, and many are learning to speak English as an additional language.

The centre employs six qualified teachers, one teacher trainee and a cook. The teaching team is comprised of a number of recent appointments including a centre manager.

The centre is part of Barnardos New Zealand, a longstanding organisation with a clear strategic focus on social services and advocacy for tamariki, and whānau, and excellence in early childhood care and education. The Barnardos board works with executive and senior leadership teams. Two Upper North Regional managers and a practice adviser work alongside centre-based and home-based managers in Auckland. The appointment of a second professional practice adviser is imminent.

This review was part of a cluster of five reviews in Barnardos New Zealand Early Learning Services.

The Review Findings

Teachers are focused on providing play activities and consistent routines for children to develop social competence. They are in the early stages of learning to be more responsive to children's interests.

Children are keen to engage in play with their peers and to interact with adults. However, their play does not progress beyond a basic level and tends to shift quickly from one play area to another. Teachers are not yet interacting well with children to develop their social competence, sustained complex play or language development through conversations about their play.

Children under the age of two years have good opportunities for exploratory play at an unhurried pace. Teachers are respectful to children and read their cues well. Teachers are yet to access professional learning and development that is specific to the infant and toddler age group.

Teachers establish good relationships with parents. There are some examples where parent/teacher partnerships and external agency support have impacted well on outcomes for children with additional learning needs. These approaches are supporting these children's wellbeing and belonging.

The centre manager and leaders are aware that there is a need to develop shared understandings of the centre's philosophy, teacher capability and a culture of improvement. A planned review of the philosophy should contribute to improving the quality of teaching to realise the centre's philosophy and implement Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum.

Barnardos has aligned organisational strategic priorities with its vision, philosophy and valued outcomes for children. The organisation has recently introduced a number of new initiatives and improved systems for accountability and quality assurance, to support increasing capability and consistency across Barnardos early learning services. Many new initiatives are at early stages of implementation. Managers make purposeful use of a quality assurance framework and progress towards strategic goals is systematically monitored and reported. The impact of new developments on outcomes for children is not yet evident. The appointment of a second practice adviser should support a shift in focus from compliance to quality improvement.

Barnardos leaders have developed a strategic approach to strengthening understandings of te reo me ōna tikanga Māori and culturally responsive practices. Specific Barnardos initiatives respond to the diverse needs of children and their families. In this service there is capability amongst the teaching team to strengthen the development of te reo me ōna tikanga Māori and Pacific values and approaches in the programme.

Key Next Steps

Centre leaders agree that external professional support will be necessary for teachers to improve the quality of the curriculum, programme planning, assessment and evaluation. Priorities for development are to:

  • support all staff and parents to have a shared understanding about the centre's philosophy statement

  • improve teachers' understanding of children's learning and development, and best practice in early childhood education

  • implement positive guidance and teaching strategies that encourage children's social and emotional competence

  • implement an ongoing process of internal evaluation that helps the service to continually improve the quality of programmes and outcomes for children.

During ERO’s September 2018 cluster, Barnardos leaders identified relevant next steps relating to:

  • embedding and evaluating the impact of new initiatives

  • the establishment of systems for monitoring and evaluating progress towards strategic goals

  • strengthening internal evaluation at all levels, including ‘teaching as inquiry’.

This review also identified the need for the practice advisers to continue providing close support for teaching teams to improve culturally responsive practices, curriculum quality and the implementation of Te Whāriki 2017.

Barnardos managers have provided ERO with an action plan that shows how the priorities for improvement in this centre, including health and safety concerns, will be addressed. ERO will evaluate the extent of this progress within six months.

Management Assurance on Legal Requirements

Before the review, the staff and management of Barnardos Early Learning Centre Manurewa 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.

ERO identified areas of non-compliance relating to curriculum. In order to address this, managers and teachers should ensure that:

  • the service curriculum is informed by assessment, planning, and evaluation (documented and undocumented) that demonstrates an understanding of children’s learning, their interests, whānau, and life contexts

  • the service curriculum and staff practice supports children’s developing social competence and understanding of appropriate behaviour through positive guidance

  • the practices of adults providing education and care demonstrate an understanding of children’s learning and development, and knowledge of current relevant theories and practice in early childhood education.

Licensing Criteria for Early Childhood Education and Care Centres 2008, C3,C4,C10.

Steve Tanner
Director Review and Improvement Services Northern
Northern Region

7 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

Manurewa, Auckland

Ministry of Education profile number

25427

Licence type

Education & Care Service

Licensed under

Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008

Number licensed for

50 children, including up to 12 aged under 2

Service roll

46

Gender composition

Boys 27 Girls 19

Ethnic composition

Māori
Pākehā
Tongan
Samoan
other ethnic groups

15
5
10
7
9

Percentage of qualified teachers

80% +

Reported ratios of staff to children

Under 2

1:5

Meets minimum requirements

Over 2

1:10

Meets minimum requirements

Review team on site

December 2018

Date of this report

7 March 2019

Most recent ERO report(s)

Education Review

March 2015

Education Review

May 2012

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

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.

Barnardos Early Learning Centre Manurewa - 30/03/2015

1 Evaluation of Barnardos KidStart Childcare - Manurewa East Early Learning Centre

How well placed is Barnardos KidStart Childcare - Manurewa East Early Learning Centre to promote positive learning outcomes for children?

Not well placed

Requires further development

Well placed

Very well placed

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

Background

Barnardos KidStart Childcare – Manurewa East Early Learning Centre operates under the umbrella of the Barnardos organisation which provides on-going management and professional support.

The centre operates in the grounds of the local primary school and caters for 50 children including 12 up to two years of age. The centre provides full day education and care for the local, diverse community. High numbers of children attending have Māori heritage.

The recent appointment of a new head teacher has prompted teachers to review and redevelop their philosophy statement in collaboration with whānau. It has also led to changes in the centre environment, particularly with arrangements of playing spaces and displays. The new teaching team comprises predominantly qualified teachers.

The 2012 ERO review of the centre was its first. The report describes strengths in the programme, and sound relationships with and respect for the cultural heritages of whānau. The report also noted that planning systems, self review and parent involvement were areas that could improve. Teachers were also encouraged to focus on implementing strategies to increase the complexity of children’s play. Teachers continue to address these areas.

The Review Findings

Teachers warmly welcome children and their families at the start of their day. Children are quick to settle to play. They display a strong sense of belonging and wellbeing in their conversations with teachers and their friends. Families are comfortable and relaxed with teachers, sharing news from home and staying briefly to settle their children. It is obvious that teachers know children and their families well. Parents are beginning to contribute to programmes.

Teachers plan and provide programmes that effectively entice children to participate and make choices about their play. Resources are stored attractively and recent reorganisation has made more room for interesting displays to attract children. Children move freely between the indoor and outdoor areas. Teachers are careful about arranging activities to take advantage of shade.

Children are engaged in their play. The younger children are able to play, for the majority of the day, with their older siblings and friends. Teachers prompted support for the little ones’ learning by encouraging thoughtful tuakana teina relationships. Older children are careful and loving with the younger children.

Teacher use effective strategies to encourage children to think for themselves and to solve problems as part of their play. Most conversations with children are held down at their level and are one-to-one. Some teachers are also able to engage with children through use of their home languages. Children are articulate with teachers and their peers. There is still a need to continue to support children to elaborate and extend the complexity of their play.

Barnardos supports teachers to understand and acknowledge New Zealand’s bicultural heritage in their work with children and families. This is a strength in Barnardos - Manurewa East. Teachers all strive to include te reo Māori in their interactions and displays. Teachers recognise the importance of family heritage. Resources also include many with Māori themes or language. Displays and language also acknowledge the smaller number of Pacific Island and Indian children who attend.

Teachers have developed relationships with the school which is on site. This supports the sharing of information about children who will attend the school, and the programmes that support their development and learning in the centre. Teachers are planning an in-depth researched self review to support them to integrate literacy and numeracy in play. It will also focus on further enhancing children’s social competence and confidence as key steps for children’s easy transition to school.

Barnardos provide effective and ongoing support for teachers to improve practice and to strengthen teaching and learning programmes. Appraisal systems encourage teacher’s recognition of their responsibilities, as registered teachers, to maintain high standards of learning and teaching. Professional learning is provided as internal and external professional development. Administration and management are well organised, and systems are current. Despite several changes to leadership roles and positions, the centre remains efficient and sustainable.

Key Next Steps

Managers agree that key next steps for the centre are to continue to:

  • support teachers to engage in more professional discussions, evaluation and self review to help them identify their own professional needs and expectations about programmes
  • strengthen the complexity of play through conversations and questioning that encourages children to think and plan
  • continue to support diverse learners through language and communication development.

Management Assurance on Legal Requirements

Before the review, the staff and management of Barnardos KidStart Childcare - Manurewa East Early Learning Centre 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.

Next ERO Review

When is ERO likely to review the service again?

The next ERO review of Barnardos KidStart Childcare - Manurewa East Early Learning Centre will be in three years.

Dale Bailey

Deputy Chief Review Officer Northern

30 March 2015

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

Manurewa, Auckland

Ministry of Education profile number

25427

Licence type

Education & Care Service

Licensed under

Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008

Number licensed for

50 children, including up to 12 aged under 2

Service roll

50

Gender composition

Girls 27

Boys 23

Ethnic composition

Māori

Pākehā

Indian

Samoan

Other

23

12

6

6

3

Percentage of qualified teachers

0-49% 50-79% 80%

Based on funding rates

80%

Reported ratios of staff to children

Under 2

1:4

Better than minimum requirements

 

Over 2

1:8

Better than minimum requirements

Review team on site

January 2015

Date of this report

30 March 2015

Most recent ERO report(s)

 

Education Review

May 2012

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 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:

  • Very well placed – The next ERO review in four years
  • Well placed – The next ERO review in three years
  • Requires further development – The next ERO review within two years
  • Not well placed - The next ERO review in consultation with the Ministry of Education

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.