Riselaw Road Playcentre

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

Riselaw Road Playcentre is a parent-led early childhood education service administered by Te Whānau Tupu Ngātahi o Aotearoa – Playcentre Aotearoa. There has been significant restructuring and change at the national playcentre level. Regular support is provided by a Centre Advisor. Riselaw Road Playcentre is open four mornings a week. The service’s roll is culturally diverse and includes a small number of Māori children. 

Summary of Review Findings

Tamariki experience positive interactions with adults. They explore the environment at their own pace. Adults are responsive to children’s needs and offer a variety of resources that are appropriate to the differing ages and abilities of those attending. 

The newly refurbished building and playground support the provision of indoor and outdoor experiences which include quiet spaces and areas for physically active play. The design and layout of the premises support children to freely explore the environment.  

A national policy, procedure and process framework guides the operation of each playcentre. Parents and families are consulted on policy reviews and other operational documents.

Key Next Steps

Next steps include:

• build understanding and use of the learning outcomes from Te Whāriki and make these visible in children’s assessment documentation

• increase opportunities for children to hear and use te reo Māori and tikanga Māori in meaningful contexts.

Actions for Compliance

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

• parents/caregivers giving prior written approval for the proposed ratio for regular excursions at the time of enrolment.

Licensing criteria for Early Childhood Education and Care Services 2008, HS17.

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

14 November 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.