Greytown Kindergarten

Education institution number:
5314
Service type:
Free Kindergarten
Definition:
Not Applicable
Total roll:
28
Telephone:
Address:

16 Mc Master Street, Greytown

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Greytown Kindergarten - 07/05/2018

1 Evaluation of Greytown Kindergarten

How well placed is Greytown Kindergarten 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

Greytown Kindergarten is in the South Wairarapa. It opens 49 weeks a year, Monday to Friday from 8:30am until 2:30pm. Full day places are available for children aged from two to five years. The philosophy statement places respectful partnerships at its heart.

Since the July 2013 ERO report, there have been several changes in the teaching team. A new head teacher was appointed in term 4, 2106.

Greytown is one of 85 kindergartens and three home-based education and care networks governed and managed by He Whānau Manaaki o Tararua Free Kindergarten Association Incorporated (the association). The board and managers provide governance for the organisation. Senior teachers have delegated kindergartens. Their role is to provide regular support, including a range of professional learning and development opportunities for teachers.

This review was part of a cluster of three reviews in the He Whānau Manaaki o Tararua Kindergarten Association.

The Review Findings

Partnerships for learning are evident. Teachers and families have developed a new philosophy which is becoming established in the kindergarten. Parents know they have a place here. Their aspirations for their children are reflected in kindergarten practices.

The place-based curriculum successfully fosters children's understanding of the local community and their place within it. A 'forest programme' is well embedded and is helping children to learn about sustainable practices. Healthy eating is promoted as children grow, harvest and prepare food from their kitchen garden.

Te ao Māori is evident in most aspects of the programme. Concepts of manaakitanga and whanaungatanga contribute to children's growing awareness of the needs of others. Whānau Māori help to foster the kindergarten's long established relationship with Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa and Papawai Marae.

Assessment, planning and evaluation practices continue to evolve. This is an ongoing focus for teachers. They recognise that a key next step is to continue to strengthen this area of the curriculum, particularly in relation to evaluation and planning for individual children's learning. ERO's evaluation confirms this.

Inclusive practices are evident. Children's learning stories are beginning to more deliberately reflect their language, culture and identities. Teachers continue to grow their knowledge and understanding of Pacific cultures. Teachers work collaboratively with external agencies and families to support children with additional learning needs.

New children and parents are warmly welcomed into the kindergarten community. A range of useful strategies effectively supports children and families as they prepare for their move to school.

Teachers work well together. There is a collaborative approach to on-going improvement. The new team is working collectively, drawing on all teachers' strengths and experiences to ensure best outcomes for children and enhancing the growth and development of teachers' practice.

Effective internal evaluation practice continues to develop. Recent changes to the process have contributed to improved outcomes for children. Leaders recognise that continuing to strengthen teachers' capability in evaluation should remain an ongoing focus.

The association is focused on improving learning outcomes for children. A well-developed range of initiatives supports consistent curriculum implementation and on-going strengthening of teaching and learning. ERO's external evaluation agrees with the findings of the association's own internal evaluation and the next steps identified for this kindergarten.

Key Next Steps

Association leaders identify and ERO's evaluation confirms that the next step for teachers is to continue to strengthen their evaluation capability in relation to assessment, planning and evaluation of children's learning and in measuring the effectiveness of kindergarten programmes.

Management Assurance on Legal Requirements

Before the review, the staff and management of Greytown 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 Greytown Kindergarten will be in three years.

Patricia Davey
Deputy Chief Review Officer Central (Acting)

Te Tai Pokapū - Central Region

7 May 2018 

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

Greytown

Ministry of Education profile number

5314

Licence type

Free Kindergarten

Licensed under

Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008

Number licensed for

32 children, aged over two

Service roll

46

Gender composition

Boys 30, Girls 16

Ethnic composition

Māori
Pākehā
Pacific

  4
40
  2

Percentage of qualified teachers

0-49%       50-79%       80%+

Based on funding rates

80% +

Reported ratios of staff to children

Over 2

1:10

Meets minimum requirements

Review team on site

February 2018

Date of this report

7 May 2018

Most recent ERO report(s)

Education Review

July 2013

Education Review

April 2010

Education Review

January 2007

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.

Greytown Kindergarten - 23/07/2013

1 Evaluation of Greytown Kindergarten

How well placed is Greytown Kindergarten 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

Greytown Kindergarten is located in Greytown, South Wairarapa and caters for children aged from two to five years. It is an all day centre and licensed for 30 children. At the time of this review 55 children, including five Māori, were enrolled.

The Rimutaka Kindergarten Association effectively governs the kindergarten, and provides senior teacher support. The association is committed to maintaining the ratio of 100% qualified teachers. Well-developed policy guidelines clearly outline association expectations for developing the programme and managing day-to-day operations.

The teaching team comprises a head teacher and three fully qualified teachers.

The philosophy emphasises the importance of respectfully working in partnership with families and whānau to enhance children's learning.

The kindergarten has a positive reporting history with ERO. Areas for improvement from the April 2010 ERO report have been considered thoughtfully and responded to effectively.

This review was part of a cluster of eleven kindergarten reviews in the Rimutaka Kindergarten Association.

The Review Findings

A shared philosophy guides centre-wide direction, implementation of the programme and is highly evident in teaching practice. Partnerships with parents, whānau and aiga are strong, warm and respectful. Their opinions and aspirations are valued, actively sought and used as a basis for future decisions.

Peaceful, cooperative play is a feature. Respectful and sensitive interactions between teachers and children are evident. Consistent positive guidance from adults results in a calm environment. There is a welcoming atmosphere where high expectations for learning and behaviour are well understood.

High quality teaching challenges and extends children’s learning. Effective strategies evident include:

  • valuing the importance of relationships as an integral part of successful teaching and learning

  • fostering independent learning

  • providing children with opportunities to self-select interesting activities

  • encouraging in-depth problem solving

  • authentically empowering children to be part of their own learning.

A carefully considered and well resourced setting contributes significantly to children’s sense of belonging. Children are confident to explore and investigate their learning environment.

Children are regarded as competent and encouraged to take leadership roles. Older children are helpful and caring towards younger children as tuakana teina and teachers enjoy learning alongside the children.

Staff recognise and strongly celebrate cultural diversity. The programme clearly reflects parents’ aspirations for their children. Bicultural perspectives are valued and local iwi provide extensive advice and guidance. Participation in professional development about cultural standards guides teachers’ implementation of highly effective practice to reflect te ao Māori. Teachers support Māori children within a learning environment and meaningful experiences that celebrate their language, culture and identity. Te reo Māori is naturally interwoven into conversations with children.

Teachers clearly recognise the value of providing an inclusive education. Those children identified as requiring extra support are carefully monitored. Observations are analysed and form the basis of individual behaviour plans which are developed collaboratively with parents and whānau to maximise children’s learning potential.

Greytown Kindergarten is very well placed to sustain and improve its performance. Factors promoting capacity-building are:

  • leadership that is strongly collaborative and improvement focused

  • a clear vision for the kindergarten that is well communicated

  • a team culture, based on mutual respect and strengths, which successfully fosters children’s learning. Purposeful learning conversations among teachers are a feature

  • ongoing use of evaluation and rigorous self review to sustain and improve outcomes for children

  • the provision of an innovative, culturally responsive curriculum which gives appropriate emphasis to social skills, literacy and mathematics development.

Senior teachers provide well-targeted, ongoing support and guidance for staff. They promote regular professional development opportunities and useful systems that are focused on positive outcomes for children. Planned development of the performance appraisal processes has the potential to further promote teacher development.

Children’s emotional and physical wellbeing is promoted through sound health and safety practices.

Key Next Steps

The teaching team knows that its priority is to enhance the existing rigorous self review process by continuing to build their evaluative capacity.

Management Assurance on Legal Requirements

Before the review, the staff and management of Greytown 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 Greytown Kindergarten will be in four years.

Joyce Gebbie

National Manager Review Services Central Region (Acting)

23 July 2013

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

Greytown, Wairarapa

Ministry of Education profile number

5314

Licence type

Free Kindergarten

Licensed under

Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008

Number licensed for

30 children aged over 2

Service roll

55

Gender composition

Boys 28, Girls 27

Ethnic composition

Māori

NZ European/Pākehā

Samoan

5

49

1

Percentage of qualified teachers

0-49% 50-79% 80%

Based on funding rates

80%

Reported ratios of staff to children

Under 2

N/A

Choose an item.

 

Over 2

1:10

Meets minimum requirements

Review team on site

June 2013

Date of this report

23 July 2013

Most recent ERO report(s)

Education Review

April 2010

 

Education Review

January 2007

 

Supplementary Review

June 2003

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.