Tiny Explorers Early Learning Centre

ERO’s Judgement

At the time of the review, ERO found the service was taking reasonable steps to meet regulatory standards.

Background

Tiny Explorers Early Learning Centre is licensed for 98 children, including up to 18 children under two years of age. The roll includes a small number of children with Māori heritage or other ethnic backgrounds.

The centre owner/manager leads a team of eight qualified teachers and seven untrained staff.

This is the centre’s first ERO review.

Summary of Review Findings

The curriculum is inclusive, and adults engage in meaningful and positive interactions with children. Teachers respect and acknowledge the aspirations held by parents and whānau.

The design and layout of the centre support the provision of different types of indoor and outdoor experiences. The premises, equipment and materials are kept hygienic and maintained in good condition.

Parents have opportunities to contribute to the development and review of the centre’s operational documents. An ongoing process of self review helps the service to maintain and improve the quality of education and care. A system of regular appraisal has been implemented. The owner should ensure this is consistent for all staff. She needs to take steps to improve several aspects of provision for children’s health and safety.

Actions for Compliance

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

• annual review of the emergency plan
• hazards relating to poisonous plants and electrical sockets
• parental permission and approval of adult-to-child ratios for excursions
• stretchers intended for children to sleep on, securely covered with or made of a non-porous material

Licensing Criteria for Early Childhood Education and Care Centres 2008, HS 7,12,17, PF 30.

Steve Tanner

Director Review and Improvement Services (Northern)

Northern Region | Te Tai Raki

25 November 2019

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 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 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 Assurance Review ERO assesses whether the regulated standards are being met. In particular, 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; police vetting; teacher certification; ratios)
• evacuation procedures and practices for fire and earthquake.

As part of an 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.