Miropiko Kindergarten

Education institution number:
5152
Service type:
Free Kindergarten
Definition:
Not Applicable
Total roll:
48
Telephone:
Address:

309 River Road, Claudelands, Hamilton

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Miropiko Kindergarten - 20/12/2018

1 Evaluation of Miropiko Kindergarten

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

Not well placed

Requires further development

Well placed

Very well placed

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

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

Background

Miropiko Kindergarten, located in the centre of Hamilton, is licensed for 40 children. The kindergarten offers both full and part-day education and care for children from two years to school age. Children come from a diverse range of ethnic backgrounds and for many English is a second language. At the time of this ERO review 52 children were enrolled, including nine who identify as Māori.

The kindergarten is one of 29 kindergartens that operate under the Waikato Kindergarten Association (WKA), which is a charitable trust. The strategic direction of the association is guided by the overarching statement, ‘Our children are strong in heart, head and hand’. The WKA has a commitment to providing quality, inclusive services that effectively meet the diverse educational needs of all children attending. Advice, guidance and support is provided to the organisation by a kaumātua from Tainui.

All kindergartens in the WKA are involved in a ‘Cool 4 School’ transition programme and sustainable education, environmental and health programmes such as Enviroschools and Sport Waikato 'Under 5 Energise'. The kindergartens’ education, operational and administrative responsibilities are supported by experienced association personnel.

Miropiko Kindergarten philosophy promotes a friendly, welcoming and nurturing environment that reflects the bicultural heritage of Aotearoa New Zealand. The philosophy documents the intent to empower children to construct their own learning, be creative, take risks and problem solve. The kindergarten values diversity, rich numeracy and literacy woven throughout the curriculum, working alongside parents to develop strong relationships and a strong sense of belonging.

Since the 2014 ERO review three of the four teachers are new to the kindergarten. An acting head teacher began in March 2018. Hours of operation have been extended to meet the needs of the community during school term holidays. There has been a significant increase in the number of two year olds enrolled in the kindergarten. There has also been ongoing progress to further develop strong links to local schools.

This review was part of a cluster of eight reviews in the Waikato Kindergarten Association.

The Review Findings

Children’s choices and decision making are respected. Teachers promote a calm and unhurried pace in which children learn, develop and explore their working theories. The natural world focus guides a range of experiences to support children’s knowing and understanding of kaitiakitanga. Literacy and numeracy are meaningfully interwoven throughout play.

Children experience sustained play and are empowered to take increased responsibility for themselves, others and their environment. The learning environment is well resourced, provides challenge and encourages children’s curiosity and exploration. Teachers nurture and provide support for children with English as a second language that enables their full participation in the programme.

Collaborative relationships between schools and the kindergarten have been enhanced to support children to settle confidently into the school environment. Teachers actively research and use external agencies to support children’s development. Children with additional needs are well supported to fully participate in all aspects of the programme.

An inclusive environment empowers children’s sense of belonging and understanding of the world around them. Teachers use a variety of strategies that support children’s growing social and emotional competency. Open ended questions support children’s oral language development and problem solving skills. The kindergarten is building teachers knowledge and understanding of a high-quality bicultural curriculum through extending cultural connections with whānau and community.

Teachers are respectful and responsive to children. Individual planning is detailed and goal setting for children is evident. Assessment identifies children’s participation in the environment. It is timely for the kindergarten to purposefully deepen teachers' understanding of Te Whāriki 2017. This is necessary to extend teachers' knowledge of implementing a localised curriculum.

The philosophy guides teaching well and is focused on learning outcomes. Collaborative ways of working with teachers, whānau and children are fostered. Relationships are based on trust and respect. Parents are provided with opportunities to contribute to their child’s learning. Strengthening knowledge and understanding of effective internal evaluation should support leaders to:

  • ensure that outcomes for children guide the process

  • know and understand priorities for children’s learning

  • better align assessment practices to children’s goals, continuity of learning and progress overtime

  • build and embed high quality leadership for improvement.

Education services managers (ESMs) work closely with the head teacher and provide well-informed professional leadership to support kindergarten operation. The association has recently reviewed its teacher appraisal process. Ensuring this new process is fully implemented is now a priority for ESMs.

The WKA provides comprehensive systems, policies and procedures to guide kindergarten practice. Teachers have access to ongoing and targeted professional development to promote improved practice and contribute to positive outcomes for children. Effective governance by the WKA is contributing to high-quality, inclusive and equitable services for children.

Key Next Steps

The key next steps for leaders and teachers are to:

  • strengthen effective internal evaluation for ongoing improvement

  • deepen their understanding of Te Whāriki 2017.

Management Assurance on Legal Requirements

Before the review, the staff and management of Miropiko 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 Miropiko Kindergarten will be in three years.

Phil Cowie

Director Review and Improvement Services

Te Tai Miringa - Waikato / Bay of Plenty Region

20 December 2018

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

Hamilton, Waikato

Ministry of Education profile number

5152

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

Girls 30 Boys 22

Ethnic composition

Māori
Pākehā
Other

9
32
11

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

October 2018

Date of this report

20 December 2018

Most recent ERO report(s)

Education Review

November 2014

Education Review

August 2011

Education Review

May 2008

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.

Miropiko Kindergarten - 05/11/2014

1 Evaluation of Miropiko Kindergarten

How well placed is Miropiko 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

Miropiko Kindergarten is located in Hamilton and provides both all-day and sessional education and care for children from two years to school age. The kindergarten is licensed for up to 40 children over the age of two years at any one time. At the time of this ERO review, 64 children were enrolled, of whom four are identified as Māori.

The kindergarten operates under the umbrella of the Waikato Kindergarten Association (WKA), which is a charitable trust, and does not operate for profit. The strategic direction of the association is guided by the overarching statement, ‘Every child reaching their full potential’. The WKA has a commitment to providing quality, inclusive services that effectively meet the diverse educational needs of all children attending. All WKA kindergartens provide an Enviroschools focus as a key curriculum feature to encourage children to better understand caring for the environment.

The Educational Service Manager (ESM) monitors and reports to the association on the kindergarten’s quality of education. A kaumātua from Tainui provides advice, guidance and support about Māori language, culture and identity. The kindergarten’s administrative responsibilities are well supported by association resource personnel.

The kindergarten benefits from the WKA's clear guidelines and expectations for practice and the availability of good self-review processes for monitoring and evaluating the quality of education and care it provides for children.

Miropiko Kindergarten is sited on part of the Ngāti Wairere Miropiko Pa Reserve. Teachers and children have taken the role as kaitiaki and appreciate the historical significance of this site for tangata whenua and the local community. The team's shared philosophy places value on bicultural practices and building sustainable environments and communities.

This review was part of a cluster of 12 kindergarten reviews in the Waikato Kindergarten Association.

The Review Findings

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

Children, teachers, parents and whānau work together to make decisions that are based on what is best for children. Teachers value parents' aspirations for children. They actively promote a holistic approach to whānau partnerships and participation in the kindergarten. Teachers have successfully established a strong community of learners.

The highly skilled and experienced teaching team is led by a knowledgeable and inspirational head teacher who is well supported by the ESM. The head teacher has created a collaborative team culture where individuals feel empowered to show leadership and contribute their expertise and talents. This team effectively implements regular and critical self review focused on promoting positive outcomes for children, parents and whānau.

Children enjoy a rich, responsive and inclusive curriculum which promotes sustainability of healthy life styles and environments, and embraces the language, culture and identity of individuals. There is an emphasis on developing children’s understanding of how they and others learn.

Te Ao Māori concepts are skilfully integrated throughout the programme. This focus on Māori concepts is enhanced by the positive relationship that has been formed with the kindergarten's own kaumātua. In addition the kindergarten continues to build strong partnerships with Tongan fono and other families.

The carefully designed and vibrant learning environment motivates children’s interests, curiosity and exploration. Children confidently access a wide range of high-quality, purposeful resources to extend their play and ideas. Within this environment children have extensive opportunities to be creative, expressive and develop knowledge and skills in aspects of literacy, mathematics, science and technology.

Teachers’ interactions with children are based on reciprocal trust and the belief in children as capable and competent learners and decision makers. They have in-depth knowledge of parents and children’s goals and aspirations and skilfully use this information to plan, and implement meaningful learning opportunities. Children respond positively to teachers high expectations of them. ERO observed many examples of children initiating and leading their own learning in aspects of the programme.

Key Next Steps

ERO, the ESM and teachers agree that the key next step for the kindergarten is for teachers to inquire into exploring how children’s learning journeys might be enhanced and shared as they transition from early childhood education to school.

Management Assurance on Legal Requirements

Before the review, the staff and management of Miropiko 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 Miropiko Kindergarten will be in four years.

Dale Bailey

National Manager Review Services

Northern Region

5 November 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

Hamilton

Ministry of Education profile number

5152

Licence type

Free Kindergarten

Licensed under

Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008

Number licensed for

40 children, including up to 0 aged under 2

Service roll

64

Gender composition

Boys 42

Girls 22

Ethnic composition

Māori

NZ European/Pākehā

Tongan

Other

4

52

3

5

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

August 2014

Date of this report

5 November 2014

Most recent ERO report(s)

Education Review

August 2011

 

Education Review

May 2008

 

Education Review

May 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.