Welcome Bay Playcentre

Education institution number:
40009
Service type:
Playcentre
Definition:
Not Applicable
Total roll:
43
Telephone:
Address:

333 Welcome Bay Road, Welcome Bay, Tauranga

View on map

Welcome Bay Playcentre - 21/02/2019

1 Evaluation of Welcome Bay Playcentre

How well placed is Welcome Bay Playcentre to promote positive learning outcomes for children?

Not well placed

Requires further development

Well placed

Very well placed

Welcome Bay Playcentre is well placed to promote positive learning outcomes for children.

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

Background

Welcome Bay Playcentre is a parent-led education and care service located in Tauranga. It caters for children from birth to school age and operates three mixed-age morning sessions per week. The playcentre is licensed for 25 children including up to 15 under the age of two years. The current roll of 51 children includes six who identify as Māori.

During 2018 the New Zealand Playcentre Federation transitioned from operating with 32 regional associations to become one national body with six regional offices. In the central North Island six associations have merged into a regional hub renamed Playcentre Aotearoa Central North Island Region that now includes 95 playcentres over a large geographic area. During this transition there is some overlap between associations and the new national regional systems and processes. Treaty of Waitangi and self-determination for Māori is evident through the whānau developed strategic plan, Te Mahere established roopu that provide whānau networks. At Welcome Bay Playcentre the president is supported by a committee of parent members. A role model, centre administrator and support worker are provided by governance.

Through their national philosophy the playcentre places emphasis on whānau tupu ngatahi – families growing together. They empower adults and children to play, work and grow together and value and affirm parents as first and best educators of their children.

Welcome Bay Playcentre has a positive reporting history with ERO. Since the last ERO review in 2015 a co-president has been appointed, a new philosophy has been developed and a designated infants and toddlers area established.

This review was part of a cluster of five playcentres in the Central North Island Region.  

The Review Findings

Positive and affirming interactions between parents and children contribute to a settled inclusive environment. Centre members gather a range of assessment information for individual children. Children in the mixed-age groups play well together. They participate in sustained individual and group learning experiences.

Aspects of the programme that support children’s learning and sense of themselves as capable and confident learners include:

  • the effective integration of literacy and numeracy
  • detailed session evaluations
  • a stronger focus on te reo and tikanga Māori
  • opportunities for children to make links with the wider community including the adjacent school.

Individual portfolios clearly show children’s progress and achievement.

The spacious and safe learning environment encourages active exploration and investigation through children’s individual and group play. Suitably planned play areas cater well for children’s interests and physical development. Children have extensive access to a wide range of high-quality equipment and resources. 

There is a designated under-two area that allows older children to visit yet still maintain a safe area for the babies. Parents support one another in caring for children under-two, ensuring that their individual needs are met.

Dedicated centre members work collaboratively to effectively lead operations, and the programme for children. They provide a collaborative leadership with clear roles and responsibilities and communicate well with one another and community. Parents’ strengths and abilities are used to provide good role models to benefit children’s learning experiences. Children demonstrate a sense of wellbeing and belonging.

The Playcentre Aotearoa overarching strategic and individual annual plans guide the playcentre direction and focus on building capability through parent education programmes. There has been regular communication and support between the association and regions through the restructure. Existing policies and systems support centre operations until new systems developed by Playcentre Aotearoa are implemented. The playcentre philosophy and vision are clearly documented and strategic goals set, now there is a need to measure the impact and outcomes for children.

Key Next Steps

ERO and centre management agree that the next steps are to:

  • continue to  integrate te reo Māori in centre programmes and investigate local  history
  • strengthen the documentation of self review
  • link strategic objectives with the annual plan
  • build parent educational knowledge of the revised early childhood curriculum Te Whāriki  in order to continue develop a localised curriculum.

Management Assurance on Legal Requirements

Before the review, the staff and management of Welcome Bay Playcentre 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 Welcome Bay Playcentre will be in three years.

Phil Cowie
Director Review and Improvement Services

Central Region

21 February 2019 

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

Tauranga

Ministry of Education profile number

40009

Licence type

Playcentre

Licensed under

Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008

Number licensed for

25 children, including up to 15 aged under 2

Service roll

35

Gender composition

Boys                      21
Girls                       14

Ethnic composition

Māori
Pākehā
Other

  6
25
  4

Percentage of qualified teachers

0-49%

Review team on site

December 2018

Date of this report

21 February 2019

Most recent ERO report(s)

Education Review

March 2015

Education Review

March 2012

Education Review

February 2009

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.

Welcome Bay Playcentre - 31/03/2015

1 Evaluation of Welcome Bay Playcentre

How well placed is Welcome Bay Playcentre 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

Welcome Bay Playcentre is a parent-led co-operative that provides sessional education and care for children from birth to school age in a mixed-age environment. It is situated adjacent to Welcome Bay Primary School, and is licensed for 25 children including 15 up to two years old.

The playcentre’s philosophy, developed with the association, places strong emphases on adults learning alongside one another, child-initiated play, recognition of Aotearoa/New Zealand’s bicultural heritage, and empowering families to make informed decisions about how to best provide for their children/tamariki. The playcentre is also in the process of creating a specific centre philosophy that outlines the values and beliefs that are important to them. Parents at Welcome Bay Playcentre place great emphasis on parents learning alongside their children, and learning from each other.

The playcentre operates under the umbrella of the Western Bay of Plenty Playcentre Association (WBOPPA). Parents benefit from the support and guidance of a centre liaison officer and a centre administration officer, provided by the association. WBOPPA also provides useful documentation and frameworks to guide centre operations. These guidelines are underpinned by the association’s philosophy that is highly evident in practice.

Parents have responded proactively to the 2012 ERO report. Professional development has resulted in improved assessment practices and more emphasis on the emergent curriculum. The introduction of workshop evenings has provided an opportunity for parents to come together and work alongside each other in providing support and guidance about documenting children's learning. Parents also benefit from the knowledge, support and guidance of the centre president and the association’s liaison officer.

This review was part of a cluster of five reviews in the Western Bay of Plenty Playcentre Association.

The Review Findings

Children benefit from positive and respectful interactions with adults. Parents are responsive to children’s interests and needs. Children feel comfortable about approaching other adults and parents are empowered to respond to the needs of all children. Affirming, collaborative relationships among parents are reflected in children’s sharing and caring for each other. Children and their parents from different cultures and backgrounds are welcomed and included in the playcentre.

Infants and toddlers are well nurtured and cared for by their parents and other adults. There is an emphasis on respectful relationships, natural every-day resources, and responding to children’s natural rhythms.

The indoor learning environment has been recently reviewed and significantly reorganised to provide a range of appropriate spaces for play and learning. Both indoor and outdoor environments are welcoming and interesting for children. Easy access to equipment and the indoor-outdoor flow, allows children to follow interests and manage choices about their play. Outdoor equipment promotes a wide range of physical challenges.

The programme is continually based on children’s emerging interests and strengths that are extended through increasingly complex play opportunities. Literacy and mathematics are integrated into discussions and areas of play. There are some examples of parent use of te reo and tikanga Māori. There is a focus on ensuring that older children are engaged in challenging activities.

End-of-session evaluations guide planning for further sessions. Assessment has been an area of continuing development and progress. Children's portfolios provide good information of children's play and learning. Examples of good assessment practice include:

  • a range of examples of learning
  • parents’ aspirations and evaluations
  • learning that shows increasing complexity over time
  • the inclusion of rich descriptions and contributions from other centre members.

Both indoor and outdoor learning environments are spacious and attractively presented. A wide range of well-considered resources is easily accessed by children. Children’s learning is visible on wall displays. The environment is organised to promote creative expression, physical challenge, and social and dramatic play.

Parents work collaboratively to lead and manage the centre. They bring a range of skills and experiences to their roles and responsibilities and these also enhance children’s learning. Members as leaders also bring a range of specialist expertise and interests to their roles and responsibilities. There is a collaborative approach to leadership, management and centre planning.

Key Next Steps

  • continue to develop self-review and annual planning processes
  • continue to implement strategies that support children’s oral language development
  • implement a bicultural and multi-cultural curriculum and increase the use of te reo Māori in the playcentre programme
  • continue to develop the designated infants and toddlers area
  • explore ways to further facilitate children’s smooth transition to school.

Management Assurance on Legal Requirements

Before the review, the staff and management of Welcome Bay Playcentre 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 Welcome Bay Playcentre will be in three years.

Dale Bailey

Deputy Chief Review Officer Northern

31 March 2015

2 Information about the Early Childhood Service

Location

Tauranga

Ministry of Education profile number

40009

Licence type

Playcentre

Licensed under

Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008

Number licensed for

25 children, including up to 15 aged under 2

Service roll

25

Gender composition

Girls 15

Boys 10

Ethnic composition

Pākehā

Māori

19

6

Review team on site

February 2015

Date of this report

31 March 2015

Most recent ERO report(s)

Education Review

March 2012

 

Education Review

February 2009

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.