36 A Fonblanque Street, Westport
View on map|
Not well placed |
Requires further development |
Well placed |
Very well placed |
ERO's findings that support this overall judgement are summarised below.
Westport Playcentre is a long-established, parent-led early childhood education service in Westport. The centre provides three morning sessions each week for children up to school age. It also provides an afternoon SPACE session (Supporting Parents Alongside Children's Education). This session is especially planned to support first-time parents and their babies. The centre roll has fluctuated due to changes in employment opportunities, however numbers are beginning to rise again. Currently about 10 to 15 children attend the morning sessions.
The sessions are led by paid team leaders and playcentre members who are gaining playcentre qualifications by being involved in the adult-education training programme provided by the association.
Westport Playcentre is one of nine playcentres within the Buller/Westland Playcentre Association. Three of these playcentres operate as certified playgroups. The association is made up of a very small group of dedicated paid and elected members. The association provides a framework for centre management and operations, as well as parent education programmes and personnel to support centre members.
The Buller/Westland Playcentre Association is experiencing a time of change as all playcentre associations throughout New Zealand merge with the New Zealand Playcentre Federation to reduce duplication and make cost savings. This restructure will mean significant changes at the local association level.
ERO's 2012 report noted a number of areas for review and development. These included strategic and annual planning, self review, assessment and the bicultural programme. ERO found improvements in most of these areas. Assessment practices still require further development.
This review was part of a cluster of five playcentre reviews in the Buller/Westland Playcentre Association.
The programmes that the team leaders and centre members provide for children are underpinned by the overarching playcentre philosophy of whānau and children learning together in an enjoyable and nurturing learning environment. Centre members have very recently begun to think about the values that are important to them to guide them as they work with children. The next step is for them to develop a philosophy specifically for the Westport Playcentre that includes these important values and their agreed desired learning outcomes for their children.
Children and their families show a sense of belonging to Westport Playcentre. Centre members have made a deliberate effort to make the playcentre a welcoming place, especially for new families. Children settle quickly on arrival. They play with and alongside each other and independently make choices about what they want to do.
The parents and team leaders follow the children's play and interests. They are guided by the team leader during the pre-session discussion to think of ways to build and extend children's ideas. They work respectfully and attentively with their own and other children. Centre members use the written prompts on display to speak a little te reo Māori with the children. They nurture tuakana-teina relationships by the way they include older and younger children in the sessions. A shared kai time prepared by a community volunteer brings children and adults together. The adults encourage children to lead the karakia and use this time to introduce children to items of curiosity or wonder.
Other positive aspects of the programme that support children's learning and development include:
Babies are well provided for. There is a range of interesting resources and a separate safe area for them to play.
Centre members are involved in professional development to improve assessment planning and evaluation practices. All members need to continue to build their knowledge and grow their confidence with this. In particular they need to ensure that:
Some parents are actively involved in the adult-education programme. It is important that the playcentre finds ways to encourage more members to participate in this training as the sessions rely on parent educators who hold playcentre training.
Centre self review (internal evaluation) has brought about many useful improvements. The process of self review would be improved by using an evaluative question and relevant indicators at all stages of the evaluation.
The playcentre has an annual action plan designed to ensure the smooth running of the playcentre. This is a well-thought-out document, giving members clear direction for the year.
The Buller/Westland Playcentre Association has a strategic plan to help guide the association work. This, along with each playcentre's annual action plan, should be more formally monitored. Currently the association provides a policy framework for all the playcentres. This will change as the playcentres merge under Playcentre Aotearoa next year. Some policies and procedures within the association need immediate development to give better guidance to playcentres. These include:
The New Zealand Playcentre Federation, the current Buller/Westland Playcentre Association, playcentre team leaders and parents need to continue to:
Before the review, the staff and management of Westport 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:
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.
The next ERO review of Westport Playcentre will be in three years.
Lesley Patterson
Deputy Chief Review Officer Southern
18 August 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.
|
Location |
Westport |
||
|
Ministry of Education profile number |
65218 |
||
|
Licence type |
Playcentre |
||
|
Licensed under |
Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008 |
||
|
Number licensed for |
30 children, including up to 15 aged under 2 |
||
|
Service roll |
27 |
||
|
Gender composition |
Girls: 18 Boys: 9 |
||
|
Ethnic composition |
Māori |
8 |
|
|
Percentage of qualified teachers 0-49% 50-79% 80%+ Based on funding rates |
Parent Led |
||
|
Reported ratios of staff to children |
Under 2 |
1:5 |
Meets minimum requirements |
|
Over 2 |
1:5 |
Better than minimum requirements |
|
|
Review team on site |
June 2016 |
||
|
Date of this report |
18 August 2016 |
||
|
Most recent ERO report(s)
|
Education Review |
June 2012 |
|
|
Education Review |
March 2008 |
||
|
Education Review |
May 2005 |
||
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.
Westport Playcentre functions as a cooperative where all parents take responsibility and share leadership for the day-to-day operation of the centre. The playcentre association supports parents in training towards a diploma in early childhood and adult education.
The centre has experienced significant roll growth recently.
Children learn in a warm, welcoming and caring environment in which their individual abilities, needs and interests are valued. ERO observed children well engaged in their play for long periods of time.
Other positive features of the centre include:
The centre has made progress in addressing the recommendations of the previous ERO review. They have developed good systems for planning and assessing the programme. Meetings before and after sessions provide useful information to support programme planning. ERO observed some good examples of adults extending children’s thinking and learning.
Areas for review and development include:
ERO is likely to review the playcentre again in three years.
Before the review, the management of Westport Playcentre was invited to consider its priorities for review using guidelines and resources provided by ERO. ERO also used documentation provided by the centre to contribute to the scope of the review.
The detailed priorities for review were then determined following a discussion between the ERO review team and the management and staff. This discussion focused on existing information held by the centre (including self-review information) and the extent to which potential issues for review contributed to positive outcomes for children atWestport Playcentre.
All ERO education reviews in early childhood focus on the quality of education. For ERO this includes the quality of:
ERO’s findings in these areas are set out below.
The playcentre’s philosophy is strongly reflected in the caring relationships that enhance children’s confidence and participation in learning. Parents work cooperatively as teams and are actively involved in the programme. They continue to take part in professional development focused on improving the quality of education they provide for children.
Children learn in a supportive environment that enhances their well-being and sense of belonging. Teams of adults respond positively to children’s needs and respect children’s decisions and choices. They model friendly, cooperative attitudes that children can learn from. Team members value the companionship and support of other adults.
Session team members have developed well-managed, flexible routines that children are familiar with. Children confidently select their own play and remain at the activity for as long as they wish. They have easy access to resources and learn about the world around them through planned excursions into the community. ERO observed some good examples of adults extending children’s learning and thinking.
Teams collaboratively plan a programme that has a sense of purpose and results in children’s effective participation in play. The programme is clearly linked to Te Whāriki, the New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum. Teams discuss each child’s interests, next step in learning and activity that would support further learning. This approach builds a shared understanding of how to meet children’s learning needs and sustain effective practice.
The centre has a well structured annual plan that provides clear direction for improving children’s learning and care. Feedback sought from parents has contributed to the plan’s development. Progress in achieving the annual plan goals is monitored through discussion at monthly management meetings. The next step for team leaders is to focus more on the expected outcomes and how they will be measured so that progress against goals can be effectively monitored.
The centre is involved in some useful self review. The centre has guidelines that are easy for team leaders to follow. Links are apparent between review and annual planning. Timelines have been established for the review of equipment, policies and the physical environment. A next step is to develop a similar timeline for reviews that cover the programme, assessment, learning and teaching.
Children respond to learning more effectively when their culture is acknowledged and supported. They develop confidence to participate when they experience a sense of belonging. Team leaders need to continue to develop an overall understanding of ways the centre practices can help Māori children, and children from other cultures, to feel included.
Parents contribute to the assessment process. Centre team leaders should continue to extend assessment practices that lead to identifying the specific learning that children achieve.
A strategic plan should be developed that clearly defines the centre’s long term objectives and provides guidance for all aspects of its planning, programmes and operation.
Before the review, the staff of Westport Playcentre completed an ERO Centre Assurance Statement and Self-Audit Checklist. In these documents they have attested that they have taken all reasonable steps to meet their legal obligations related to:
During the review, ERO looked at the service’s documentation, including policies, procedures and records of recent use of procedures. ERO also checked elements of the following areas that have a potentially high impact on outcomes for children:
ERO is likely to review the service again in three years.
Graham Randell
National Manager Review Services
Southern Region
|
Type |
Playcentre |
|
Licensed under |
Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008 |
|
Number licensed for |
30 children, including up to 15 aged under two |
|
Roll number |
78 |
|
Gender composition |
Girls 43; Boys 35 |
|
Ethnic composition |
New Zealand European Pākehā 61; Māori 7; Asian 2; Other 8 |
|
Review team on site |
March 2012 |
|
Date of this report |
1 June 2012 |
|
Previous three ERO reports
|
Education Report March 2008 Education Review May 2005 Accountability Review January 2000 |
These are the findings of the Education Review Office’s latest report on Westport Playcentre.
Westport Playcentre functions as a cooperative where all parents take responsibility and share leadership for the day-to-day operation of the centre. The playcentre association supports parents in training towards a diploma in early childhood and adult education.
The centre has experienced significant roll growth recently.
Children learn in a warm, welcoming and caring environment in which their individual abilities, needs and interests are valued. ERO observed children well engaged in their play for long periods of time.
Other positive features of the centre include:
The centre has made progress in addressing the recommendations of the previous ERO review. They have developed good systems for planning and assessing the programme. Meetings before and after sessions provide useful information to support programme planning. ERO observed some good examples of adults extending children’s thinking and learning.
Areas for review and development include:
ERO is likely to review the playcentre again in three years.
When ERO has reviewed an early childhood centre we encourage management to inform their community of any follow up action they plan to take. You should talk to the management or contact person if you have any questions about this evaluation, the full ERO report or their future intentions.
If you would like a copy of the full report, please contact the centre or see the ERO website, http://www.ero.govt.nz.
Graham Randell
National Manager Review Services
Southern Region
ERO is an independent, external evaluation agency that undertakes reviews of schools and early childhood services throughout New Zealand.
ERO follows a set of standard procedures to conduct reviews. The purpose of each review is to:
Reviews are intended to focus on outcomes for children and build on each centre’s self review.
ERO’s framework for reviewing and reporting is based on four review strands.
Quality of Education – including the quality of the programme provided for children, the quality of the learning environment and the quality of the interactions between staff and children and how these impact on outcomes for children.
Additional Review Priorities – other aspects of the operation of a centre, may be included in the review. ERO will not include this strand in all reviews.
Compliance with Legal Requirements – assurance that this centre has taken all reasonable steps to meet legal requirements.
ERO reviews do not cover every aspect of centre performance and each ERO report may cover different issues. The aim is to provide information on aspects that are central to positive outcomes for children and useful to this centre.
Most ERO reports include recommendations for improvement. A recommendation on a particular issue does not necessarily mean that a centre is performing poorly in relation to that issue. There is no direct link between the number of recommendations in this report and the overall performance of this centre.