22 Ngata Street, Palmerston North
View on mapAkarangi | Quality Evaluation evaluates the extent to which this early childhood service has the learning and organisational conditions to support equitable and excellent outcomes for all learners. Te Ara Poutama Indicators of quality for early childhood education: what matters most are the basis for making judgements about the effectiveness of the service in achieving equity and excellence for all learners. Judgements are made in relation to the Outcomes Indicators, Learning and Organisational Conditions. The Evaluation Judgement Rubric derived from the indicators, is used to inform ERO’s judgements about this service’s performance in promoting equity and excellence.
ERO’s judgements for Learn A Lot Kindy Kidz are as follows:
Outcome Indicators(What the service knows about outcomes for learners) | Whāngai Establishing |
Ngā Akatoro Domains | |
Learning ConditionsOrganisational Conditions | Whāngai Establishing Whāngai Establishing |
Learn A Lot Kindy Kidz is privately owned. Governance is currently focused on redefining leadership roles and responsibilities. A centre manager has increased responsibility in the day-to-day operations, supported by two team leaders. A small number of children are of Pacific heritages, alongside nearly half the roll who identity as Māori.
A responsive play-based curriculum enables children to lead their own learning and strongly supports their social and emotional competence. Teacher’s nurture and respond to children’s verbal and non-verbal cues. Infants and toddlers explore in an environment which richly promotes oral language. Children are developing an understanding of te ao Māori concepts that relate to interactions with their peers. Karakia, waiata and tikanga Māori are authentically integrated into daily experiences.
Whānau share their goals for children’s learning and teachers respond positively to these. Assessment and planning recognise some children’s learning progression over time in relation to the learning outcomes of Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum. Since ERO’s 2021 report there has been minimal growth in how assessment, planning and evaluation responds to each child’s languages, culture and identity. New tools to gather relevant information to support children’s cultural identity as learners, are in the early stages of development.
Planning for improvement is becoming more strategically focused. Alignment between teacher’s individual growth cycles and strategies to promote improvement are visible. The development of a local curriculum is strengthening shared knowledge of what matters most here. Leaders are focused on how to further refine and embed this in relation to the valued outcomes from Te Whāriki. Priorities for learning are visible in practice, alongside some positive outcomes for children.
Limited progress has been made in the team’s capacity to use evaluation to identify what is having the most impact for children and why. Barriers to growth include changes in leadership responsibilities and unsuccessful adaptions to frameworks that guide systems and processes. Indicators of quality are not used well through evaluation to measure changes in outcomes for children as a result of change.
Learn A Lot Kindy Kidz will include the following actions in its Quality Improvement Planning:
Before the review, the staff and management of Learn A Lot Kindy Kidz completed an ERO 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:
During the review, ERO looked at the service’s systems for managing the following areas that have a potentially high impact on children's wellbeing:
All early childhood services are required to promote children's health and safety and to regularly review their compliance with legal requirements.
During the review, the service provided ERO with evidence that shows it has addressed the following non-compliances:
Licensing Criteria for Early Childhood Education and Care Centres 2008, GMA7A.
Since the onsite visit, the service provided ERO with evidence that shows it has addressed the following non-compliances:
Patricia Davey
Director of Early Childhood Education (ECE)
5 July 2024
| Early Childhood Service Name | Learn A Lot Kindy Kidz |
| Profile Number | 50123 |
| Location | Palmerston North |
| Service type | Education and care service |
| Number licensed for | 65 children, including up to 15 aged under 2 |
| Percentage of qualified teachers | 80-99% |
| Service roll | 68 |
| Review team on site | May 2024 |
| Date of this report | 5 July 2024 |
| Most recent ERO report(s) | Akarangi | Quality Evaluation, December 2021; Akanuku | Assurance Review, February 2020 |
Akarangi | Quality Evaluation evaluates the extent to which this early childhood service has the learning and organisational conditions to support equitable and excellent outcomes for all learners. Te Ara Poutama- indicators of quality for early childhood education: what matters most (PDF 3.01MB) are the basis for making judgements about the effectiveness of the service in achieving equity and excellence for all learners. The Akarangi Quality Evaluation Judgement Rubric (PDF 91.30KB) derived from the indicators, is used to inform the ERO’s judgements about this service’s performance in promoting equity and excellence.
ERO’s judgements for Learn A Lot Kindy Kidz are as follows:
Outcome Indicators | ERO’s judgement |
| What the service knows about outcomes for learners | Whakaū Embedding |
Ngā Akatoro Domains | ERO’s judgement |
He Whāriki Motuhake The learner and their learning | Whakaū Embedding |
Whakangungu Ngaio Collaborative professional learning builds knowledge and capability | Whakawhanake Sustaining |
Ngā Aronga Whai Hua Evaluation for improvement | Whakaū Embedding |
Kaihautū Leaders foster collaboration and improvement | Whakaū Embedding |
Te Whakaruruhau Stewardship through effective governance and management | Whakaū Embedding |
Learn A Lot Kindy Kidz is a privately owned education and care centre. The centre owner oversees day to day operations. A head teacher leads a teaching team who guides learning across two age-based spaces. The centre has relocated to new purpose-built premises since the February 2020 ERO review.
Children effectively lead their own learning through a play-based curriculum consistent with Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum. Teachers’ strong reciprocal and respectful relationships with children, parents and whānau enhance positive learning outcomes for children. Whānau voice is gathered in a range of ways that strengthen learning focused partnerships. Children’s learning and development is well supported by adults in the service. A sense of well-being and belonging is enhanced because of kaiako knowing children and their whānau well.
Infants and toddlers are nurtured in a calm, caring and responsive environment. Their sense of security is promoted. Children’s verbal and non-verbal cues are effectively responded to in a language rich environment. Children’s learning is scaffolded, supported by kaiako’s active participation in their play.
The centre is at the beginning stages of integrating te reo me ngā tikanga Māori into the curriculum. Assessment recognises children’s interests and makes learning visible. Assessment, planning and evaluation practice is yet to consistently respond to all children’s languages, cultures and identities.
Leaders and kaiako engage in deliberate, improvement focused evaluation. Kaiako challenge their practices and beliefs with effective engagement in professional development and critical reflection. Appraisal processes clearly articulate expectations and align to organisational priorities reflecting kaiako professional growth. High levels of relational trust support mentoring, leading to growth in kaiako and leadership capabilities. Evaluation is yet to identity what is making the most difference for children and their learning.
Learn A Lot Kindy Kidz contributes to positive social and community outcomes for children by actively ensuring equity of access and participation. Children and whānau benefit from leaders in the service who promote equitable opportunities for them to learn and be a part of centre life.
Learn A Lot Kindy Kidz will include the following actions in its Quality Improvement Planning:
Before the review, the staff and management of Learn A Lot Kindy Kidz 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:
During the review, ERO looked at the service’s systems for managing the following areas that have a potentially high impact on children's wellbeing:
All early childhood services are required to promote children's health and safety and to regularly review their compliance with legal requirements.
Shelley Booysen
Acting Director Review and Improvement Services (Central)
Central Region | Te Tai Pūtahi Nui
21 December 2021
| Early Childhood Service Name | Learn A Lot Kindy Kidz |
| Profile Number | 50123 |
| Location | Palmerston North |
| Service type | Education and care service |
| Number licensed for | 65 children, including up to 15 aged under 2. |
| Percentage of qualified teachers | 80-99% |
| Service roll | 66 |
| Ethnic composition | Māori 27, NZ European/Pākehā 27, Pacific 5, African 4, Other ethnic groups 3 |
| Review team on site | November 2021 |
| Date of this report | 21 December 2021 |
| Most recent ERO report(s) | Akanuku | Assurance Review, February 2020; Education Review, December 2018. |
Regulatory standards | ERO’s judgement |
| Curriculum | Meeting |
| Premises and facilities | Meeting |
| Health and safety | Meeting |
| Governance, management and administration | Meeting |
At the time of the review, ERO found the service was taking reasonable steps to meet regulatory standards.
Learn A Lot Kindy Kidz is privately owned and located near the central business district of Palmerston North. The centre manager leads a team of ten educators. The December 2018 ERO report identified that the service required further development to support effective teaching and learning. Sufficient progress has been made in response.
The curriculum is consistent with Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum. The indoor and outdoor environments are suitably set up allowing children access to a range of learning experiences. Property developments have been made to the premises and facilities to meet Ministry of Education requirements. Resources are appropriate for the children attending.
Leaders and teachers have engaged in professional development with external providers to build their curriculum capability. A suitable appraisal process has been developed and is implemented. Health and safety procedures, policies and systems are in place and monitored.
The next ERO review is likely to be an Education Review.
Darcy Te Hau
Acting Director Review and Improvement Services (Central)
Central Region | Te Tai Pūtahi Nui
27 February 2020
| Early Childhood Service Name | Learn A Lot Kindy Kidz |
| Profile Number | 50123 |
| Location | Palmerston North |
| Service type | Education and care service |
| Number licensed for | 50 children, including up to 10 aged under 2. |
| Percentage of qualified teachers (delete if not applicable) | 80%+ |
| Reported ratio of staff to children under 2 | 1:4 Better than regulatory standards. |
| Reported ratio of staff | 1:7 Better than regulatory standards. |
| Service roll | 43 |
| Gender composition | Male 23, Female 20 |
| Ethnic composition | Māori 7, NZ European/Pākehā 30, Other ethnic groups 6 |
| Review team on site | January 2020 |
| Date of this report | 27 February 2020 |
Most recent ERO report(s) These are available at www.ero.govt.nz | Education Review, December 2018, Education Review, June 2015 |
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.
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:
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:
As part of an Assurance Review ERO also gathers and records evidence through: