Waimauku Kindergarten

Education institution number:
10352
Service type:
Free Kindergarten
Definition:
Not Applicable
Total roll:
47
Telephone:
Address:

18 Freshfields Road, Waimauku

View on map

Waimauku Kindergarten - 20/03/2020

1 Evaluation of Waimauku Kindergarten

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

Not well placed

Requires further development

Well placed

Very well placed

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

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

Background

Waimauku Kindergarten is one of 15 early childhood services operating under the umbrella of the Northern Auckland Kindergarten Association, (the association) now trading as Kaitiaki Kindergartens. The service is licensed for 40 children aged over two years. Daily sessions are for a mixed-age group of children from two to five years.

A governing board sets strategic direction for the association. Management of the association’s affairs is the responsibility of the general manager (GM). Two professional practice leaders (PPL) have oversight of teaching and learning, compliance, policy development and leadership. Day-to-day operation in this kindergarten is the responsibility of the head teacher who leads a team of four registered teachers.

Since the April 2015 ERO review, there has been turnover of personnel at management and senior leadership levels. Staffing at the service has been stable over this time.

The kindergarten philosophy emphasises play as a meaningful way for children to explore, test their working theories and learn within a stimulating and inspiring environment, supported by strong whānau relationships. The principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum, underpin the philosophy.

The 2015 ERO evaluation recommended that the teaching team review the philosophy and identify desired outcomes for children as part of their self review. This remains a next step.

This review is one nine in the Northern Auckland Free Kindergarten Association.

The Review Findings

Children are well supported to make choices and decisions about their learning. Strong relationships are developed and valued. Teachers interact respectfully with children and encourage them to develop independence and self-management skills. They know each child well and are responsive to the emerging interests of individuals and groups.

A thoughtfully-planned, well-resourced indoor and outdoor environment invites children to explore, imaginatively, and create and experience challenge. Gardens, fruit trees and native plantings provide meaningful contexts for them to develop their understanding of sustainable practices and kaitiakitanga, guardianship of the land. This learning is highly valued by teachers, children and whānau.

Children have meaningful opportunities to experience te reo and te ao Māori. Te reo Māori is consistently and authentically used by teachers and understood by children. A high level of commitment to bicultural practice is evident in the environment, visual displays and whakapapa. Children know their pepeha. Making more intentional links to te ao Māori in planning documentation and children's portfolios would further strengthen Māori tamariki sense of belonging and identity.

Children are well provided with opportunities to discover, investigate and problem solve. Literacy and mathematics are highly valued. Teachers look for ways to heighten children's awareness of current events and encourage them to authentically respond. Teachers seek and value parents' feedback and aspirations. These are evident in learning stories but should be more clearly documented when describing children's engagement and learning. A next step for leaders and teachers is to evaluate how well their curriculum and assessment practices are supporting children to achieve the valued learning outcomes.

Children with additional needs and those transitioning to school are very well supported. Teachers demonstrate inclusive practices. Children with additional learning needs are identified, planned for and supported by the programme. Leaders and teachers work alongside family and whānau to access association support and external agencies, when required. A well-considered transition process into the service is focused on individual needs. Positive relationships with local schools support children and their families in these transitions.

Teachers are improvement focused, collaborative and value the skills and strengths of each team member. Opportunities to develop leadership skills are provided. Review is used to document teacher practice and children's learning. A more focused approach to evaluation should better enable leaders and teachers to review the effectiveness of their own practice against measurable indicators, and contribute to positive outcomes for children.

Leaders and teachers agree that the philosophy requires renewal so that it better reflects the vision, values and enacted curriculum of the service.

The association has some good processes in place to support teachers. These include an improved inquiry-based appraisal, targeted learning and development opportunities, and access to PPLs' guidance. Assisting teachers to implement and embed the new policy framework and reporting requirements and deciding on the form and function of the PPL role and how this will be enacted in kindergartens, are priorities.

With the appointment of a new board, GM and leadership team, considerable work has been done to review the existing management structures, processes and guidelines for operation, and to improve accountability. The board and GM should continue to review and develop governance and operational roles and responsibilities, in consultation with teachers and the community, to support the sustainability of operation and ensure continuous improvement to outcomes for children.

Key Next Steps

Priorities for teachers are to continue to develop their:

  • bicultural approach

  • understanding and use of internal evaluation

  • philosophy, so that it better reflects the service's vision, values and enacted curriculum.

Management Assurance on Legal Requirements

Before the review, the staff and management of Waimauku 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.

ERO identified areas of non-compliance relating to health and safety, governance and management. The service provider must ensure that:

  • the annual plan identifies 'who', 'what', and 'when' in relation to key tasks undertaken each year

  • there is a written emergency management plan and supplies to ensure the care and safety of children and adults at the service.

Licensing Criteria for Early Childhood Education and Care Centres 2008, GMA8; HS7

Steve Tanner

Director Review and Improvement Services (Northern)

Northern Region - Te Tai Raki

20 March 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 Early Childhood Service

Location

Waimauku

Ministry of Education profile number

10352

Licence type

Free Kindergarten

Licensed under

Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008

Number licensed for

40 children aged over two years

Service roll

69

Gender composition

Male 41, Female 28

Ethnic composition

Māori
NZ European/Pākehā
Other Ethnicities

19
44
6

Percentage of qualified teachers

80% +

Reported ratios of staff to children

Over 2

1:10

Meets minimum requirements

Review team on site

November 2019

Date of this report

20 March 2020

Most recent ERO report(s)

Education Review

April 2015

Education Review

February 2012

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.

Waimauku Kindergarten - 13/04/2015

1 Evaluation of Waimauku Kindergarten

How well placed is Waimauku 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

Waimauku Kindergarten is located in a semi-rural community in West Auckland. Four qualified teachers provide sessional and full day education and care for up to 40 local children over two years of age. Twenty two percent of children enrolled are Māori.

The kindergarten operates under the guidance of the Northern Auckland Kindergarten Association (NAKA). The Association provides the kindergarten with a framework of policies and procedures. A Teacher Services Manager regularly visits the kindergarten and offers the team useful professional support and guidance.

The 2012 ERO report highlighted the strengths of the kindergarten as having a child centred programme supported by quality teaching, stimulating environments and effective partnerships with families. Leadership and self review were also effective. Areas for development were programme planning and documentation for individual children, and increasing the use of whānau contribution in portfolios. The teaching team has responded very positively to these suggestions.

The Review Findings

Children are active, confident learners and communicators. They have trusting, respectful relationships with adults and play co-operatively together. The thoughtfully resourced, attractive and spacious environment allows children to follow their interests, and be truly creative. Children display a real sense of belonging in the kindergarten environment.

Positive relationships with parents/whānau are valued by the teaching team. Teachers are responsive to parent aspirations for their children’s learning and to their feedback. Good opportunities are provided for parents to learn about effective early childhood education. Interesting quotations scattered throughout children’s portfolios and the environment link the programme to history’s great educators.

The high quality learning environment and teaching practices provide authentic opportunities for children to engage in both oral and written literacy. Science and mathematics also feature strongly. Children have good opportunities to explore the use of information and communication technologies through the use of iPads.

Programme planning processes are highly effective. Programmes are very responsive to children’s interests, strengths and abilities. Individual learning stories highlight the value placed on literacy, creativity and family and community. Links to Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum, are meaningful for parents.

Teaching practices are highly successful in promoting positive outcomes for children. Teachers work alongside children, and are sensitive and responsive to children’s requests. Their shared understandings of effective teaching practices promote children’s initiative, problem solving and social skills. They support children to be leaders in their own learning and that of others.

Scholarship money accessed through the association has supported the development of a relevant bicultural curriculum. A tutor of Māori currently attends one session per week, working alongside children and teachers. This opportunity has enabled teachers to model themselves as learners and to promote understandings of te ao Māori in authentic ways throughout the kindergarten.

NAKA provides good access to professional development. Appraisal processes have recently been reviewed and improved. The well led teaching team is open to rigorous discussion around centre practices and strategic direction. Self review is well used to identify successes and needs and enables teachers to improve their practice, systems and environments.

The team has acknowledged that it is timely to review their philosophy statement to align better with current practice and to consider identifying outcomes for children in their self-review findings.

Management Assurance on Legal Requirements

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

Dale Bailey

Deputy Chief Review Officer Northern

13 April 2015

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

Waimauku, Auckland

Ministry of Education profile number

10352

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

67

Gender composition

Boys 42 Girls 25

Ethnic composition

Māori

Pākehā

Samoan

Scottish

other

15

45

2

2

3

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

February 2015

Date of this report

13 April 2015

Most recent ERO report(s)

Education Review

February 2012

 

Education Review

September 2008

 

Education Review

June 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.