Milson Kindergarten

Education institution number:
5260
Service type:
Free Kindergarten
Definition:
Not Applicable
Total roll:
41
Telephone:
Address:

69 Abraham Crescent, Milson, Palmerston North

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Milson Kindergarten - 27/11/2019

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

 

1 Evaluation of Milson Kindergarten

How well placed is Milson Kindergarten to promote positive learning outcomes for children?

Not well placedRequires further developmentWell placedVery well placed

Milson Kindergarten is well placed to promote positive learning outcomes for children.

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

Background

Milson Kindergarten is located in Palmerston North. Opening hours are Monday to Friday from 8:45am until 2:45pm. Full day places are available to children from two to six years. At the time of this review, there were 49 children enrolled and 13 identify as Māori.

The kindergarten philosophy emphasises valuing tamariki and whānau and providing an environment with a focus on relationships, sustainability and positive learning experiences.

The kindergarten is administered by the Ruahine Kindergarten Association (the association). The governing board is responsible for setting the overall strategic direction for the organisation. The day-to-day running of the association is the role of the chief executive officer who is responsible to the board. An operations manager supports the service’s compliance and policy development. Two senior teachers provide educational leadership across the teaching teams.

The May 2016 ERO report identified that strengthening the understanding and use of internal evaluation was required. Progress has been made but some aspects remain a focus for further strengthening.

This kindergarten is part of the Palmerston North East Kāhui Ako and a member of the Enviroschools programme.

This review was part of a cluster of twelve kindergartens and one early learning service in the Ruahine Kindergarten Association umbrella organisation.

The Review Findings

Children are supported to lead their own learning and confidently engage in a programme that promotes authentic and meaningful learning experiences. The environment is thoughtfully arranged to encourage physical challenge, exploration, challenge and discovery. Care and respect for each other and the environment are modelled by teachers.

Teachers work alongside children to promote their independence and social and emotional competencies. Intentional teaching builds on their skills and knowledge. Teachers' respectful and collaborative practices result in a calm, nurturing environment where children, parents and families feel welcome.

Teachers have strengthened assessment for learning. An on-line programme supports improved parent and whānau communication about children's plans, progress and achievements. As the result of a recent review, teachers are strengthening parent contribution to this process to enable teachers to more intentionally plan towards meeting these aspirations. Children are able to see themselves as valued learners through their individual learning portfolios.

Teachers work collaboratively to identify individual goals to inform planning and extension of children's emerging strengths, interests and dispositions. Further evaluation of the impact of teaching strategies and curriculum decisions on children's learning should strengthen outcomes for children. Ensuring that assessment and planning, and therefore the curriculum, meaningfully acknowledges children's culture and language is a key next step.

A commitment to implementing culturally responsive practice is evident. Te reo me ngā tikanga Māori are incorporated into the programme. Teachers continue to build their knowledge and understanding of strategies that promote educational success for Māori children.

Teachers are responsive to the individual needs of all learners. They advocate for children and work in collaboration with families and external agencies to help children who require additional learning support, progress towards their individual goals.

A well-considered transition process supports children's entry to school. The kindergarten has established relationships with the local school where information is exchanged and regular visits help children to become familiar with the school environment.

Senior teachers work collaboratively to build teacher and leadership capability. There is a strong commitment to growing staff knowledge and skills through ongoing professional learning, research opportunities and the sharing of good practice.

A range of collaboratively undertaken reviews, aligned to kindergarten and association priorities for ongoing improvement, emphasise children's learning. Strengthening teachers' knowledge of evaluation to support them to know the impact of their actions on children's outcomes is an ongoing development.

Association leaders have a well-considered approach to progressing strategic objectives. Robust systems and processes are in place for reporting, monitoring and evaluating the quality of operations. Information is used to inform decision making and to improve the quality of teaching and learning.

Key Next Steps

At kindergarten level, priorities are to continue to strengthen:

  • teachers' understanding and use of internal evaluation focused on outcomes for children
  • responsiveness to children's cultures and languages and promoting success for Māori learners as Māori.

At the governance level, the Ruahine Kindergarten Association have identified that their priorities are to continue to:

  • strengthen and build their knowledge and understanding of tikanga Māori and seek engagement with local iwi with kaumatua support
  • support Milson Kindergarten to embed internal evaluation for improvement.

Management Assurance on Legal Requirements

Before the review, the staff and management of Milson 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:

  • 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.

Phil Cowie

Director Review and Improvement Services Central

Central Region

27 November 2019

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

LocationPalmerston North
Ministry of Education profile number5260
Licence typeFree Kindergarten
Licensed underEducation (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008
Number licensed for40 children aged over 2
Service roll49
Gender compositionMale 25, Female 24
Ethnic compositionMāori
NZ European/Pākehā
Pacific
Other ethnic groups
13
18
4
14

Percentage of qualified teachers

0-49% 50-79% 80%+

Based on funding rates

80% +
Reported ratios of staff to children1:10Meets minimum requirements
Review team on siteAugust 2019
Date of this report27 November 2019

Most recent ERO report(s)

 

Education ReviewMay 2016
Education ReviewOctober 2012
Education ReviewJune 2009

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

The overall judgement that ERO makes will depend on how well the service promotes positive learning outcomes for children. The categories are:

  • Very well placed
  • Well placed
  • Requires further development
  • Not well placed

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.

Milson Kindergarten - 27/05/2016

1 Evaluation of Milson Kindergarten

How well placed is Milson Kindergarten 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

Milson Kindergarten is one of 25 early childhood services administered by the Ruahine Kindergarten Association Incorporated (the association). It is licensed for 40 children aged over two years. Of the 52 children enrolled, 14 are Māori. All five teachers are qualified and certificated.

The kindergarten philosophy's core foundation is to promote trusting, respectful relationships between children, whānau and teachers.

The October 2012 ERO report identified that use of self review to enhance programmes for children, and further building bicultural understanding needed further development. Professional support has been provided to improve these aspects of practice. Good progress is evident.

Day-to-day management of the association's affairs is the responsibility of the general manager. A governing board sets the overall strategic direction. The senior teacher provides professional leadership for teaching and learning. An operations manager supports kindergartens' compliance, policy development and leadership. A management restructure has been undertaken since the previous ERO review.

This review was part of a cluster of eight reviews in the Ruahine Kindergartens.

The Review Findings

Children experience a child-initiated, play-based curriculum for the majority of time and are busy, purposeful, active learners. Teachers encourage emerging interests, and support child-led inquiries and investigations. Children’s risk-taking within a safe environment is well supported. They make choices from the wide range of rich learning experiences.

Children are developing skills that support them as capable, confident, lifelong learners. Early literacy and numeracy experiences are included meaningfully throughout the programme.

Teachers focus on developing positive relationships between homes and the kindergarten. Children with special needs are welcomed and supported by close partnerships with parents. Teachers know each child and their personalities well.

Children's learning and development are celebrated and shared between teachers and parents. An on-line programme supports improved parent communication about children's plans, progress and achievements. Teachers continue to refine and embed systems to better record how they recognise and respond to individual learning. This development should include giving further consideration of the purpose and intent of children's portfolios.

Children have a variety of opportunities to learn about Aotearoa New Zealand’s dual cultural heritage. Teachers are enthusiastic about exploring further ways of enhancing culturally responsive practices for Māori learners.

Transitions to school are managed with care. Strong connections are formed with the adjacent school. Teachers and parents increasingly share information so that children’s confidence and capability at preschool transfer to the new entrant classroom. Teachers should continue to seek ways to further strengthen this relationships with other contributing schools.

The experienced head teacher confidently leads staff. They have ample opportunities for leadership to support their professional growth. Teachers continue to develop evidence-based internal evaluation processes and practices, to improve on the quality of teaching and learning.

The kindergarten's annual plan outlines priorities for the year linked to the association's strategic goals of having high quality staff, coordinated services, effective partnerships and operations. Progress is recorded and reflected upon in collaboration with the senior teacher and operations manager. Quality indicators linked to outcomes for children are a useful addition to the annual plan. These should be further defined to enable more effective monitoring of progress.

Progress has been made in developing a bicultural perspective in the programme. This is supported by an environmental focus, bicultural values, teacher development goals and professional learning opportunities. Association leaders are strongly committed to implementing a bicultural curriculum and promoting success for Māori children as Māori. The revised Te Tiriti o Waitangi policy, Wise Practice document and bicultural exemplars should support development of these practices.

The association provides effective governance and management support for this service. This includes:

  • constructive and improvement-focused support from the senior teacher

  • suitable quality assurance processes and guidelines linked to compliance with regulations and association expectations

  • effective and targeted support for teacher and leadership development through appraisal and wide-ranging professional learning opportunities

  • a variety of operational and administrative support.

The association agrees the continued development of the Wise Practice indicators should occur to support understanding about the quality and effectiveness of practice and operation at kindergarten through to board level.

Key Next Steps

ERO and association leaders agree that teachers should be supported to continue to strengthen understanding and use of internal evaluation.

Management Assurance on Legal Requirements

Before the review, the staff and management of Milson 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:

  • 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 Milson Kindergarten will be in three years.

Joyce Gebbie

Deputy Chief Review Officer Central

27 May 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

Palmerston North

Ministry of Education profile number

5260

Licence type

Free Kindergarten

Licensed under

Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008

Number licensed for

40 children, aged over 2

Service roll

52

Gender composition

Boys 28, Girls 24

Ethnic composition

Māori

Pākehā

Chinese

Papua New Guinean

Other ethnic groups

14

31

3

2

2

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

April 2016

Date of this report

27 May 2016

Most recent ERO report(s)

Education Review

October 2012

Education Review

June 2009

Education Review

December 2006

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 

The overall judgement that ERO makes and theERO’s Approach to Review in Early Childhood Services.

ERO’s Overall Judgement and Next Review

 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.