Greenpark Playcentre - 29/04/2015

• On this page:

• 1 Evaluation of Greenpark Playcentre
• 2 Information about the Early Childhood Service
• 3 General Information about Early Childhood Reviews

1 Evaluation of Greenpark Playcentre

How well placed is Greenpark Playcentre to promote positive learning outcomes for children?

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

Background

Greenpark Playcentre is a parent-led co-operative that provides sessional education and care for children from birth to school age in a mixed-age environment. It is situated adjacent to Greenpark School in south Tauranga and is licensed for 30 children including up to 15 under two years old. Within the current roll of 44, seven children identify as Māori. Infants and toddlers have a designated sleep and safe play area when needed. The playcentre operates under the umbrella of Western Bay of Plenty Playcentre Association (WBOPPA).

Adults at this playcentre have responded proactively to the 2011 ERO report. During this time, the number of parents undertaking playcentre courses has increased. Professional development has resulted in improved assessment practices and more emphasis on te reo and tikanga Māori. In 2014, significant property upgrades included re-roofing, repainting, renovating the kitchen and installing wash basins on the veranda for painting and other art activities.

The playcentre’s philosophy, developed with the association, places strong emphases on adults learning alongside one another, child-initiated play, recognition of Aotearoa/New Zealand’s bicultural heritage, and empowering families to make informed decisions about how to best provide for their children/tamariki. This ERO review finds that these focuses are continually reflected in the centre’s programme and practices. A warm, welcoming family-like atmosphere supports children to become confident, capable learners.

Parents benefit from the responsive support and guidance of a centre liaison officer and a centre administration officer provided by the association. WBOPPA also provides useful documentation and frameworks to guide centre operations. These guidelines are underpinned by the association’s philosophy.

This review was part of a cluster of five reviews in the Western Bay of Plenty Playcentre Association.

The Review Findings

Children benefit from respectful, responsive interactions with adults. Affirming, collaborative relationships among parents are reflected in children’s sharing and caring for each other. Older children take pride in helping infants and toddlers. Children demonstrate a strong sense of belonging at the playcentre and are confident about taking supervised risks. Children from different backgrounds are welcome and included in the playcentre culture. Parents as first teachers know children and families well.

Infants and toddlers are deliberately included in the programme. They have opportunities to explore and to develop skills and confidence as capable learners. Playcentre members have plans to develop a designated safe-play area for children under two. Parents are well supported in their care of new-born babies.

The programme is continually based on children’s emerging interests and strengths which are extended through increasingly complex play opportunities. Literacy, mathematics and science are naturally integrated into discussions and areas of play. Te reo and tikanga Māori are increasingly evident in conversations and displays. There is a focus on ensuring that older children are engaged and challenged. End-of-session evaluations provide a basis for continuing to extend children’s emerging interests.

Both indoor and outdoor learning environments are spacious and attractively presented. A wide range of well-considered resources is easily accessed by children. Children’s learning is increasingly visible on wall displays. The environment is organised to promote creative expression, physical challenge and social dramatic play.

Assessment has been an area of continuing development and progress. Good models of assessment practice include succinct, pertinent learning stories which demonstrate progress over time. Multiple adult voices are evident. Children enjoy revisiting their learning by sharing their attractive portfolios with parents and friends.

Parents work collaboratively to lead and manage the centre. They bring a range of skills and experiences to their roles and responsibilities and these also enhance children’s learning. New parents are made welcome and included in the life of the centre. Members have developed an annual plan to guide centre operations. Spontaneous self review results in positive change.

Key Next Steps

Playcentre members and ERO agree that key next steps are to:

• include parents/whānau and child’s voices in assessment and planning
• further develop the centre-wide integrated use of te reo Māori
• develop children’s knowledge of local Māori history and traditions
• include planned self review of the programme and interactions in the annual planning process.

Management Assurance on Legal Requirements

Before the review, the staff and management of Greenpark Playcentre 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 Greenpark Playcentre will be in three years.

Dale Bailey

Deputy Chief Review Officer Northern

29 April 2015

2 Information about the Early Childhood Service

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.