Wilde Meadow Limited

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

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

Background

Wilde Meadow Limited is one of three services under the same ownership. The owner is responsible for governance and management, and she is supported by a head teacher who oversees the daily operations.  They lead a team of five qualified teachers and a non-registered teacher. This is the first ERO review of this service, which was fully licensed in May 2022.

Summary of Review Findings

The design and layout of the premises support the provision of different types of indoor and outdoor experiences. The environment includes quiet spaces, areas for physically active play, and spaces for a range of individual and group learning experiences that enhance children’s learning and development.

The curriculum is informed by assessment, planning and evaluation. It demonstrates an understanding of children’s learning, their interests, whānau and life contexts. Adults providing education and care engage in meaningful, positive interactions to enhance children’s learning and nurture reciprocal relationships. Children are supported in their developing social competence and understanding of appropriate behaviour. 

Key Next Steps

Next steps include:

• strengthening children’s connection to their languages, cultures, and identity

• continuing to use Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum, to develop the service’s localised curriculum.

Compliance

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

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

Next ERO Review

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

Patricia Davey
Director of Early Childhood Education (ECE)

​​16 August 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. 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.