41 Saxton Street, Vogeltown, New Plymouth
View on mapERO’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.
Regulatory standards |
ERO’s judgement |
|
Curriculum |
Meeting |
|
Premises and facilities |
Meeting |
|
Health and safety |
Meeting |
|
Governance, management and administration |
Meeting |
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.
Country Footsteps was recently re-licensed under the new governance of New Plymouth Country Footsteps Trust. The service is located within the premises of New Plymouth Adventist Christian School. A recently appointed Head Teacher leads a teaching team of two. The philosophy reflects the service’s Christian character.
The curriculum provides children with opportunities to participate in a range of experiences to enhance and extend their learning. Kaiako nurture reciprocal relationships. The service’s curriculum is consistent with Te Whāriki, early childhood curriculum, and informed by assessment and planning that demonstrate an understanding of children’s interests. Regular opportunities are provided for parents to share their children’s learning and be involved in decision-making about their child’s learning.
Premises and facilities are resourced to provide for the learning and abilities of the children attending. Suitable human resource management practices are in place.
One aspect of the Health and Safety criteria did not meet minimum requirements during the onsite visit.
Next steps include:
Since the onsite visit the service has provided ERO with evidence that shows it has addressed the following non-compliances:
The next ERO review is likely to be an Akarangi | Quality Evaluation.
Shelley Booysen
Acting Director Review and Improvement Services (Central)
Central Region | Te Tai Pūtahi Nui
24 November 2021
|
Early Childhood Service Name |
Country Footsteps |
|
Profile Number |
47282 |
|
Location |
New Plymouth |
|
Service type |
Education and care service |
|
Number licensed for |
25 children |
|
Percentage of qualified teachers |
80-99% |
|
Service roll |
12 |
|
Ethnic composition |
NZ European/Pākehā 6, Other ethnic groups 6. |
|
Review team on site |
October 2021 |
|
Date of this report |
24 November 2021 |
|
Most recent ERO report(s) |
Akanuku/Assurance Review April 2019. |
|
Regulatory standards |
|
|
Curriculum |
Meeting |
|
Premises and facilities |
Meeting |
|
Health and safety |
Meeting |
|
Governance, management and administration |
Meeting |
At the time of the review, ERO found the service was taking reasonable steps to meet regulatory standards.
Country Footsteps, was recently re-licensed under the new ownership of Papatoetoe Adventist Early Childhood Trust. A regional manager oversees service operation. The day-to-day processes are managed by the centre supervisor. She leads a team of two qualified teachers. The environment and practices reflect the service’s special character.
Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum, informs the service’s planning, implementation and evaluation framework. Children have a variety of experiences as individuals and as a group. Their preferences are respected. Cultural practices and language opportunities support children’s confidence.
The service is governed and managed well. Health and safety systems are monitored. Parents and whānau have opportunities to inform the service about their child’s learning and contribute to service operation. There is a newly implemented appraisal system and a process of self-review to support teachers and managers to improve the quality of education and care for children attending the service.
The next ERO review is likely to be an Education Review.
Phillip Cowie
Director Review and Improvement Services Central
Central Region
8 April 2019
|
Early Childhood Service Name |
Country Footsteps |
|
Profile Number |
47282 |
|
Location |
New Plymouth |
|
Service type |
Education and care service |
|
Number licensed for |
children over 2 years25 |
|
Percentage of qualified teachers |
80% + |
|
Reported ratios of staff to children |
- Meets regulatory standards1 - 10 |
|
Service roll |
18 |
|
Gender composition |
Boys 12, Girls 6 |
|
Ethnic composition |
Pākehā 8 |
|
Review team on site |
March 2019 |
|
Date of this report |
8 April 2019 |
|
Most recent ERO report(s) |
No previous ERO reports |
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 Home-based Education and Care Services 2008
the Licensing Criteria for Hospital-based 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.
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 Assurance Review process is determined to be appropriate.
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 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 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.