96 Vermont Street, Ponsonby, Auckland
View on mapAkarangi | Quality Evaluation evaluates the extent to which this early childhood service has the learning and organisational conditions to support equitable and excellent outcomes for all learners. Te Ara Poutama- indicators of quality for early childhood education: what matters most (PDF 3.01MB) are the basis for making judgements about the effectiveness of the service in achieving equity and excellence for all learners. The Akarangi Quality Evaluation Judgement Rubric (PDF 91.30KB) derived from the indicators, is used to inform the ERO’s judgements about this service’s performance in promoting equity and excellence.
ERO’s judgements for The Learning Centre Ltd are as follows:
Outcome Indicators |
ERO’s judgement |
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What the service knows about outcomes for learners |
Whakawhanake Sustaining |
Ngā Akatoro Domains |
ERO’s judgement |
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He Whāriki Motuhake The learner and their learning |
Whakawhanake Sustaining |
|
Whakangungu Ngaio Collaborative professional learning builds knowledge and capability |
Whakawhanake Sustaining |
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Ngā Aronga Whai Hua Evaluation for improvement |
Whakawhanake Sustaining |
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Kaihautū Leaders foster collaboration and improvement |
Whakawhanake Sustaining |
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Te Whakaruruhau Stewardship through effective governance and management |
Whakawhanake Sustaining |
The Learning Centre Ltd is a family owned and operated service located in a renovated villa. It offers full day education and care for up to 50 children, including 20 infants under two years of age. Children learn in small age-related groups. A centre manager leads the team of 13 qualified teachers. The Resources for Infant Educarers (RIE) philosophy is enacted and based on respect for, and trust in the child to be an initiator, an explorer and a self-learner.
Children settle well and show a strong sense of belonging. Infants and toddlers experience a calm and peaceful environment with caring kaiako. RIE and primary care practices are used by kaiako to maintain trusting relationships with these younger children and their whānau.
Children learn through an uninterrupted play-based curriculum. Open-ended resources enable them to make independent choices. Children work alongside each other and negotiate the use of equipment. They are active in their learning and challenge themselves physically. Children build early mathematical skills, concepts, and oral language through the curriculum provided.
Te ao Māori and tikanga Māori practices are evident throughout the curriculum. Kaiako use te reo Māori in routines and daily interactions. Children confidently say karakia and sing waiata. Children’s cultures are acknowledged through celebrations and events. Kaiako are respectful of children’s cultural backgrounds in their practice and interactions with each other.
Leaders collaboratively enact the service’s vision and goals, recognising Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles. The centre’s philosophy is well established and can be seen in every aspect of operation. The positive working environment creates a sense of stability and community that contributes to children’s emotional wellbeing and staff welfare.
Kaiako engage in a wide range of professional development and learning opportunities. They are RIE trained and host workshops for whānau and other professionals. Leaders and kaiako are invited to share their professional knowledge of RIE practice with the wider early childhood community. The wider sector value and acknowledge the impact this professional learning has on leaders’ personal development and their services.
Leaders make good use of internal evaluation processes. Their collaborative approach is focused on improvement. It acknowledges the importance of seeking all stakeholder voices.
Centre owners and leaders operate within a high trust model. The health and safety of children, their whānau and kaiako is a priority. Leaders are introducing online systems and processes to streamline daily operations and procedures.
The Learning Centre Ltd will include the following actions in its Quality Improvement Planning:
Before the review, the staff and management of The Learning Centre Ltd 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:
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:
All early childhood services are required to promote children's health and safety and to regularly review their compliance with legal requirements.
Phil Cowie
Acting Director Review and Improvement Services (Northern)
Northern Region | Te Tai Raki
22 December 2021
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Early Childhood Service Name |
The Learning Centre Ltd |
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Profile Number |
25335 |
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Location |
Ponsonby, Auckland |
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Service type |
Education and care service |
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Number licensed for |
50 children, including up to 20 aged under 2 |
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Percentage of qualified teachers |
100% |
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Service roll |
62 |
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Ethnic composition |
Māori 1, NZ European/Pākehā 50, Samoan 4, other ethnic groups 7 |
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Review team on site |
July 2021 |
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Date of this report |
22 December 2021 |
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Most recent ERO report(s) |
Education Review, October 2016 |
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Not well placed |
Requires further development |
Well placed |
Very well placed |
ERO's findings that support this overall judgement are summarised below.
The Learning Centre Ltd is a family-owned and operated early childhood centre that provides full day education and care for children from four months to five years of age. It operates in a renovated villa in Ponsonby and has a spacious outdoor environment. The centre is adjacent to a local park. Teachers use the park as part of supporting children's understanding of the natural world, and for centre events.
Children are able to attend the centre for full or part-days to accommodate the high number of siblings attending together. Children are catered for in small, age differentiated groups. There are good opportunities for children to play together for long periods during the day. Ratios of staff to children are maintained at above required levels. The centre caters for a majority of European/Pākehā children and their families.
The centre owners and staff are committed to upholding the principles of Resources for Infant Educators (RIE). This set of principles provide a philosophical approach that prioritises respect for the individuality of children within a nurturing and caring environment. The centre is led by a small leadership team of qualified teachers. They share responsibility for the support of other teachers, and the smooth operation of the centre.
ERO's 2013 review of the centre identified many positive aspects of practice. These included positive relationships, good opportunities for younger children's physical development and teachers' reflective practice. The report highlighted that the centre's areas for development were to improve self-review processes, strengthen bicultural practice and enhance the programme planning cycle. The centre has continued embedding the positive practices listed above and strengthening the areas for further development.
Children and their families are welcomed into the centre with quiet warmth. To help children settle, they have a key teacher with whom they form a strong bond. This practice makes families feel more comfortable and assured that their children will settle and enjoy their time at the centre.
Relationships between children and teachers are trusting, strong and nurturing. Teachers skilfully and deliberately encourage children to be confident leading their own learning in the programme. This respectful approach is supported through the calm and attentive conversations that teachers have with children.
Teachers have initiated and embedded a strong focus on integrating Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum, into the daily programme whilst maintaining the integrity of the RIE principles. This has led to a rethink and revision of many of the routines and practices that were formerly in place in the centre. As a result, teachers and children are having more frequent and meaningful conversations during play. This enhances children's learning and enjoyment of the programme.
Children are able to make choices from, and explore, a range of activities and experiences. They have long periods of uninterrupted play. Children are invited to take snack breaks to eat when they are ready during the day. These snack times and mealtimes are pleasant and relaxed. The centre provides nourishing midday meals for children with a focus on healthy eating.
Environments encourage children's physical and imaginative play. Infants and toddlers have opportunities to climb, scramble and explore as part of their play. The older children have access to an interesting and challenging playground and a covered deck for activities and play. Teachers foster creativity by providing a wide selection of play and craft materials. Children's early literacy and mathematical understanding is also well supported through play.
Although there are only a small number of children with Māori heritage in the centre, teachers are aware of the need to provide opportunities for all children to learn about New Zealand's dual cultural heritage. Teachers are investigating ways to develop a stronger understanding of te ao Māori. Children with diverse needs are sensitively integrated into programmes and well supported to make developmental progress.
The centre's evaluation processes are robust and effective. Management of the centre is efficient and teachers and families are closely involved in decision-making and planning for the future. Staff appraisal processes and strategic and annual planning are linked to professional development for teachers. Teachers' own reflections and discussions enhance learning programmes.
ERO and management agree that the next steps for the centre are to continue to:
strengthen bicultural and curriculum practices
use evaluation to guide improvements
include children's ideas and perspectives (children's voice) more deliberately in centre processes.
Before the review, the staff and management of The Learning Centre Ltd 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:
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.
The next ERO review of The Learning Centre Ltd will be in four years.
Graham Randell
Deputy Chief Review Officer Northern
12 October 2016
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.
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Location |
Ponsonby, Auckland |
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Ministry of Education profile number |
25335 |
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Licence type |
Education & Care Service |
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Licensed under |
Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008 |
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Number licensed for |
50 children, including up to 20 aged under 2 |
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Service roll |
54 |
||
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Gender composition |
Girls 35 Boys 19 |
||
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Ethnic composition |
Māori Pākehā other |
1 46 7 |
|
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Percentage of qualified teachers 0-49% 50-79% 80%+ Based on funding rates |
80% + |
||
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Reported ratios of staff to children |
Under 2 |
1:4 |
Better than minimum requirements |
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Over 2 |
1:8 |
Better than minimum requirements |
|
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Review team on site |
August 2016 |
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Date of this report |
12 October 2016 |
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Most recent ERO report(s) |
Education Review |
January 2013 |
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|
Education Review |
October 2009 |
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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.
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:
ERO has developed criteria for each category. These are available on ERO’s website.
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.