Mataliki Tokelau Akoga Kamata

Education institution number:
10266
Service type:
Education and Care Service
Definition:
Tokelauan ECE service
Total roll:
70
Telephone:
Address:

53 R Raglan Street, Mangere East, Auckland

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Mataliki Tokelau Akoga Kamata

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

Since the onsite visit the service has provided ERO with evidence that shows it has addressed non-compliances and is now taking reasonable steps to meet regulatory standards.

Background

Mataliki Tokelau Akoga Kamata is a community-based service that promotes the Tokelauan culture and language. The service’s philosophy is underpinned by Christian values, Te Whāriki the early childhood curriculum, and it fosters bicultural practices. A centre manager, business manager and supervisor lead a team of seven qualified teachers and 21 support staff.

Summary of Review Findings

Children’s preferences are respected, and children are involved in decisions about their learning experiences. 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. It promotes a language-rich environment that supports children’s learning. The curriculum offers children a range of experiences and opportunities to enhance and extend their learning and development, both indoors and outdoors.

Compliance

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

  • Sufficient space for equipment and materials to be stored safely and easily accessed (PF8).
  • Facilities or an alternative space for the cleaning of art materials (PF10).
  • Minimising risk to children from a tree on the boundary (HS1).
  • A list of safety and emergency supplies for adults and children, and the evidence of an annual review emergency plan (HS7).
  • Adults providing education and care are familiar with relevant emergency drills and carry these out with children on at least a three-monthly basis (HS8).
  • The inclusion of HS12 hazards identified in the guidelines as part of the service’s daily checks (HS12).
  • Water stored in any hot water cylinder is kept at a temperature of at least 60° Celsius (HS14).
  • A policy and procedure for excursions that includes the person responsible and an assessment and management of risk (HS17).
  • A record of all foods served to children during the service’s hours of operation (other than that provided by parents for their own children) (HS19).
  • A record of written authority and acknowledgement from parents for the administration of medication as outlined in Category 3 (HS28).
  • A record of training and/or information provided to adults who administer medicine to children (other than their own) while at the centre (HS29).
  • Where there is a serious injury, illness or incident involving a child while at the service, this is required to be notified to a specified agency, the service provider must also notify the Ministry of Education at the same time (HS34).
  • Suitable human resource management practices are implemented (GMA7).
  • Every children’s worker must be safety checked every three years (GMA7A).
  • An annual plan that outlines key tasks for each year and identifies who will be carrying out these tasks (GMA8).

Next ERO Review

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

Phil Cowie
Acting Director Review and Improvement Services (Northern)
Northern Region | Te Tai Raki

23 September 2021 

Information About the Service

Early Childhood Service Name

Mataliki Tokelau Akoga Kamata

Profile Number

10266

Location

Mangere, Auckland

Service type

Education and care service

Number licensed for

100 children, including up to 20 aged under 2

Percentage of qualified teachers

50-79%

Service roll

98

Ethnic composition

Māori 10, NZ European/Pākehā 1, Samoan 32, Tokelauan 20, Tongan 13, Cook Islands  10, Niue 6, Fijian 4, other ethnic groups 2

Review team on site

June 2021

Date of this report

23 September 2021

Most recent ERO report(s)

Education Review, April 2013; Education Review, March 2010

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.

Mataliki Tokelau Akoga Kamata - 16/12/2016

1 Evaluation of Mataliki Tokelau Akoga Kamata

How well placed is Mataliki Tokelau Akoga Kamata 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

Mataliki Tokelau Akoga Kamata is a well established Tokelauan community based centre that provides education and care for children from birth to school age. The centre's bilingual setting has a strong emphasis on promoting Te Gagana Tokelau (Tokelau language) and Aganuku Tokelau (Tokelau culture). Underpinned by Christian values and a commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the akoga reflects the diversity of its community. Most of the children who attend are of Tokelau, Māori, or other Pacific backgrounds.

The akoga was the first licensed Tokelau language early childhood centre in New Zealand and is governed by the Mataliki Tokelau Pre-School South Auckland Trust Board. Founding members have led the continued development of the akoga vision and educational direction over many years. They have worked with parents and the wider Tokelau community to establish and upgrade the centre's purpose-built property.

Following the recent retirement of the long-serving supervisor, the board has appointed a new leadership team of two supervisors and a business manager to lead the centre's daily operations. The founder, who is the manager and cultural advisor, continues to manage the overall vision and strategic direction. The board has managed the recent major building extensions well. An administrator, caretaker and teachers are actively involved with the Tokelau community and their vision for the akoga.

ERO's 2013 report noted strong, trusting relationships with children and whānau, and collaborative management. Robust self review had been established and there was a strong focus on continual improvement. The board and staff have made very good progress in addressing ERO's 2013 recommendations. These included developing a curriculum to better support children's learning, and strengthening internal evaluation. These aspects continue to be an ongoing commitment for the board and staff.

The Review Findings

The philosophy of Mataliki Tokelau Akoga Kamata is strongly evident in the programme provided for children. The teachers' commitment to promoting Tokelau identity, language and culture provides a place of belonging for children, parents and whānau. Parents and the wider community have reviewed the philosophy to ensure it reflects the centre's vision and mission for children's learning.

Children participate confidently and are empowered to make choices in the programme. Tuakana/teina relationships help children to develop leadership roles. They enjoy these responsibilities during lotu, helping others when participating in daily routines.

Teachers are a positive enthusiastic team and have high expectations of children. Children know their ideas are meaningful and valued. They are active participants in their learning as they work independently or in small groups. Children interact well with teachers who support their choices. Most of the teachers are fluent in Tokelau and model this well for children.

The centre's curriculum is responsive to children's languages and cultures. Teachers promote physical activity, science, art, music, imaginative play as well as literacy and numeracy. The spacious new environment are well organised and offer a good range of learning opportunities for children. There are specific areas for children to explore in the indoor and outdoor environments. Children understand the centres routines and teachers' expectations. Most of the older children are becoming independent and work alongside others to support the daily routines.

High quality group planning shows teacher collaboration and includes very good quality evaluation of the programme planning. Teachers have developed a shared understanding of internal review, reviewed many areas of the programme and made improvements for children. Their reflections and programme evaluations show their understanding of children's developing interests over time. The 'ika' framework for evaluation provides good evidence of improvements to teaching and learning. Teachers could now use this process to strengthen their planning to extend individual children's interests.

Parents are encouraged to participate in the learning programme. Their perspectives are valued and affirmed through formal and informal discussions. Many parents contribute to their child's learning records.

The akoga is well managed by a committed team who share a strong vision for improvement. The board and leaders have catered well for the recent change in the leadership structure. Good systems and accountability processes ensure policies and procedures are implemented and legislative requirements are met.

There are good opportunities for growing leadership in the akoga, including for parents and children. An appraisal process, clearly articulated in Tokelau and English, promotes teacher reflection and improved practice. Leaders plan to use the Ministry of Education resource Tātaiako: Cultural Competencies for Teachers of Māori Learners, to strengthen teachers' capability and bicultural practice. There are good operational guidelines for the board members, who continue to look for ways to improve and strengthen their performance.

Key Next Steps

The board and leaders agree that key next steps could include strengthening how teachers:

  • extend and document individual children's learning over time

  • cater for complexity and challenge

  • use internal evaluation to guide ongoing improvements.

Management Assurance on Legal Requirements

Before the review, the staff and management of Mataliki Tokelau Akoga Kamata 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 Mataliki Tokelau Akoga Kamata will be in four years.

Graham Randell

Deputy Chief Review Officer Northern

16 December 2016

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

Mangere, Auckland

Ministry of Education profile number

10266

Licence type

Education & Care Service

Licensed under

Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008

Number licensed for

50 children, including up to 10 aged under 2

Service roll

51

Gender composition

Girls 26 Boys 25

Ethnic composition

Māori

Tokelau

Samoan

Niue

Cook Islands Māori

Tongan

11

19

13

13

4

1

Percentage of qualified teachers

0-49% 50-79% 80%+

Based on funding rates

80% +

Reported ratios of staff to children

Under 2

1:3

Better than minimum requirements

Over 2

1:8

Better than minimum requirements

Review team on site

November 2016

Date of this report

16 December 2016

Most recent ERO report(s)

 

Education Review

April 2013

Education Review

March 2010

Supplementary Review

April 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.