Kindercare Learning Centres - Bishopdale

Education institution number:
45054
Service type:
Education and Care Service
Definition:
Not Applicable
Total roll:
91
Telephone:
Address:

345 Sawyers Arms Road, Bishopdale, Christchurch

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Kindercare Learning Centres - Sawyers Arms (213) - 12/06/2017

Here is the latest report for the Governing Organisation that this service is part of.

 

1 Evaluation of Kindercare Learning Centres - Sawyers Arms (213)

How well placed is Kindercare Learning Centres - Sawyers Arms (213) to promote positive learning outcomes for children?

Not well placed

Requires further development

Well placed

Very well placed

Kindercare Learning Centre Sawyers Arms (213) is well placed to promote positive learning outcomes for children.

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

Background

Kindercare Learning Centre Sawyers Arms (213) is located in Harewood and is one of 12 early childhood education and care centres in Christchurch, owned and administered by Kindercare Learning Centres Ltd. The centre operates under the Kindercare philosophy, and management and accountability systems. An area manager works in partnership with the centre manager to guide the effective operation of each centre.

The centre caters for the education and care of children from birth to school age in four separate rooms. These rooms cater to the age, abilities and learning needs of each child. Each room has a spacious outside area that provides a range of activities and shared play spaces for children.

Since the last ERO review in September 2014, there have been a number of changes to staffing and leadership with the appointment of a new centre manager in 2016. Most teachers are qualified and registered. They are supported by a consistent group of relieving, mostly untrained, staff. An on-site cook provides nutritious vegetarian meals and snacks for children.

During this time of change, some recent progress has been made to address the recommendations from the last ERO report. The centre manager follows the Kindercare process for annual planning and self review. A curriculum leadership role has been created to help staff develop knowledge and use of new learning, assessment and evaluation processes. The centre manager has begun to implement a planned approach to ways of increasing understandings of bicultural perspectives and practices.

This review was part of a cluster of 12 Kindercare Learning Services reviewed in the Christchurch area in Term 1 2017. 

The Review Findings

Kindercare values of "love, safe, learning" are evident in centre practices and documentation. Leaders and staff foster warm, reciprocal relationships with children and families to help promote a good sense of belonging. Children play well with and alongside one another.

Children across the centre experience an inclusive environment. They have access to a wide range of learning activities that capture their curiosity and involvement in creative and imaginative play and exploration. Children with additional learning needs are well supported by leaders and staff who respond respectfully to them. Children have some opportunity to experience te reo and tikanga Māori.

Children under two years of age experience routines that are conducted in respectful ways and are aligned to parent preferences. They also experience a caring and calm environment and develop strong one-to-one relationships with teachers and staff, supported by the room's philosophy and its primary care system.

Parents have a range of ways to communicate with teachers and leaders about their child's learning. They receive good information and support with children who are transitioning into, within and beyond the centre. The centre has developed good links and regular interaction with the local primary school to help with the smooth transition process for children moving to school.

Teachers and staff build familiar relationships with children and use practices to engage children in a wide range of activities that allow them to explore, discover and follow their interests. Teachers are provided with targeted professional development to support teaching and play-based learning practices. The positive impact of professional development is helping to improve teacher capability.

Centre leaders have prioritised building relationships with teachers, parents, whānau and children. They seek regular parent input and respond, in a timely and appropriate manner. Centre leaders have identified the need for a new leadership structure across the centre and are in the process of appointing new team leaders for each room.

Service and centre leaders provide clear expectations and regular support and mentoring to help staff implement Kindercare management, curriculum, and health and safety systems. Leadership potential from within the centre is recognised and well supported by service managers through the induction processes. Leaders and teachers are at the early stages of working together to understand and make good use of self-review processes to extend on teaching practices and positive learning outcomes for children.

Key Next Steps

Centre leaders have identified, and ERO’s evaluation has confirmed, that the key next steps are to:

  • increase bicultural awareness, te reo and tikanga Māori in the curriculum and routines
  • develop teacher capability to lead self review
  • implement and embed new processes for planning and assessment
  • continue to build leadership among the newly established leadership team. 

ERO has identified that the key next steps for Kindercare Learning Centres Ltd are to:

  • give greater prominence to bicultural perspectives in key documentation
  • further develop strategic coverage of priorities and annual action planning and evaluation processes in centres
  • consider ways to strengthen partnerships in learning with schools
  • formalise and document the procedure for appraisal and attestation in the Christchurch area
  • evaluate how well current learning record practices allow children to revisit their own learning.

Management Assurance on Legal Requirements

Before the review, the staff and management of Kindercare Learning Centres - Sawyers Arms (213) 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 Kindercare Learning Centres - Sawyers Arms (213) will be in three years.

Dr Lesley Patterson

Deputy Chief Review Officer Southern/Te Waipounamu

12 June 2017 

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 

LocationChristchurch
Ministry of Education profile number45054
Licence typeEducation & Care Service
Licensed underEducation (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008
Number licensed for80 children, including up to 25 aged under two
Service roll79
Gender compositionBoys 42; Girls 37
Ethnic composition

Māori

Pacific

Pākehā

Other ethnicities

7

6

44

22

Percentage of qualified teachers

0-49% 50-79% 80%+

Based on funding rates

80% +
Reported ratios of staff to childrenUnder 21:4Better than minimum requirements
Over 21:7Better than minimum requirements
Review team on siteFebruary 2017
Date of this report12 June 2017

Most recent ERO reports

 

Education ReviewSeptember 2014
Education ReviewApril 2011

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.

Kindercare Learning Centres (213 P) - 09/09/2014

1 Evaluation of Kindercare Learning Centres (213P)

How well placed is Kindercare Learning Centres (213P) to promote positive learning outcomes for children?

Not well placed

Requires further development

Well placed

Very well placed

Kindercare Learning Centre (213) is well placed to promote positive learning outcomes for children.

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

Background

Kindercare Learning Centres (213P) is located in Harewood. It is one of 11 early childhood education and care centres, in Christchurch, owned and administered by the Kindercare Learning Centres Ltd. The service owners have a strong philosophy, useful policies and procedures and a framework for monitoring health and safety. An area manager works in partnership with the centre director to support the effective operation of the centre.

Some of the areas for review and development identified in the 2011 ERO report have been successfully addressed including interactions, self review and some aspects of assessment and planning. The centre director has identified that aspects of long and short-term planning and evaluation could be further improved to build on the good practices evident during this review.

This review was part of a cluster of seven reviews in the Kindercare Learning Centres Service.

The Review Findings

ERO observed that children benefit from interactions with teachers that are sustained and meaningful. Teachers are friendly, caring and nurturing in the ways they work with children. They actively involve themselves in children’s play and extend their independence and learning. Teachers notice children and respond well to their individual interests, strengths and capabilities. They listen carefully and talk with children in ways that support their oral language development.

ERO observed children who were settled and well engaged in activities of interest for sustained periods of time. Teachers actively fostered positive and inclusive relationships with children and between children. Children shared ideas and played well alongside and with each other.

Children have easy access to a wide range of good quality learning experiences and resources to extend on their interests and learning. The learning environment is well organised and attractively presented to inspire children’s curiosity and participation in the programme. Children have many opportunities to use their senses, be creative and extend their physical skills.

Literacy and numeracy are well integrated across the programme in ways that are meaningful for children. Teachers skilfully engage children in story-telling, imaginary play, singing and waiata.

Teachers acknowledge and value children’s different cultures, languages and identities. Children have many opportunities to learn about New Zealand’s bicultural heritage in ways that are respectful of the Māori culture. Teachers are making increasing use of te reo and tikanga Māori in the programme. Children whose first language is not English are helped to extend their language and interactions with other children and adults. Children with special education needs are well supported and included in the programme.

Parents are well informed about their children’s participation and learning in the programme through attractive portfolios, journals and wall displays. Transition into and within the centre is effectively managed with a focus on the individual needs of children and families. Teachers have made purposeful links with local schools to support children when they go to school.

Centre leadership is professional and well informed. The centre director sets high expectations and focuses on developing a shared understanding of the service philosophy, priorities and best practice. Teachers communicate well and work effectively as a team. Teachers are supported to grow their professional practices and undertake professional development to help them better support the specific needs of diverse learners. Teachers with particular interests are given opportunities to extend their leadership skills and abilities.

Self review is effectively led, valued and used to make ongoing improvements to learning and teaching practices that benefit children. Self review is a shared process that involves all staff. Teachers effectively use reflection to improve learning and teaching practices. Changes made as a result of reviews are monitored and adjusted where appropriate.

Key Next Steps

The centre’s operation and curriculum are guided by the Kindercare Service’s long-term goals. Senior managers have recently extended this plan to identify what success looks like in meeting centre goals. They have identified that their next steps are to support each centre to:

  • develop long-term and annual planning so that it can prioritise how it will meet the Kindercare vision and goals
  • develop a planned approach to self review that aligns to centre priorities and the service’s goals.

ERO and centre leaders have identified steps to improve planning and assessment documentation in the centre. These include:

  • strengthening the next steps for children’s learning to show how teachers will add value to children’s learning
  • consistently identifying intentional teaching strategies in planning
  • strengthening the evaluation of planned programmes to include the impact that teaching strategies have on children’s learning
  • increasing parent and child views in assessment and planning.

The centre director has identified that leadership roles within the centre could be more defined and strengthened.

Management Assurance on Legal Requirements

Before the review, the staff and management of Kindercare Learning Centres (213P) 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 Kindercare Learning Centres (213P) will be in three years.

Graham Randell

National Manager Review Services Southern Region

9 September 2014

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

Christchurch

Ministry of Education profile number

45054

Licence type

Education & Care Service

Licensed under

Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008

Number licensed for

80 children, including up to 25 aged under two

Service roll

95

Gender composition

Boys 48;

Girls 47;

Ethnic composition

Māori

NZ European/Pākehā

Tongan and Samoan

Asian

Other ethnicities

11

65

2

10

7

Percentage of qualified teachers 0-49% 50-79% 80% Based on funding rates

80%

Reported ratios of staff to children

Under 2

1:4

Better than minimum requirements

 

Over 2

1:8

Better than minimum requirements

Review team on site

July 2014

Date of this report

9 September 2014

Most recent ERO report 

Education Review

April 2011

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.