Glen Eden Kindergarten

Education institution number:
5050
Service type:
Free Kindergarten
Definition:
Not Applicable
Total roll:
36
Telephone:
Address:

3 Clayburn Road, Glen Eden, Auckland

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Glen Eden Kindergarten - 15/02/2019

1 Evaluation of Glen Eden Kindergarten

How well placed is Glen Eden Kindergarten to promote positive learning outcomes for children?

Not well placed

Requires further development

Well placed

Very well placed

Glen Eden Kindergarten is well placed to promote positive learning outcomes for children.

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

Background

Glen Eden Kindergarten is licensed for 40 children aged two years and over, and offers six-hour days. It serves a culturally diverse community. The recently developed kindergarten philosophy reflects teachers' respect for te ao Māori.

The head teacher is supported by three other registered teachers, and a teacher aide. The kindergarten plans to recruit an administrator.

ERO's 2015 report noted a welcoming and inclusive environment and teachers' commitment to bicultural practices. These positive aspects continue to be present and bicultural practice has been enhanced. The report recommended improvements in internal evaluation. Good progress has been made in this area.

The kindergarten operates as part of the Auckland Kindergarten Association (AKA). The association provides a framework of policies and operational guidelines, support personnel and programmes of professional learning and development. The AKA is establishing new roles and responsibilities at management and governance levels. Recruitment of appropriate personnel to fill identified roles is underway.

This review was part of a cluster of nine reviews in the AKA.

The Review Findings

Children demonstrate a sense of belonging at the kindergarten. They take some responsibility for their own and others' wellbeing, reflecting manaakitanga, one of the kindergarten's values. They take on leadership roles in caring for the environment and the animals at the kindergarten.

Children are engaged, independent and choose where to play. They are respectful with each other and with teachers and adults. Older children often support their younger peers.

Children have opportunities to learn te reo Māori in meaningful and enjoyable ways. Teachers have embedded aspects of tikanga in everyday practices. Children benefit from teachers' knowledge and understanding of te ao me ngā tikanga Māori.

Teachers affirm, and provide resources that reflect, children's diverse cultural backgrounds. They plan to continue strengthening their responses to children's cultural backgrounds and languages.

Teachers know children and families well. They access external guidance and parents' input to plan programmes and strategies for individual children. They have developed appreciative approaches to working with younger children and those children with additional learning needs. Children and whānau are well supported to integrate into the kindergarten.

Parents who spoke to ERO report their satisfaction with teachers' calm, quiet approach. They are appreciative of their own and other cultures being acknowledged and celebrated. As a result of the positive and affirming relationships, whānau are comfortable to stay and settle children when needed.

Teachers collaboratively plan learning programmes based on children's interests. The events, celebrations and learning experiences provided for children are carefully recorded in portfolios and online. Outcomes for children are positive. This is because teachers provide varied play experiences, unhurried interactions and routines, and good support for children to develop social competence skills.

A robust framework is used for internal evaluation. The process is collaborative, and teachers have opportunities to add individual reflections. Strategic appointments of teachers, an in-depth strategic evaluation, and relevant professional learning have resulted in strengthened bicultural practices.

Leaders promote a collegial workplace culture. Regular meeting opportunities embedded into the appraisal process support teachers' professional growth. Teachers find the professional development offered by the AKA useful and informative. This support has helped them to develop a vision and to contribute to the priorities for the kindergarten.

Key Next Steps

The key next steps are to continue strengthening:

  • records of teachers' critical thinking and evaluation discussions to measure the impact of teaching strategies on children's learning
  • records of children's learning through assessment and planning
  • the integration of literacy and numeracy in the context of play in the programme.

It would be useful for AKA to:

  • monitor that all part time or relieving teachers are well informed about AKA policies and procedures
  • increase support to improve assessment practices, planning and evaluation
  • continue to support teachers to fully implement Te Whāriki 2017. 

Management Assurance on Legal Requirements

Before the review, the staff and management of Glen Eden 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.

Next ERO Review

When is ERO likely to review the service again?

The next ERO review of Glen Eden Kindergarten will be in three years.

Steve Tanner
Director Review and Improvement Services Northern
Northern Region

15 February 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

Glen Eden, Auckland

Ministry of Education profile number

5050

Licence type

Free Kindergarten

Licensed under

Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008

Number licensed for

40 children aged under 2 years

Service roll

56

Gender composition

Girls       31
Boys      25

Ethnic composition

Māori
Pākehā
Asian
Indian
Samoan
Cook Island Māori
other ethnic groups

14
13
  9
  6
  4
  4
  6

Percentage of qualified teachers

80% +

Reported ratios of staff to children

Over 2

1:10

Meets minimum requirements

Review team on site

December 2018

Date of this report

15 February 2019

Most recent ERO report(s)

Education Review

May 2015

Education Review

May 2012

Education Review

March 2009

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.

Glen Eden Kindergarten - 29/05/2015

1 Evaluation of Glen Eden Kindergarten

Glen Eden Kindergarten How well placed isto 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

Glen Eden Kindergarten serves a culturally and socially diverse community in West Auckland. It offers a Kindergarten Day Model so families have the choice of children attending either six hour or 3 hour daily sessions. Teachers and the community are positive about this model.

The kindergarten is licensed to provide education and care for up to 40 children, with the majority being at least three years of age. The kindergarten team includes a head teacher, three other registered teachers, a teaching assistant, a teacher aide and an administrator.

Inclusive relationships and child-led learning are aspects of the kindergarten philosophy which is founded on Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum. The philosophy also includes a focus on bicultural practice and environmental sustainability.

ERO’s 2012 report noted that teachers provided good quality education in a spacious and interesting environment. Children’s sense of wellbeing and belonging continues to be promoted. Since the 2012 ERO review the teaching team’s structure and roles have changed and a new head teacher has been appointed.

The kindergarten operates as part of the Auckland Kindergarten Association (AKA), which provides considered leadership, a management framework, support personnel and a programme of professional development for teachers.

After extensive review, consultation and development, the AKA has recently launched a new 10-year strategic direction. Its four strategic pillars or objectives relate to educational excellence, core organisational processes, community engagement and a future focus. These objectives are intended to guide the AKA and its kindergartens in their ongoing development. The AKA’s approach to rolling out a substantial change in its organisational structure has been carefully considered.

New AKA roles have been established to provide more targeted support for kindergarten operations, curriculum and development. Professional development is planned to support kindergarten head teachers in their leadership and management roles. A Quality Improvement Process (QIP) is being developed to monitor quality in kindergartens and contribute to self review and ongoing improvement.

This review was part of a cluster of ten kindergartens reviews in the Auckland Kindergarten Association.

The Review Findings

Teachers provide a culturally rich environment that is welcoming and inclusive to children and their families. A focus on children’s cultural backgrounds, and an emphasis on environmental sustainability and on healthy lifestyles are strongly evident throughout the centre.

Children have a strong sense of belonging, and know that adults respect and value their play and cultures. They are encouraged to become confident and capable learners. Children are busy and purposefully engage in self-directed play. Their developing social skills are evident in the support and concern they have for others. Children share their ideas and home language with teachers and other children.

Thoughtfully presented play areas enable children to explore and initiate play. The well-equipped, landscaped outdoor area offers children opportunities for natural science, physical challenge and imaginative play. Children’s work is prominently displayed.

Teachers are committed to developing bicultural practices and embedding te Ao Māori in the learning programme. Te reo Māori words and phrases are used. Teachers show confidence and respect in the appropriate use of tikanga Māori. Displays inform families of the importance of Māori language and values. These good practices help to affirm Māori children’s cultural identity.

The programme is based on children’s interests and the kindergarten’s goals. Teachers extend children’s understanding of the world around them in meaningful ways, nurturing children’s curiosity. Creativity and the use of technologies are encouraged. Programme planning, and implementation and assessment reflects the kindergarten’s play-based learning philosophy.

Parents expressed their appreciation of the education and care provided for children at the kindergarten. Teachers know children and their families well and invite them to share their aspirations. Parents are encouraged to be active contributors to the programme and to their child’s learning. Children’s transition to school is well supported and teachers are looking for ways to enhance this process.

Teachers are reflective, improvement focused, and collaborative. They are enthusiastic about research and professional development. Teachers acknowledge that self review could be further strengthened to be more robust and evaluative.

The AKA systems for monitoring and promoting improvement in kindergarten operations are well established. A variety of useful systems and processes contribute to the teaching team’s well established self review. Centre operations are guided by a comprehensive considered plan and a shared vision, linked to the AKA’s plan and vision. There are sound systems in place for health safety and accountability.

Key Next Steps

Teachers and the Professional Services Manager agree that key next steps could include:

  • strengthening the evaluative aspects of teacher practice and self review
  • exploring ways to deepen children’s thinking and learning
  • enhancing bicultural practice. 

Management Assurance on Legal Requirements

Before the review, the staff and management of Glen Eden 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.

Next ERO Review

When is ERO likely to review the service again?

The next ERO review of Glen Eden Kindergarten will be in three years.

Dale Bailey

Deputy Chief Review Officer Northern

29 May 2015

2 Information about the Early Childhood Service

Location

Glen Eden, Auckland

Ministry of Education profile number

5050

Licence type

Free Kindergarten

Licensed under

Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008

Number licensed for

40 children aged over 2 years of age

Service roll

50

Gender composition

Girls 25

Boys 25

Ethnic composition

Māori 6

Pākehā 16

Māori/Pacific 8

Samoan 5

Asian 3

Fijian Indian 3

Cook Island Māori 2

Iraqi 2

Niue 2

other 3

Percentage of qualified teachers

0-49% 50-79% 80%+

Based on funding rates

80% +

Reported ratios of staff to children

 

 

Over 2

1:10

Review team on site

March 2015

Date of this report

29 May 2015

Most recent ERO report(s)

 

Education Review May 2012

Education Review March 20009

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.