Ako Adventures

ERO’s Akanuku | Assurance Review reports provide information about whether a service meets and maintains regulatory standards. Further information about Akanuku | Assurance Reviews is included at the end of this report.

ERO’s Judgement

At the time of the review, ERO identified non-compliance with regulatory standards that must be addressed.

Background

Ako Adventures, formerly Kea kids Childcare Russell Road, is a privately owned service. This is the first review of this service since it was licensed in November 2021. There have been significant staff changes since the 2021 ERO report. A director is responsible for governance and a new centre manager oversees daily operation. Nearly a quarter of children who attend are Māori learners, and around half of the children are of Pacific heritages.  

Summary of Review Findings

The service curriculum provides children with a range of experiences and opportunities to support their learning and development, both indoors and outdoors, individually and in groups. There are separate spaces for each age group, and children who are under two experience teachers who are responsive to their care needs.

A philosophy and annual plan guide operations. Parents have opportunities to contribute to the philosophy and policy reviews, and positive steps are taken to respect and acknowledge the aspirations for their children. Better attention to health and safety documentation and practices is required to ensure that the service is meeting and maintaining the regulatory standards.

Actions for Compliance

ERO found areas of non-compliance in the service relating to:

• consistently recording the time each child attending the service sleeps

• consistent documentation of medication administered in the service, including parental authority being given prior to administering medication.

Licensing Criteria for Early Childhood Education and Care Services, 2008, HS9, HS28.

During the review, the service provided ERO with evidence that shows it has addressed the following non-compliance:

• having a written emergency plan that includes a list of safety and emergency supplies and resources sufficient for the age and number of children and adults at the service (HS7).

Since the onsite visit, the service has provided ERO with evidence that shows it has addressed the following non-compliances:    

• ensuring heavy furniture, fixtures, and equipment that could fall or topple and cause serious injury or damage are secured (HS6).

• ensuring that when the carpark is used for children’s activities, the requirements for documentation for excursions are met, and the signature of the person responsible giving approval is gained prior to excursions taking place (HS17).

• ensuring that children are seated and supervised while eating (HS22).

Recommendation to Ministry of Education

ERO recommends the Ministry follows up with the service provider to ensure that non-compliances identified in this report are addressed promptly.

Next ERO Review

The next ERO review is likely to be an Akarangi | Quality Evaluation.

Patricia Davey
Director of Early Childhood Education (ECE)

28 June 2023 

Information About the Service

General Information about Assurance Reviews

All services are licensed under the Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008. The legal requirements for early childhood services also include the Licensing Criteria for Education and Care Services 2008.

Services must meet the standards in the regulations and the requirements of the licensing criteria to gain and maintain a licence to operate.

ERO undertakes an Akanuku | Assurance Review process in any centre-based service:

• having its first ERO review – including if it is part of a governing organisation

• previously identified as ‘not well placed’ or ‘requiring further development’

• that has moved from a provisional to a full licence

• that have been re-licenced due to a change of ownership

• where an Akanuku | Assurance Review process is determined to be appropriate.

Management Assurance on Legal Requirements

All early childhood services are required to promote children’s health and safety and to regularly review their compliance with legal requirements. Before the review, the staff and management of a service 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.

As part of an Akanuku | Assurance Review ERO assesses whether the regulatory standards are being met. ERO looks at a 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; safety checking; teacher certification; ratios)

• relevant evacuation procedures and practices.

As part of an Akanuku | Assurance Review ERO also gathers and records evidence through:

• discussions with those involved in the service

• consideration of relevant documentation, including the implementation of health and safety systems

• observations of the environment/premises, curriculum implementation and teaching practice.