Li'l Champs Educare

Education institution number:
45852
Service type:
Education and Care Service
Definition:
Not Applicable
Total roll:
39
Telephone:
Address:

57 Terry Street, Blockhouse Bay, Auckland

View on map

Li'l Champs Educare

ERO’s Akanuku | Assurance Review reports provide information about whether a service meets and maintains regulatory standards. Further information about Akanuku | Assurance Reviews is included at the end of this report. 

ERO’s Judgement 

Regulatory standards 

ERO’s judgement 

Curriculum ​Meeting​
Premises and facilities ​Meeting​
Health and safety ​Meeting​
Governance, management and administration ​Meeting​

​At the time of the review, ERO found the service was taking reasonable steps to meet regulatory standards.​

Background 

Li’l Champs Educare is a privately owned and operated service. A qualified centre manager leads a team of four qualified teachers and four staff. The majority of children attending are of Indian heritage, and there is a small number of tamariki Māori and children with Pacific heritages. 

Summary of Review Findings 

The service’s curriculum is consistent with Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum. Teachers engage in meaningful, positive interactions to nurture reciprocal relationships. They provide a language-rich environment to support children’s learning. Teachers providing education and care demonstrate an understanding of children’s learning and development, and knowledge of relevant theories and practice in early childhood education. 

The design and layout of the premises support the provision of different types of indoor and outdoor experiences. A sufficient quantity and variety of furniture, equipment, and materials are provided that are appropriate for the learning and abilities of the children attending.  

Key Next Steps 

Next steps include: 

  • increasing the opportunities children have to hear and speak te reo Māori in meaningful learning contexts 
  • taking a more systematic approach to seeking and responding to parent/whānau aspirations for their child’s learning. 

Action for Compliance 

During the review, the service provided ERO with evidence that shows it has addressed the following non-compliance. 

  • Having a detailed record of each component of the safety check process, including the date of the risk assessment required to be completed after all relevant information is obtained (GMA7A). 

Next ERO Review  

​The next ERO review is likely to be an Akarangi | Quality Evaluation. 

​Patricia Davey​
​Director of Early Childhood Education (ECE)​

​13 December 2023​

Information About the Service 

Early Childhood Service Name ​Li'l Champs Educare
Profile Number45852
LocationBlockhouse Bay, Auckland
Service type ​Education and care service​
Number licensed for 49 children, including up to 15 aged under 2 
Percentage of qualified teachers  ​80-99%​
Service roll 55 
Review team on site November 2023  
Date of this report ​13 December 2023​
Most recent ERO report(s)Akanuku | Assurance Review​, ​March 2021​; Education Review, May 2017 

General Information about Assurance Reviews  

All services are licensed under the Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008. The legal requirements for early childhood services also include the Licensing Criteria for Education and Care Services 2008. 

Services must meet the standards in the regulations and the requirements of the licensing criteria to gain and maintain a license to operate.  

ERO undertakes an Akanuku | Assurance Review process in any centre-based service: 

  • having its first ERO review – including if it is part of a governing organisation 
  • previously identified as ‘not well placed’ or ‘requiring further development’ 
  • that has moved from a provisional to a full licence 
  • that have been re-licenced due to a change of ownership 
  • where an Akanuku | Assurance Review process is determined to be appropriate. 

Management Assurance on Legal Requirements 

All early childhood services are required to promote children’s health and safety and to regularly review their compliance with legal requirements. Before the review, the staff and management of a service 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. 

As part of an Akanuku | Assurance Review ERO assesses whether the regulatory standards are being met. In particular, ERO looks at a 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; safety checking; teacher certification; ratios) 
  • relevant evacuation procedures and practices. 

As part of an Akanuku | Assurance Review ERO also gathers and records evidence through: 

  • discussions with those involved in the service 
  • consideration of relevant documentation, including the implementation of health and safety systems 
  • observations of the environment/premises, curriculum implementation and teaching practice.  

Li'l Champs Educare

ERO’s Akanuku | Assurance Review reports provide information about whether a service meets and maintains regulatory standards.

ERO’s Judgement

Regulatory standards

ERO’s judgement

CurriculumMeeting
Premises and facilitiesMeeting
Health and safetyNot meeting
Governance, management and administrationNot meeting

At the time of the review, ERO identified areas of non-compliance with regulatory standards that are an unacceptable risk to children.

Background

Li’l Champs Educare is owned and governed by Parkview Childcare Centre Ltd. Staff include a centre manager supported by a team of four registered and four unregistered teachers, an administrator and cook. The centre community is ethnically diverse, and many children attending are from the local area.

Summary of Review Findings

Adults providing education and care engage in meaningful, positive interactions to enhance children’s learning and nurture reciprocal relationships. The service curriculum is inclusive and responsive to children as confident and competent learners. Children’s preferences are respected, and they are involved in decisions about their learning experiences.

The design and layout of the premises support the provision of different types of indoor and outdoor experiences and include quiet space, and areas for physically active play. Consistent implementation of governance and management systems and health and safety practices is required to meet all aspects of regulatory compliance.

Actions for Compliance

ERO found areas of non-compliance in the service relating to:

  • ensuring all children’s workers who have access to children are safety checked in accordance with the Children’s Act 2014
  • evidence of parental permission and approval of adult:child ratios for excursions
  • evidence that parents are being notified or informed when a child becomes ill
  • evidence of parental acknowledgement of the administration of medicine.

Licensing Criteria for Early Childhood Education and Care Centres 2008, GMA7A, HS17, HS27, HS28.

Since the onsite visit the service has provided ERO with evidence that shows it has addressed the following non-compliances:

  • development of suitable human resource management policies (GMA7)
  • ensuring heavy furniture, fixtures and equipment that could fall, topple and cause serious injury or damage are secured (HS6)
  • documenting that sleeping children are monitored for warmth, breathing and general wellbeing at least every 5 to 10 minutes (HS9).

Recommendation to Ministry of Education

ERO recommends that the Ministry reassess the licence issued to this service provider. ERO will not undertake a further review of this service until the Ministry of Education is satisfied that the service meets regulatory standards.

Next ERO Review

The next ERO review will be in consultation with the Ministry of Education.

Steve Tanner
Director Review and Improvement Services (Northern)
Northern Region | Te Tai Raki

10 March 2021 

Information About the Service

Early Childhood Service NameLi'l Champs Educare
Profile Number45852
LocationBlockhouse Bay, Auckland
Service typeEducation and care service
Number licensed for49 children, including up to 12 aged under 2.
Percentage of qualified teachers80%+
Service roll52
Ethnic compositionMāori 3
NZ European/Pākehā 12
Indian  16
Filipino  6
Pacific   6
other ethnic groups 9
Review team on siteJanuary 2021
Date of this report10 March 2021
Most recent ERO report(s)Education Review, May 2017
Education Review, March 2014

General Information about Assurance Reviews

All services are licensed under the Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008. The legal requirements for early childhood services also include the Licensing Criteria for Education and Care Services 2008.

Services must meet the standards in the regulations and the requirements of the licensing criteria to gain and maintain a licence to operate.

ERO undertakes an Akanuku | Assurance Review process in any centre-based service:

  • having its first ERO review – including if it is part of a governing organisation
  • previously identified as ‘not well placed’ or ‘requiring further development’
  • that has moved from a provisional to a full licence
  • that have been re-licenced due to a change of ownership
  • where an Akanuku | Assurance Review process is determined to be appropriate.

Management Assurance on Legal Requirements

All early childhood services are required to promote children’s health and safety and to regularly review their compliance with legal requirements. Before the review, the staff and management of a service 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.

As part of an Akanuku | Assurance Review ERO assesses whether the regulated standards are being met. In particular, ERO looks at a 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 certification; ratios)
  • evacuation procedures and practices for fire and earthquake.

As part of an Akanuku | Assurance Review ERO also gathers and records evidence through:

  • discussions with those involved in the service
  • consideration of relevant documentation, including the implementation of health and safety systems
  • observations of the environment/premises, curriculum implementation and teaching practice.

Li'l Champs Educare - 04/05/2017

1 Evaluation of Li'l Champs Educare

How well placed is Li'l Champs Educare 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

Li'l Champs Educare is in Blockhouse Bay and was opened in 2012 in a renovated house. Since then, there has been a change of ownership and most staff have continued at the centre. The centre has a separate play area and sleeping room for children under two.

Li'l Champs Educare provides either all day education and care or sessions, for 49 children including 15 up to two years of age. Children benefit from high teacher:child ratios.

At the heart of the centre’s philosophy is the goal of children experiencing learning, love and laughter. This philosophy emphasises children enjoying their learning as they develop skills and relationships.

The centre has six qualified teachers, four of whom are provisionally registered. The centre manager/supervisor, is a fully qualified and experienced teacher. Teachers have participated in professional development in planning, learning stories and self review.

ERO's 2014 review resulted in the centre accessing Ministry of Education professional learning support. A development plan addressed key issues and helped to progress centre operations and teacher practices. Since then, teachers have built on and sustained some good practices in their positive approach to children's learning.

The Review Findings

The programme for children is based on Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum. The centre's philosophy is enacted well. Learning through play is prioritised and children’s choices are respected.

The programme is responsive to children's individual interests and offers a range of engaging activities. Children are viewed as capable and confident learners. They are encouraged to develop independence and to learn through ako (reciprocal learning) and tuakana/teina (younger and older children learning from each other). Children enjoy a varied programme which includes excursions into the community.

Children demonstrate a strong sense of belonging and are very settled in the centre. Children are social, talkative and show their enjoyment and persistence in play. They experience learning and care in a positive and supportive environment. Children up to the age of two experience flexible, sensitive and responsive care routines.

Portfolios of learning are attractive and provide whānau with regular and valuable information about their child's learning.

The centre’s learning environments are attractive. Providing further opportunities for wonder, curiosity and creativity in the programme would increase children's learning.

Children benefit from staff who model te reo Māori and waiata. Staff have identified the further learning and incorporating of te reo me ōna tikanga in the daily programme as a professional goal. Pacific children are respected and included in the centre.

Teachers are welcoming, friendly and approachable. They reflect the children’s cultural backgrounds and promote children's wellbeing and inclusion. Parents appreciate support from teachers in an inclusive, family friendly environment.

Professional development has helped teachers establish operating processes and systems and effective practices that impact positively on children's learning. Teachers are encouraged to take on responsibility and to develop leadership, which will promote sustainable practices.

The centre has responded well to the areas for review and development identified in ERO's 2014 report. The centre's policy framework is being updated to align with the Vulnerable Children's Act and the new Health and Safety legislation. Performance management systems are established but require updating to align with the current Practising Teachers' Criteria.

Key Next Steps

Teachers agree next steps to improve centre practices include:

  • evaluating key strategic goals using quality indicators in internal evaluation to improve outcomes for children
  • ensuring the provision of learning through play continues to promote children’s exploration, creativity and oral language
  • promoting further opportunities for te reo me ōna tikanga Māori in the programme
  • strengthening performance management processes to guide teachers to meet all the Practising Teachers' Criteria
  • ensuring policies and procedures are rationalised and clearly aligned with licensing criteria changes. 

Management Assurance on Legal Requirements

Before the review, the staff and management of Li'l Champs Educare 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.

ERO discussed the usefulness of aquiring an assurance from the neighbouring Auckland City Council property regarding the safety of an overhanging tree.

Next ERO Review

When is ERO likely to review the service again?

The next ERO review of Li'l Champs Educare will be in three years. 

Graham Randell
Deputy Chief Review Officer Northern

4 May 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 

LocationBlockhouse Bay, Auckland
Ministry of Education profile number45852
Licence typeEducation & Care Service
Licensed underEducation (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008
Number licensed for64 children, including up to 15 aged under 2
Service roll69
Gender compositionGirls       41 
Boys      28
Ethnic compositionMāori
Pākehā
Indian  
Chinese 
Tongan
other Pacific
other
  5
11
31
  7
  4
  8
  3

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 21:8Better than minimum requirements
Review team on siteMarch 2017
Date of this report4 May 2017

Most recent ERO report(s)

 

Education ReviewMarch 2014

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.