165 Tutaki Road, Kelvin Grove, Palmerston North
View on mapNatureSpace Early Learning
NatureSpace Early Learning
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 |
At the time of the review, ERO found the service was taking reasonable steps to meet regulatory standards.
Background
Previously known as The Secret Garden, NatureSpace Early Learning changed ownership in February 2022. Children play in two separate age-based areas and have access to large outdoor play spaces. A small number of Māori and Pacific children attend.
The centre philosophy emphasises relationships, environment and identity as its core values.
Summary of Review Findings
Children experience a programme that is consistent with Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum. A language-rich environment supports their learning. The philosophy guides the service operation.
Meaningful, positive interactions between adults and children nurture reciprocal relationships. Children’s preferences are respected, and they are involved in decisions about their learning. The curriculum responds to their interests and they are seen as confident and competent learners.
Health and safety procedures are monitored, and changes made as required. The premises and facilities are resourced to provide for the learning and abilities of all children attending.
Key Next Steps
Next steps include:
-
Improve the extent to which assessment information shows children’s progress and learning over time.
-
Strengthen the extent to which information documented about children’s learning reflects their identities, languages and cultures.
-
Increase the opportunities children have, to hear and speak te reo Māori in meaningful contexts.
Next ERO Review
The next ERO review is likely to be an Akarangi | Quality Evaluation.
Phil Cowie
Director Review and Improvement Services (Central)
Central Region | Te Tai Pūtahi Nui
28 October 2022
Information About the Service
Early Childhood Service Name |
NatureSpace Early Learning |
Profile Number |
46654 |
Location |
Kelvin Grove, Palmerston North |
Service type |
Education and care service |
Number licensed for |
65 children, including up to 25 aged under 2 |
Percentage of qualified teachers |
80-99% |
Service roll |
84 |
Review team on site |
September 2022 |
Date of this report |
28 October 2022 |
Most recent ERO report(s) |
Akanuku | Assurance Review, May 2021; Education Review, June 2017 |
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 regulatory 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; safety checking; teacher certification; ratios)
-
relevant evacuation procedures and practices.
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.
The Secret Garden Gables Childcare
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
The Secret Garden Gables Childcare is in the rural outskirts of Palmerston North. It is one of two Secret Garden early learning services in Manawatū. The centre owner has overall responsibility for governance and management. She is supported by two centre leaders.
Summary of Review Findings
The service’s philosophy guides all aspects of operation. The curriculum provides a range of learning experiences and opportunities that enhance children’s learning. Children have opportunities to develop an understanding of the cultural heritages of both parties to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Children’s social competency and learning are supported in a language rich environment. Regular opportunities are provided for whānau to be involved in decision making concerning their child’s learning.
During the onsite visit, procedures for daily hazard checking and medication administration have been strengthened to clearly demonstrate criteria requirements.
Actions for Compliance
Since the onsite visit the service has provided ERO with evidence that shows it has addressed the following non-compliances:
- ensuring all nappy changing facilities are located near to handwashing facilities, are suitable for the age/weight of children attending and ensure children’s independence and right to privacy [PF25]
- having a written procedure for safety checking all children’s workers that meets all requirements of the Children’s Act 2014 and documentation that demonstrates all components have been completed [GMA7A].
Next ERO Review
The next ERO review is likely to be an Akarangi | Quality Evaluation.
Phil Cowie
Director Review and Improvement Services (Central)
Central Region | Te Tai Pūtahi Nui
18 May 2021
Information About the Service
Early Childhood Service Name |
The Secret Garden Gables Childcare |
Profile Number |
46654 |
Location |
Palmerston North |
Service type |
Education and care service |
Number licensed for |
65 children, including up to 25 aged under 2. |
Percentage of qualified teachers |
80%+ |
Service roll |
79 |
Ethnic composition |
Māori 8, NZ European/Pākehā 68, other ethnic groups 3. |
Review team on site |
March 2021 |
Date of this report |
18 May 2021 |
Most recent ERO report(s) |
Education Review, June 2017. |
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.