183 Browns Road, Manurewa, Auckland
View on mapNot well placed | Requires further development | Well placed | Very well placed |
ERO's findings that support this overall judgement are summarised below.
Homai Kindergarten is a well-established service that is licensed for 40 children over two years of age. Half of the children enrolled are Māori. Another thirty percent of children have Tongan, Samoan, Niuean or Cook Island Māori backgrounds. The kindergarten offers three and six hour sessions in order to meet the needs of the community. The philosophy encourages the involvement of parents and whānau and is based on supporting children to become independent and confident learners.
Homai Kindergarten is part of the Counties Manukau Kindergarten Association and operates within the policies and management framework of this organisation. A professional practice manager (PPM) visits and provides leadership and curriculum support for teachers. The head teacher has responsibility for daily management of the kindergarten. All teachers are qualified and most have long associations with the kindergarten and community.
In 2013 ERO noted the positive relationships and interactions between adults and children. It commented on the well-resourced environment that encouraged children to work independently. These continue to be positive aspects of the programme. ERO recommended that teachers improve programme planning and assessment systems and formalise internal evaluation processes. The teaching team continue to develop these areas.
This review was part of a cluster of four kindergarten reviews in the Counties Manukau Kindergarten Association.
Children are enthusiastic learners who show a sense of belonging in this kindergarten. They enjoy positive and respectful relationships with teachers and each other. Children play cooperatively in small groups and spend time in focused activities of their choice. They have many opportunities to challenge their physical skills in the very well-resourced outdoor area.
Teachers’ interactions with children are warm and caring. Their conversations acknowledge children’s interests and show that teachers know children and their families well. Teachers work alongside children and support their exploration. They have significantly improved the integration of te reo Māori into the programme. Teachers also include the languages of children with Pacific backgrounds into kindergarten routines.
Teachers actively foster partnerships with parents through regular informal discussions, meetings and wall displays. Families make good use of an interactive portal that enables them to read and comment on their child’s learning records online. Parents and whānau who were interviewed by ERO are enthusiastic about the kindergarten as a well-resourced learning environment. They appreciate teachers’ contributions in valuing and celebrating their children’s languages and culture.
Teachers record children’s learning, strengths and interests in individual portfolios. They work together to create a collaborative learning record that shows what the whole team knows about each child. Teachers write about children's learning dispositions very well. They are currently involved in professional development that could contribute to a better team understanding of programme planning and assessment systems. Other areas where teachers could further improve current practice include:
Teachers are reflective and work together well. They appreciate the different skills and knowledge they each bring to the team. Teachers document internal evaluation processes that include meaningful consultation with families. Performance management systems include appropriate goals to improve teacher practice.
The systems and personnel in place for supporting and monitoring centre operations contribute to the management of the service. Curriculum and operational leadership is being supported through team professional development and discussions with the PPM.
The Counties Manukau Kindergarten Association continues to support the kindergartens well. Leaders establish overarching long-term goals that enable teachers to align their centre development with the strategic direction of the Association. They are responsive to changing community needs and have prepared teachers well to face the challenges of increased competition, the intake of two year olds and providing variable session hours. Leaders continue to adapt personnel systems to meet legislative changes, including a revised appraisal process to help teachers meet certification expectations.
The teachers and the PPM agree that key next steps should include:
Before the review, the staff and management of Homai 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:
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:
All early childhood services are required to promote children's health and safety and to regularly review their compliance with legal requirements.
The next ERO review of Homai Kindergarten will be in three years.
Graham Randell
Deputy Chief Review Officer Northern
13 July 2016
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.
| Location | Manurewa, Auckland | ||
| Ministry of Education profile number | 5122 | ||
| Licence type | Free Kindergarten | ||
| Licensed under | Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008 | ||
| Number licensed for | 40 children, including up to 0 aged under 2 | ||
| Service roll | 52 | ||
| Gender composition | Girls 29 Boys 23 | ||
| Ethnic composition | Māori Pākehā Tongan Samoan Indian Cook Island Māori Niue other | 26 3 7 5 3 2 2 4 | |
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 | June 2016 | ||
| Date of this report | 13 July 2016 | ||
Most recent ERO report(s)
| Education Review | May 2013 | |
| Education Review | April 2010 | ||
| Education Review | April 2007 | ||
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.
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:
ERO has developed criteria for each category. These are available on ERO’s website.
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.
Homai Kindergarten is well placed to promote positive outcomes for children.
Homai Kindergarten is a well established service that caters for a multicultural community in Manurewa, South Auckland. The kindergarten provides education and care for children over two years old. In June 2012 the service changed from providing three hour sessions to the kindergarten day model which matches school hours. The kindergarten is part of the Counties Manukau Kindergarten Association and operates within the policies and management framework of this organisation. A professional practice manager (PPM) visits and provides management and curriculum support for teachers.
Most of the teachers have had many years in the kindergarten and have developed trusting relationships with the community. The fourth teacher, appointed as a result of the change to the day, is bringing fresh approaches to the programme delivery. Teachers are taking part in professional development together, which is helping them to become a cohesive team.
In 2010 ERO affirmed many positive practices in the kindergarten and reported that teachers were continuing to refine their planning and assessment practices. The changes related to the structure of the day have provided some challenges for teachers, and they continue to work on programme management strategies that will guide them to extend children's learning.
Children are happy and confident in the kindergarten. They have trusting relationships with teachers and work well alongside their peers. Children settle quickly when arriving at kindergarten and know about choosing resources and working independently. They are consistently engaged in activities that interest them and respond positively to adult support for their play. Children are learning to take turns and to work cooperatively with others. They benefit from the culturally inclusive environment that fosters their sense of belonging and wellbeing.
Teachers support children to engage in the programme and explore resources. They provide an inviting, richly resourced environment. Materials are attractively presented and easily accessible to children. Teachers work alongside children, modelling the use of equipment, affirming efforts and asking questions to prompt interests. Teachers know children well and often make links with a child’s family or home experiences. They encourage children to take responsibility for their own learning.
Teachers develop programmes that reflect children's interests. They informally consider emerging topics and identify the key strengths and interests of a group of children each fortnight. Teachers use the information they share to select the resources and activities they provide. They should take care not to rely too heavily on the learning environment to drive the programme. Children would benefit from teachers focusing more on ways to challenge children's thinking and add complexity to their play.
Families appreciate the experiences that their children enjoy. Many families have been using the kindergarten for several years. They value the stability of the teaching team, the rich environment and the sense of belonging for children from diverse cultures. Parents feel included in their children’s learning through their daily conversations with teachers, displays, topic folders and children's assessment portfolios. These portfolios enable families to revisit learning with their children and make connections with home experiences. Teachers recognise that they can improve the quality of portfolios by focusing learning stories more on experiences that challenge children.
A new PPM for the kindergarten is providing the impetus for strengthening leadership and operational systems. The PPM is committed to helping the head teacher and the teaching team to define leadership tasks, identify where responsibilities can be shared and evaluate the efficiency of centre management. The involvement of the head teacher and one of his team in a mentoring course is a positive step towards more effective leadership.
The teachers, the PPM and ERO agree that the key next steps for kindergarten development should include:
Teachers have identified the need to continue developing their understanding and knowledge of te reo and tikanga Māori, in order to support the success of Māori children. They are enrolled in a professional development course to facilitate this learning. Teachers also show a commitment to further support all children identified by the government as priority learners, including Pacific Island children and those with special needs.
Before the review, the staff and management of Homai 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:
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:
All early childhood services are required to promote children's health and safety and to regularly review their compliance with legal requirements.Click here to enter text.
ERO is likely to carry out the next review in three years.
Dale Bailey
National Manager Review Services
Northern Region
20 May 2013
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Location |
Manurewa, Auckland |
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Ministry of Education profile number |
5122 |
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Licence type |
All Day Free Kindergarten |
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Licensed under |
Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008 |
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Number licensed for |
40 children, including up to 0 aged under 2 |
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Service roll |
63 |
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Gender composition |
Boys 33 Girls 30 |
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Ethnic composition |
Māori NZ European/Pākehā Tonga Samoan Asian Cook Island Māori Fijian Niue Middle Eastern Indian |
19 7 11 10 6 3 2 2 2 1 |
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Percentage of qualified teachers |
80% |
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Reported ratios of staff to children |
Under 2 |
Not applicable |
Choose an item. |
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Over 2 |
1:10 |
Meets minimum requirements |
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Review team on site |
March 2013 |
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Date of this report |
20 May 2013 |
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Most recent ERO report(s) |
Education Review Education Review Accountability Review |
April 2010 April 2007 April 2000 |
The Education Review Office (ERO) is the New Zealand government department that reviews schools and early childhood services throughout New Zealand.
ERO's education reviews in early childhood services focus on the factors that contribute to positive learning outcomes for children. ERO evaluates how well placed the service is to make and sustain improvements for the benefit of all children at the service. To reach these findings ERO considers:
Within these areas ERO considers the effectiveness of self review and partnerships with parents and whānau.
ERO reviews do not cover every aspect of service performance and each ERO report may cover different issues. The aim is to provide information on aspects that are central to positive outcomes for children and useful to the service.