Lynmore Playcentre

Education institution number:
40081
Service type:
Playcentre
Definition:
Not Applicable
Total roll:
24
Telephone:
Address:

3A Lynbert Road, Lynmore, Rotorua

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Lynmore Playcentre - 14/12/2016

1 Evaluation of Lynmore Playcentre

How well placed is Lynmore Playcentre 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

Lynmore Playcentre is located in Rotorua and caters for children up to six years of age. It is a parent led cooperative licensed for 30 children, including up to 20 children under the age of two years. At the time of this ERO review 36 children were enrolled, of whom one identifies as Māori. It currently provides sessions on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings for children, parents and whānau.

The centre currently operates under the umbrella of Rotorua Playcentre Association. Lynmore Playcentre is one of 14 playcentres in the Rotorua Playcentre Association. The association provides a policy framework for centre management and operations, as well as parent-education programmes and personnel to support centre members in their work with children.

The Rotorua Playcentre Association is experiencing a time of change as all playcentre associations throughout New Zealand merge with the New Zealand Playcentre Federation. This restructure will mean significant changes at the local association level.

Lynmore Playcentre has recently reviewed its philosophy statement. The philosophy promotes belonging together - whānau kotahi, playing together - tākaro tahi and growing together - tupu ngātahi. Parents and whānau celebrated the 50th anniversary of the playcentre in 2016.

The 2014 ERO review identified that the centre required further development in a number of areas. This 2016 review process has identified progress in these areas. These areas include strengthening self review to support better learning outcomes for children, stronger assessment of learning and new parent understanding of learning interactions.

The Review Findings

Lynmore Playcentre is now well placed to promote positive learning outcomes for children.

Children experience a family-oriented learning environment where they are empowered to learn alongside their parents, other adults, and younger and older peers. Parents' intimate knowledge of their children means that they accurately identify and respond to developmental and learning needs. Parents work collaboratively to plan a programme that contains an appropriate mix of adult-led and child-initiated activities.

Children benefit from a rich range of experiences in a well-prepared environment that provides both choice and challenge. They are well supported to develop their social, physical and cognitive skills in a range of relevant and meaningful contexts. ERO observed a range of effective teaching practices that support children's learning and exploration. These include modelling, open-ended questioning to promote thinking and problem-solving. Children have opportunities to take risks in a safe environment and be involved in sustained play.

The mixed-age setting ensures infants and toddlers have many opportunities to be extended in their learning and exploration by older siblings and peers while at the same time remaining safe and secure in the care of their parents.

Te reo Māori and tikanga Māori are included as a normal and natural part of the session. This is an area that leaders agree could be further strengthened. This development should more effectively enhance all children's understanding of Māori language and culture and strengthen Māori children's pride and identity.

Effective systems support parents to assess children's learning and development, and to plan how to extend and add complexity. More experienced members share their knowledge and expertise to build the capacity of others and to ensure good practice is sustained. A strong culture of learning and development means that nearly all parents are involved in the ongoing professional development provided by the Rotorua Playcentre Association.

A recent review of the playcentre philosophy has resulted in a deeper understanding of, and a greater commitment to the playcentre approach for many of the parents currently involved. There is a shared vision about outcomes for children and supporting families and whānau. A range of effective communication systems are used to ensure parents are informed and feel included. Experienced leaders share their knowledge, promote a collaborative approach and support others into taking on responsibilities and leadership tasks. This approach means that current strategic and annual goals are likely to be achieved and current good practice can be sustained into the future.

Recently strengthened systems and processes for internal evaluation promote ongoing and sustained improvement.

Key Next Steps

In order to sustain and improve the current positive environment for children's learning, parents should give consideration to:

  • proactively managing the transition from governance under the Rotorua Playcentre Association to the new national body

  • strengthening the use of te reo and tikanga Māori in the centre with a particular focus on developing a systematic approach to Te Arawatanga. 

Management Assurance on Legal Requirements

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

Lynda Pura-Watson

Deputy Chief Review Officer Waikato/Bay of Plenty

14 December 2016 

2 Information about the Early Childhood Service 

Location

Rotorua

Ministry of Education profile number

40081

Licence type

Playcentre

Licensed under

Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008

Number licensed for

30 children, including up to 20 aged under 2

Service roll

36

Gender composition

Boys 18 Girls 18

Ethnic composition

Māori

Pākehā

Other

1

33

2

Review team on site

October 2016

Date of this report

14 December 2016

Most recent ERO report(s)

Education Review

February 2015

Education Review

November 2011

Education Review

August 2008

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.

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.

Lynmore Playcentre - 13/02/2015

1 Evaluation of Lynmore Playcentre

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

Not well placed

Requires further development

Well placed

Very well placed

Lynmore Playcentre requires further development. The centre has worked hard to rebuild centre membership and develop strong management and administrative systems. It is now important that centre members improve their understanding of the learning and teaching aspects of the Playcentre philosophy so that they can make the most of the opportunities the playcentre experience potentially provides.

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

Background

Lynmore Playcentre is located in the Rotorua suburb of Lynmore and caters for children up to six years of age. It is licensed for 30 children, including up to 20 children under the age of two years. At the time of this ERO review, 16 families and 24 children were enrolled, of whom 2 identify as Māori. It currently provides 2 family sessions on Monday and Friday mornings. The centre is located in a purpose built facility with multi level outdoor spaces that have been well developed to provide stimulating and challenging areas for children to explore. The centre has recently experienced roll growth as a result of strengthened management and communication.

The centre operates under the umbrella of the Rotorua Playcentre Association. The association strongly endorses playcentre philosophy, and aims to empower parents to be the first and best educators of their children. It expects that parents will act as volunteer leaders and managers for their playcentre. The association employs staff to provide them with guidance and support. The knowledgeable operations manager is readily available to assist with information, and an experienced centre support officer attends playcentre sessions and meetings to advise and mentor members. The association receives reports from the support officer and that provide assurance of compliance with licensing, health and safety and other operational requirements.

Playcentres offer a recognised adult education qualification designed to assist parents to provide appropriate learning opportunities for their children. The association offers training towards this qualification for all members. In addition the association recently provided professional development through a Ministry of Education contract. An experienced tutor assisted the association and its centres to use self-review process to promote and evaluate its strategic goals.

Through its strategic plan, the association provides a framework for centres to set goals to guide their operation and development. These relate to their Tiriti o Waitangi commitment, the vibrancy of their communities of learning, their recognition of the wider community, and their sustainable future.

This review was part of a cluster of five reviews in the Rotorua Playcentre Association.

The Review Findings

Children are actively engaged in a wide range of play and activity. They are able to follow their own interests, and are supported to make their own choices and develop independence. Children have ready access to an extensive variety of resources, both inside and outside, that cater for different age groups. Well planned and developed outdoor play areas give children opportunities to take reasonable risks and extend their capabilities.

The centre is well resourced, including those learning tools which support mathematics and literacy development such as rulers, levels and books. ERO observed some examples of children being supported to develop concepts of number, pattern and measurement. Children enjoy lively discussions and activities related to books they have read. Centre leaders have worked hard to develop a culture whereby all children benefit from the diverse skills and experiences of all parents in the centre, not just their own.

Centre members celebrate children’s cultural diversity by including celebrations such as Matariki, Diwali, Easter and Christmas in the centre programme. Morning tea is used to welcome newcomers, celebrate children’s milestones, share things of interest and discuss items of the day. It is used effectively for supporting children’s social interactions and developing a family atmosphere.

A planning system is in place which encourages and supports participation by parents. Children’s activities are recorded in portfolios and wall displays, celebrate children’s participation, and promote their sense of identity and belonging.

Current position holders have formed a strong team committed to the playcentre philosophy and vision. They have worked hard to increase roll numbers and ensure that all new members feel welcome. They actively support parents participating in playcentre early childhood training. Parents comment positively about the good communication systems that centre leaders have developed. These have increased parents’ sense of inclusion and involvement.

Centre leaders are developing an understanding of self review. Informal and spontaneous self review occurs at monthly management meetings.

The association provides support and guidance, and is readily available to answer questions and offer advice. The centre support officer visits regularly to monitor compliance, provide feedback about centre practices, and maintain communication between the centre and the association.

Key Next Steps

Having worked effectively to build centre numbers and develop strong management practices, centre leaders and ERO agree it is now appropriate to focus on developing new parent understanding of how children learn through play. This will include:

  • developing strategies that support parents to identify their children’s learning and to add complexity
  • modelling intentional interactions which extend children’s learning and play.

It is also necessary to develop a more effective assessment culture through:

  • ensuring appropriate tools such as printers, templates and cameras are readily available, maintained and consistently used
  • developing strategies which make writing learning stories manageable for busy parents
  • utilising centre strengths to model how to write concise, effective learning stories that identify learning and possible next steps.

Self review requires strengthening. It needs to focus more on children’s learning and development. It should be regular, formal, well documented and linked to strategic planning.

The association has agreed that recognising and celebrating the learning for both adults and children is an essential part of valuing the ‘Playcentre experience’. Adding a goal to the association and centre strategic plans for identifying and building on programme successes would focus attention on the quality of learning opportunities and outcomes for children.

Management Assurance on Legal Requirements

Before the review, the staff and management of Lynmore 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.

Actions for compliance

During the course of the review ERO identified an area of non-compliance. To meet requirements the service needs to:

  • Ensure heavy furniture, fixtures and equipment that could fall or topple and cause serious injury or damage is secured.

[Licensing Criteria for Early Childhood Education and Care Centres 2008, Criterion HS 5]

Development Plan Recommendation

ERO recommends that the service, in consultation with the Ministry of Education, develops a plan to address the key next steps and actions outlined in this report.

Next ERO Review

When is ERO likely to review the service again?

The next ERO review of Lynmore Playcentre will be within two years.

Dale Bailey

Deputy Chief Review Officer Northern

13 February 2015

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

Rotorua

Ministry of Education profile number

40081

Licence type

Playcentre

Licensed under

Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008

Number licensed for

30 children, including up to 20 aged under 2

Service roll

24

Gender composition

Boys 16

Girls 8

Ethnic composition

Māori

NZ European/Pākehā

Other

2

18

4

Review team on site

October 2014

Date of this report

13 February 2015

Most recent ERO report(s)

Education Review

November 2011

 

Education Review

August 2008

 

Education Review

July 2005

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.