PORSE New Plymouth Q1

Education institution number:
55424
Service type:
Homebased Network
Definition:
Not Applicable
Total roll:
53
Telephone:
Address:

220 Devon Street East, New Plymouth

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PORSE New Plymouth Q1 - 21/01/2020

1 Evaluation of PORSE New Plymouth Q1

How well placed is PORSE New Plymouth Q1 to promote positive learning outcomes for children?

Not well placed

Requires further development

Well placed

Very well placed

PORSE New Plymouth Q1 is well placed to promote positive learning outcomes for children.

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

Background

PORSE New Plymouth Q1 is a home-based education and care network operating under the umbrella of PORSE In-Home Childcare (NZ) Ltd. It is one of four networks in the New Plymouth/Hawera region. Of the 130 children currently enrolled, 20 are Māori.

In this network four programme tutors, who are qualified and registered teachers, work alongside educators. Their role is to assist educators to implement care and learning programmes for children. Programme tutors are supported by a regional coach who reports to the senior leadership team.

At the time of the June 2016 ERO review, the organisation had been newly sold to Evolve Education Group Ltd. In late 2018, it was purchased by Rainbow Group. There have been some changes in national and regional team management. A national role of curriculum and quality assurance coach has been created and a new regional community representative supports the Taranaki networks.

The PORSE vision is ‘expanding the hearts, minds and wellbeing of a nation through nurturing childcare in-home’. A philosophy guiding teaching and learning has been refreshed to better acknowledge a commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. It promotes authentic relationships, environments and learning experiences.

The previous ERO report identified that improvement was required in relation to: internal evaluation; philosophy review; strengthening the bicultural approach with a focus on promoting educational success for Māori children; and improving assessment, planning and evaluation of children's learning. Progress has been made in some areas, while others remain priorities for improvement. An area to improve practice in relation to health and safety records has been successfully addressed.

This review was part of a cluster of four reviews of PORSE In-Home Childcare (NZ) Ltd.

The Review Findings

Children have opportunities to participate in a programme based on their interests. They regularly socialise with other children while in their educator’s care. A wide range of learning experiences within the local community reflects the PORSE commitment to place-based learning and real-life experiences.

Children of all ages benefit from positive and caring relationships with educators and programme tutors. Te Whāriki concepts of manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, whakamana and kotahitanga are evident across the networks.

A varied range of communication tools promotes consistency of care between children's homes and their home-based service. Educators and programme tutors work appropriately with families and external agencies to meet children's individual needs.

On-going observation of children in everyday activities builds a picture of what they are interested in and can do. Some educators and programme tutors use this information well to plan a programme that extends children's learning. New templates assist educators to develop a shared understanding of effective assessment practice.

In this network, ERO saw learning stories of Samoan children that reflect their Pacific heritage. However, assessment for all children requires strengthening to better reflect their culture, language and identity. Attention should be given to improving monitoring systems to ensure that all children benefit from a curriculum informed by individual assessment.

Educators are making good progress in achieving appropriate qualifications to promote children’s learning. They are well supported by a training programme that takes account of their individual circumstances and learning needs.

PORSE appraisal procedures support the development of teacher capability. Collaborative leadership is encouraged. The regional coach implements an increasingly rigorous approach to support teachers to grow their knowledge and skills. A quality practice template provides clear foci to further strengthen teachers’ evaluative capability against the Standards for the Teaching Profession. There is alignment to PORSE beliefs and values. Review is integrated through the appraisal process. Teachers are reflective. Professional learning opportunities are ongoing and informed by teachers’ goals and service priorities.

A growing range of resources and workshops supports programme tutors and educators to promote Te Tiriti o Waitangi based practices. This is in the early stages. Leaders continue to explore ways to integrate aspects of te ao Māori into the programme. This was a key next step in the previous report and remains a priority for improvement.

Since the previous ERO review, a new system to improve health and safety practices has been introduced. This encourages educators to evaluate their own performance in meeting regulatory requirements. The new approach has strengthened educators' knowledge and understanding of the licensing criteria and enables programme tutors to focus on how well children's safety and good health are promoted.

Self review for improvement is established and has led to some positive changes. Staff are beginning to consider how well the curriculum and teaching practices are supporting improved outcomes for children. The use of research-based indicators should assist programme tutors in making rigorous judgements to inform future practice.

An appropriate governance and management framework guides operation and practice. Leaders are taking steps to streamline policy review. Ensuring all policies are clearly dated and regularly revised to reflect on-going changes is a key next step.

Systems to monitor PORSE expectations of educators and programme tutors are generally well established, with some recently revised following changes in the organisation. Leaders should ensure rigour in their monitoring of these systems to ensure PORSE values are consistently enacted in practice.

Leaders are in the early stages of introducing an evaluation process to measure the effectiveness of their governance and management framework. ERO's evaluation affirms this as a key next step for continual improvement. Managers should ensure that the recorded outcomes from this internal evaluation are used to inform decisions aimed at improving service performance and learning outcomes for children.

Key Next Steps

Network leaders and programme tutors should continue to:

  • strengthen internal evaluation

  • improve consistency of assessment practice so that the curriculum for all children is informed by regular individual assessment, planning and evaluation that demonstrates an understanding of children's learning, their interests, whānau and life contexts.

Organisation managers should:

  • continue to strengthen internal evaluation at all levels of the organisation

  • continue to build Te Tiriti o Waitangi based practice in systems and processes

  • ensure that all policies are appropriately dated and regularly revised

  • improve monitoring systems to ensure that the PORSE philosophy and values are consistently enacted in practice.

Management Assurance on Legal Requirements

Before the review, the staff and management of PORSE New Plymouth Q1 completed an ERO Home-based Education and Care 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 - Te Tai Pūtahi Nui

21 January 2020

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 Home-based Education and Care Service

Location

New Plymouth

Ministry of Education profile number

55424

Institution type

Homebased Network

Licensed under

Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008

Number licensed for

80 children, including up to 80 aged under 2

Service roll

130

Standard or Quality Funded

Quality

Gender composition

Female 70, Male 60

Ethnic composition

Māori
NZ European/Pākehā
Other ethnic groups

20
103
7

Number of qualified coordinators in the network

4

Required ratios of staff educators to children

Under 2

1:2

Over 2

1:4

Review team on site

November 2019

Date of this report

21 January 2020

Most recent ERO report(s)

Education Review

June 2016

Education Review

February 2011

Education Review

June 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 draft methodology for ERO reviews in Home-based Education and Care Services: July 2014

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.

PORSE New Plymouth Q1 - 02/06/2016

1 Evaluation of PORSE New Plymouth Q1

How well placed is PORSE New Plymouth Q1 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

PORSE New Plymouth Q1 is a home-based education and care network operating under the umbrella of PORSE In-Home Childcare. Qualified and registered programme tutors work alongside educators and nannies to implement and support learning programmes for children in homes. PORSE also supports families and educators with professional development, administration and payroll services. A national team provides governance and management support for all PORSE services.

Evolve Education Group Limited purchased the service late 2014. With the change of ownership the existing structures for national support and community team management have continued. The senior leadership team report to a new Evolve board of directors.

PORSE offers two models of education and care: the Home Educator model, where an educator works in their own home; and a Nanny Educator model, where an educator works in a family’s home. PORSE provides a range of training programmes and workshops for home educators, nannies and parents. Of the 123 children enrolled in the network at the time of this ERO review, 19 identify as Māori.

The PORSE vision is ‘expanding the hearts, minds and wellbeing of a nation through nurturing childcare in-home’.

The February 2011 report identified the need to strengthen the appraisal process for educators. Systems are in place for their annual appraisal. Progress has been made. The report also identified an area for compliance to eliminate hazards. This has been addressed.

This review is one of a cluster of four home-based networks of PORSE In-Home Childcare.

The Review Findings

Children participate in a learning programme that is based on their interests. Educators follow these interests and respond by providing a range of activities. Regular, useful information is provided for parents about their child’s day. Parent feedback provides evidence of positive relationships between educators and children. Educators work in collaboration with parents as they support the transition to school process. 

PORSE promotes their PlaySchool experience as part of the child’s overall learning programme. Programme tutors work collaboratively to identify purposeful strategies that help educators promote positive outcomes for children. They actively model how to support relationships with children at PlaySchool and other planned events.

Educators and programme tutors share a positive working relationship. Regular visits are completed by the programme tutor with a focus on building educator's understanding of and capability for working with Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum. Specific feedback supports the educator to provide a programme reflective of the child's interests. A next step is to support educators in their understanding of identifying the significant learning that is occurring for the child. This information should then be used to plan a programme that challenges children in their play and learning.

The bicultural approach within a home-based context is developing. Documentation shows educators use of te reo Māori, waiata and karakia. This continues to be an area for ongoing development. PORSE has developed plans to strengthen the participation for Māori children in the organisation. A next step is to develop plans that have specific strategies to show how educational success for Māori children will be promoted. Leaders should also revisit the Pasifika Education Plan 2013-2017 to support them in their developing understanding of working with diverse learners.

Some progress has been made in developing self review. PORSE managers recognise that deepening their understanding of the review and evaluation process is a next step. A more evaluative and systematic approach to review, that focuses on outcomes for children, should strengthen current practice. In addition, managers acknowledge the need to review the philosophy in consultation with educators, parents' and whanau.

Educators and families are kept well informed of the regular professional development opportunities provided. Development of the appraisal process has been ongoing. It is consistently implemented and identifies professional development needs. There is appropriate alignment of appraisal and practising teacher criteria. Induction processes for programme tutors and educators are clearly outlined in supporting documents.

Managers are improvement-focused and have some useful systems and processes established to track operational expectations. Better monitoring of the implementation of these systems and practices, including those relating to health and safety, is required.

PORSE administration systems effectively support educators, programme tutors and coaches in their roles. Strengthening guiding documents and practices relating to the considered use of information and communication technologies and social media, in an educational context, is a next step.

Key Next Steps

Priorities for this service are for leaders to:

  • continue to build educator's understanding of assessment, planning and evaluation

  • strengthen the bicultural approach within a home-based context including the focus on promoting educational success for Māori children

  • further develop internal evaluation as a tool to improve outcomes for children

  • review the PORSE philosophy in consultation with educators, parents and whānau.

Management Assurance on Legal Requirements

Before the review, the staff and management of PORSE New Plymouth Q1 completed an ERO Home-based Education and Care 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.

To improve current practice:

  • PORSE management should ensure that the system for all health and safety documents is consistently completed by all parties.

Next ERO Review

When is ERO likely to review the service again?

The next ERO review of PORSE New Plymouth Q1 will be in three years.

Joyce Gebbie

Deputy Chief Review Officer Central

2 June 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 Home-based Education and Care Service 

Location

New Plymouth

Ministry of Education profile number

55424

Institution type

Homebased Network

Licensed under

Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008

Number licensed for

80 children, including up to 80 aged under 2

Service roll

123

Standard or Quality Funded

Quality

Gender composition

Boys 57, Girls 66

Ethnic composition

Māori

Pākehā

Samoan

Other ethnic groups

19

95

1

8

Number of qualified coordinators in the network

5

Required ratios of educators to children

Under 2

1:2

Over 2

1:4

Review team on site

April 2016

Date of this report

2 June 2016

Most recent ERO report(s)

Education Review

February 2011

Education Review

June 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 draft methodology for ERO reviews in Home-based Education and Care Services: July 2014

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.