61 Beaumonts Way, Manurewa, 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 are the basis for making judgements about the effectiveness of the service in achieving equity and excellence for all learners. Judgements are made in relation to the Outcomes Indicators, Learning and Organisational Conditions. The Evaluation Judgement Rubric derived from the indicators, is used to inform ERO’s judgements about this service’s performance in promoting equity and excellence.
ERO’s judgements for Covenant Kids Preschool are as follows:
Outcome Indicators(What the service knows about outcomes for learners) | Whāngai Establishing |
Ngā Akatoro Domains | |
Learning ConditionsOrganisational Conditions | Whāngai Establishing Whāngai Establishing |
Covenant Kids Preschool is one of five services governed by the Manukau Christian Charitable Trust. A general manager and an education advisor work closely with the teaching team. Many of the children enrolled are Indian, and there is a small number of Māori and Pacific children.
Children make independent play choices in a well-resourced environment. This enables a sense of belonging, resulting in children making confident choices and challenging themselves physically. Children use a range of positive strategies to play and learn with and alongside others. Opportunities to take part in ongoing excursions help children’s connections with the wider world and create a sense of community at this service.
Children learn about the languages and cultures of others through participating in language weeks and centre events. The daily curriculum provides children and their parents with opportunities to share their languages and cultures. The environment reflects aspects of te ao Māori (the Māori world), including basic Māori words and some tikanga Māori practices.
Children with additional needs are well supported through partnerships with external agencies. They benefit from additional teachers employed to provide them with one-to-one support.
Teachers plan collectively for all children. They are building a shared understanding of how to use the learning outcomes in Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum, to assess children’s learning. The service is yet to document evidence of children’s progress over time.
There is an established system for internal evaluation. Leaders’ and teachers' collective engagement in evaluation processes is not yet evident.
Those responsible for governance and management ensure that:
There is some evidence these strategies have had a positive impact on improved teacher practice and children’s learning outcomes.
Covenant Kids Preschool will include the following actions in its Quality Improvement Planning:
Build teachers’ shared knowledge and understanding of how to:
Before the review, the staff and management of Covenant Kids Preschool completed an ERO 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.
Patricia Davey
Director of Early Childhood Education (ECE)
14 December 2023
| Early Childhood Service Name | Covenant Kids Preschool |
| Profile Number | 10344 |
| Location | Manurewa, Auckland |
| Service type | Education and care service |
| Number licensed for | 40 children over the age of 2 |
| Percentage of qualified teachers | 100% |
| Service roll | 39 |
| Review team on site | September 2023 |
| Date of this report | 14 December 2023 |
| Most recent ERO report(s) | Education Review, February 2019; Education Review, August 2015 |
Not well placed | Requires further development | Well placed | Very well placed |
Covenant Kids Preschool is well placed to promote positive learning outcomes for children.
ERO's findings that support this overall judgement are summarised below.
Covenant Kids Preschool is a well-established centre, and serves a multi-cultural community in Manurewa. It offers full-day and sessional learning programmes for 40 children aged over two years.
The preschool is one of four owned and operated by the Manukau Christian Charitable Trust (MCCT). A Christian philosophy and related values guide teaching practice and centre operations. The trust employs a general manager to oversee the preschool, an education advisor who provides programme support, and a head teacher to lead day-to-day management.
Since the last ERO evaluation in 2015, there have been significant changes at the centre. These changes include:
Some good progress has been made in relation to next steps identified in the 2015 ERO report. These areas include the development of a strategic plan and documenting self review. Work has begun on strengthening programme planning and implementation to be more responsive to children's individual learning needs and dispositions. This is an ongoing priority.
Children and their whānau are warmly welcomed into the well-resourced centre. A caring and respectful culture is evident. Children independently access a wide range of play equipment, and settle quickly into self-directed exploration, learning activities and play. Children are happy, settled and engaged. They play well with and alongside each other.
Teachers value children's languages and cultures. Their inclusive conversations foster children's vocabulary and language development. Bilingual teachers support children, parents and grandparents whose first language is not English. Portfolios and learning stories reflect children's cultural backgrounds. These strategies help to support children's sense of belonging in the centre.
Teachers use te reo Māori and waiata during the day and in centre displays. They plan to further build their knowledge and capability in te reo and tikanga Māori, so children can benefit from an integrated bicultural curriculum.
The centre has recently reviewed and made positive changes to the planning of learning programmes. These changes are now being implemented. Teachers are beginning to better recognise and respond to the dispositions and emerging interests of individual children. They are making more explicit links to Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum, in programme planning.
Consistent centre routines are used to provide a balance between teacher-led activities and children's free play. Leaders and teachers could evaluate this balance and the impact from providing more opportunities for children to enjoy uninterrupted play.
Leaders are committed to ongoing professional learning, which includes:
Governance and leadership of the centre has been strengthened. A relevant three year strategic plan is used well by leaders and the trust to review the centre's progress. Internal evaluation processes have been established to ensure continuous centre improvement.
Trustees and leaders have a strong commitment to supporting the wellbeing and professional development of the new teaching team. Graduate teachers are supported well by the centre manager and education advisor. The staff appraisal system has recently been introduced. Teachers will need ongoing support and guidance as these processes continue to embed.
Centre leaders agree that key next steps include continuing to:
Before the review, the staff and management of Covenant Kids Preschool 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 Covenant Kids Preschool will be in three years.
Steve Tanner
Director Review and Improvement Services Northern
Northern Region
19 February 2019
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 | Manurewa, Auckland | ||
| Ministry of Education profile number | 10344 | ||
| Licence type | Education & Care Service | ||
| Licensed under | Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008 | ||
| Number licensed for | 40 children aged over 2 years | ||
| Service roll | 46 | ||
| Gender composition | Girls 25 Boys 21 | ||
| Ethnic composition | Māori Pākehā Indian Chinese Tongan other ethnic groups | 11 6 9 4 4 12 | |
| Percentage of qualified teachers | 80% + | ||
| Reported ratios of staff to children | Over 2 | 1:7 | Better than minimum requirements |
| Review team on site | January 2019 | ||
| Date of this report | 19 February 2019 | ||
Most recent ERO report(s)
| Education Review | August 2015 | |
| Education Review | August 2012 | ||
| Education Review | May 2009 | ||
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:
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.
|
Not well placed |
Requires further development |
Well placed |
Very well placed |
ERO's findings that support this overall judgement are summarised below.
Covenant Kids Preschool is a purpose-built centre located in Manurewa and is situated on the same premises as the Covenant Presbyterian Church and Manukau Christian School. The well established centre is founded on Christian values and beliefs. The centre is a ministry of the Covenant Presbyterian Church. It provides education and care for up to 40 children over the age of two years.
A management board oversees the service’s operations. Daily management of the centre is the responsibility of the head teacher, supported by a senior teacher and four qualified teachers.
The centre philosophy clearly outlines the intentions of the centre and underpins teaching practices. It focuses on providing a special Christian character that permeates across centre systems and operations. Children are valued and respected as unique individuals.
The centre has responded well to the 2012 ERO report. Professional development has been undertaken to help staff review provision for Māori children and to strengthen existing emergent curriculum planning practices. The 2012 ERO report also commented on the supportive, caring relationships amongst children, families and teachers, the inclusive atmosphere and children’s strong sense of belonging. These positive features continue to be evident in the centre.
Children are happy and settled at the centre and are respected as confident and capable learners. Children enjoy learning together with their peers and teachers and play independently. They have access to a variety of resources and move freely between the indoor and outdoor environments. Children have opportunities to explore literacy, numeracy and science.
Teachers’ interactions with children are respectful and affirming. They work alongside children in ways that are inclusive and foster their wellbeing. Teachers’ welcoming and gentle approach supports children’s learning and sense of worth.
Teachers provide good information to parents about children’s transition into the centre. When children are nearing the move on to school, a daily transition to school group programme focuses on the centre’s ‘Before School Vision’. It is timely for teachers to review the extent to which this programme reflects current theories and best practice, and its effectiveness in promoting positive learning outcomes for children.
Teachers are aware of the importance of bicultural practices and are committed to acknowledging the unique place of Māori as tangata whenua. They are currently involved in a centre-wide self review that is focused on bicultural practices within the centre. Teachers’ use of te reo Māori and strengthening partnerships with whānau are valued and encouraged. They acknowledge that the use of Tātaiako - Cultural Competencies for Teachers of Māori Learners could increase teacher skill and capability in their practice.
Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum underpins the learning environment. Teachers have been involved in professional development to strengthen the curriculum in order to allow more opportunities for children to follow their own interests. Teachers’ good knowledge of families helps them to support children to inquire into their own learning. Children’s portfolios could now reflect the diverse cultures of children at the centre.
The centre is establishing a culture of ongoing improvement. Self-review systems continue to be strengthened. Planned and informal self review is consultative and guides teacher practice. Teachers benefit from the professional development recently provided. The newly developed appraisal system provides opportunities for teachers to reflect on and develop their practice. Leadership opportunities for teachers are being supported and further developed.
The centre is thoughtfully governed and managed. The management board is working to ensure all places on the board are filled. They are also investigating a new leadership structure at the centre that should contribute to success in improving outcomes for children.
Centre managers and teachers agree that the key next steps include:
Before the review, the staff and management of Covenant Kids Preschool 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 Covenant Kids Preschool will be in three years.
Graham Randell
Deputy Chief Review Officer Northern (Acting)
28 August 2015
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 |
Manurewa, Auckland |
||
|
Ministry of Education profile number |
10344 |
||
|
Licence type |
Education & Care Service |
||
|
Licensed under |
Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008 |
||
|
Number licensed for |
40 children, including up to 0 aged under 2 |
||
|
Service roll |
47 |
||
|
Gender composition |
Girls 24 Boys 23 |
||
|
Ethnic composition |
Māori Pākehā African Indian Samoan Tongan Asian others |
8 21 3 3 3 3 2 4 |
|
|
Percentage of qualified teachers 0-49% 50-79% 80% Based on funding rates |
80% |
||
|
Reported ratios of staff to children |
Over 2 |
1:8 |
Better than minimum requirements |
|
Review team on site |
July 2015 |
||
|
Date of this report |
28 August 2015 |
||
|
Most recent ERO report(s) |
Education Review |
August 2012 |
|
|
Education Review |
May 2009 |
||
|
Supplementary Review |
June 2006 |
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:
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.