Barnardos Early Learning Lower Hutt

Here is the latest report for the Governing Organisation that this service is part of.

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

Since the onsite visit, the service has provided ERO with evidence that shows it has addressed non-compliances and is now taking reasonable steps to meet regulatory standards.

Background

Barnardos Early Learning Lower Hutt is one of many early childhood learning services owned and operated by Barnardos New Zealand Incorporated. A centre manager oversees the day-to-day operation, supported by an area manager. The centre was refurbished and fully licensed in April 2021. It serves a multicultural community. A small number of Māori children attend. 

Summary of Review Findings

The curriculum is consistent with Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum. It is informed by assessment, planning and evaluation that demonstrates an understanding of children’s learning and interests. Children have choices within their play and have access to an adequate range of equipment and materials. The environment shows bicultural perspectives and acknowledges families’ cultures.

Suitable policies and procedures are in place. An annual plan and budget guide the service’s operation. Review and internal evaluation processes are used to support decision making about improvement. Health and safety practices are monitored.

Key Next Steps

Next steps include:

• further including parents’ and whānau aspirations within assessment for learning documentation
• making children’s languages cultures and identities more visible within documentation.

Actions for Compliance  

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

• outdoor surfaces, being safe and suitable for their intended use.

[Licensing Criteria for Early Childhood Education and Care Centres 2008, (PF5)].

Next ERO Review

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

Dr Lesley Patterson
Director Review and Improvement Services (Southern)
Southern Region | Te Tai Tini

21 December 2022 

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. 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; 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.