16 Buxton Street, Point Chevalier, 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 The Point Early Childhood Centre are as follows:
Outcome Indicators(What the service knows about outcomes for learners) | Whakawhanake Sustaining |
Ngā Akatoro Domains | |
Learning ConditionsOrganisational Conditions | Whakawhanake Sustaining Whakawhanake Sustaining |
The Point Early Childhood Centre is one of two services under the same ownership. The centre operates in a renovated villa and a purpose-built infant and toddler centre that provides three separate areas for children according to their age and development. Governance and curriculum are overseen by the qualified manager and director. A small number of tamariki Māori and Pacific are enrolled.
Children are well supported to express their imagination, feelings and ideas through the centre’s Reggio Emilia and inquiry-based approach to learning. The professional learning of leaders and kaiako has supported all age groups of children to express their feelings and ideas in their daily learning. Infants, toddlers and children experience a curriculum that fosters their communication, sense of belonging and social competence.
Kaiako record information to show the breadth and complexity of children’s learning in relation to the learning outcomes in Te Whāriki: the early childhood curriculum. Children’s learning over time includes literacy, oral language, and science concepts that are skilfully woven into their curriculum.
The leaders have been proactive in their response to the quality improvement actions identified in ERO’s 2021 report. As a result, te reo Māori and te Ao Māori are evident throughout the curriculum. Learning-focused partnerships with parents have been enacted that support children’s learning. Leaders and kaiako identify and remove barriers to children’s learning, including for those that have additional learning needs.
Representation of children’s culture and identity is supported through cultural celebrations, including for Pacific children. Kaiako and leaders have begun to consider how they can further strengthen the representation of individual children’s languages and cultures. The director has planned for professional learning to respond to this.
Areas of improvement and progression of children’s learning are identified through centre-wide inquiry and planning, which includes a consideration to strengthen the service’s implemented local curriculum. Networked relationships, including with Te Mahurehure Marae, support children’s learning. Coherent organisational conditions enable collaboration across the teaching team which result in improvements that positively impact on children’s learning.
The Point Early Childhood Centre will include the following actions in its Quality Improvement Planning:
Before the review, the staff and management of The Point Early Childhood Centre 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)
25 October 2024
| Early Childhood Service Nam | The Point Early Childhood Centre |
| Profile Number | 46603 |
| Location | Point Chevalier, Auckland |
| Service type | Education and care service |
| Number licensed for | 74 children, including up to 25 aged under 2 |
| Percentage of qualified teachers | 80-99% |
| Service roll | 95 |
| Review team on site | July 2024 |
| Date of this report | 25 October 2024 |
| Most recent ERO report(s) | Akarangi | Quality Evaluation, April 2021; Education Review, May 2017 |
Akarangi | 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. The Akarangi Quality Evaluation Judgement Rubric derived from the indicators, is used to inform the ERO’s judgements about this service’s performance in promoting equity and excellence.
ERO’s judgements for The Point Early Childhood Centre are as follows:
Outcome Indicators | ERO’s judgement |
| What the service knows about outcomes for learners | Whakaū Embedding |
Ngā Akatoro Domains | ERO’s judgement |
He Whāriki Motuhake The learner and their learning | Whakaū Embedding |
Whakangungu Ngaio Collaborative professional learning builds knowledge and capability | Whakawhanake Sustaining |
Ngā Aronga Whai Hua Evaluation for improvement | Whakawhanake Sustaining |
Kaihautū Leaders foster collaboration and improvement | Whakawhanake Sustaining |
Te Whakaruruhau Stewardship through effective governance and management | Whakawhanake Sustaining |
The Point Early Childhood Centre is privately owned. A manager and centre supervisor are responsible for governance and management of the service. They provide professional support for a team of 16 teachers. Children are grouped in three different play spaces according to their age. Small numbers of Māori and Pacific children are enrolled.
Children are confident and show a sense of belonging in the centre’s environment. They settle well into play with sensitive engagement from kaiako. The learning environment is carefully considered to encourage children’s exploration. Children, including infants, choose their own learning, and they have space and time provided to investigate their own working theories.
Respectful and nurturing relationships are the foundation for tamariki learning at the centre. Leaders and kaiako have a strong focus on supporting tamariki to develop social and emotional competence, and this is evident across all teaching teams. Children’s learning is enhanced through leaders and kaiako working as a professional learning community.
All children and whānau are welcome at the service. Inclusivity is encouraged by centre leaders and valued by kaiako. The service celebrates and acknowledges children of all cultures, including the Māori and Pacific community. Leaders and kaiako have initiated a relationship with the local marae, Te Muhurehure, to deepen their knowledge of te reo and tikanga Māori. Centre whānau were involved in this process.
Kaiako are skilled listeners and observers of children in their care. They work collaboratively to implement a meaningful curriculum for each child. Kaiako maintain records of learning for individual children that enhance tamariki and whānau mana.
A robust process of internal evaluation leads to service improvements. Kaiako collaborate in internal evaluation projects relevant to their teams as well as the whole centre. The learning and wellbeing of children and whānau are primary considerations in kaiako decision-making.
Leaders and teachers of The Point Early Childhood Centre will include the following actions in its Quality Improvement Planning:
Before the review, the staff and management of The Point Early Childhood Centre 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.
Since the onsite review, the service has addressed non-compliance relating to:
Steve Tanner
Director Review and Improvement Services (Northern)
Northern Region | Te Tai Raki
29 April 2021
| Early Childhood Service Name | The Point Early Childhood Centre |
| Profile Number | 46603 |
| Location | Point Chevalier, Auckland |
| Service type | Education and care service |
| Number licensed for | 74 children, including up to 25 aged under 2. |
| Percentage of qualified teachers | 80%+ |
| Service roll | 94 |
| Ethnic composition | Māori 5 NZ European/Pākehā 85 other ethnic groups 4 |
| Review team on site | February 2021 |
| Date of this report | 29 April 2021 |
| Most recent ERO report(s) | Education Review, May 2017 |
Not well placed | Requires further development | Well placed | Very well placed |
ERO's findings that support this overall judgement are summarised below.
The Point Early Childhood Centre operates in a purpose-built villa in the hub of Point Chevalier. The centre is owned and managed by Innovativo Early Learning Limited. The majority of children enrolled are Pākehā and there are small numbers of Māori, Indian and Chinese children.
The centre opened in 2015 with a licence for 23 children. Rapid growth has meant the centre has increased its license numbers to 43 and employed more staff in three age-related areas. The owners have purchased the neighbouring property to expand the centre's provision for infants and toddlers.
The centre's philosophy places importance on allowing children freedom to explore, contribute and develop at their own pace within a nurturing environment. Relationships and communication are a significant priority for the service to support children’s sense of belonging. Teachers have also taken inspiration from aspects of Reggio Emilia philosophical approaches, particularly with regard to learning environments.
This is the first ERO review of The Point Early Childhood Centre.
Children and their whānau are greeted warmly and made to feel welcomed. Teachers support families to transition positively into and within the centre, and on to school. Children participate in an unhurried programme. Good early literacy, maths and science is naturally integrated throughout the programme.
Children are respectful and cheerful towards teachers and peers. They lead their own learning through group work and their individual interests. Children are encouraged to direct their play and learning. They practise good self-management skills.
Infants and toddlers have a calm, natural environment to play in. Teachers are nurturing, caring and have deliberate conversations with children. Toddlers are encouraged to develop independence in their play and to make choices about indoor and outdoor exploration.
Kaupapa Māori concepts of manaakitanga and whanaungatanga are integrated in the centre. The centre takes pride in celebrating children’s cultures. Events such as Matariki, Diwali and Chinese New Year are well supported by parents and whānau. Some teachers incorporate aspects of te reo Māori in their work with children. Teachers could consider ways to incorporate the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi across the centre's philosophy and processes.
Teachers have a very good understanding of the curriculum. They plan for and assess children's learning well and engage in ongoing reflections about their teaching practice. Teachers know children very well. This knowledge is visible in portfolios that record children’s learning over time. The online sharing of information about children's learning has enhanced communications with whānau. Team leaders are continuing to strengthen teachers' knowledge and integration of the Reggio Emilia approach to teaching and learning.
The centre manager and team leaders work collaboratively to provide professional and knowledgeable leadership. The owners provide strong governance. Professional learning and development is informing the future direction of the centre. Internal evaluation is valued and embedded in the centre. Policies, processes and systems guide centre operations well. Documented long-term and annual management plans align with teacher induction and appraisal. External support has improved the appraisal process.
Managers have identified next steps for the centre, which include:
Before the review, the staff and management of The Point Early Childhood Centre 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 The Point Early Childhood Centre will be in three years.
Graham Randell
Deputy Chief Review Officer Northern
10 May 2017
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 | Point Chevalier, Auckland | ||
| Ministry of Education profile number | 46603 | ||
| Licence type | Education & Care Service | ||
| Licensed under | Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008 | ||
| Number licensed for | 43 children, including up to 13 aged under 2 | ||
| Service roll | 54 | ||
| Gender composition | Boys 29 Girls 25 | ||
| Ethnic composition | Māori Pākehā Chinese Indian other | 3 40 3 3 5 | |
Percentage of qualified teachers 0-49% 50-79% 80%+ Based on funding rates | 80% + | ||
| Reported ratios of staff to children | Under 2 | 1:3 | Better than minimum requirements |
| Over 2 | 1:7 | Better than minimum requirements | |
| Review team on site | March 2017 | ||
| Date of this report | 10 May 2017 | ||
Most recent ERO report(s)
| No previous ERO reports | ||
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.