Kāpiti Children's Centre

Education institution number:
60260
Service type:
Education & Care Service
Total roll:
43
Telephone:
Address:

24 Raumati Road, Raumati Beach

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Kāpiti Children’s Centre

1 ERO’s Judgements

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 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 Kāpiti Children’s Centre are as follows:

Outcome Indicators

(What the service knows about outcomes for learners)

Whāngai Establishing

Ngā Akatoro Domains

 
Learning Conditions
Organisational Conditions
Whāngai Establishing
Whāngai Establishing

2 Context of the Service

Kāpiti Children’s Centre is privately owned. The centre manager has delegated responsibility for the day-to-day operation. Some progress has been made against the 2022 ERO report’s key next steps. Almost a quarter of children whakapapa Māori, and a small number have Pacific heritages.

3 Summary of findings

Children of all ages are seen as capable learners. They are well supported to engage in a mixed-age, nurturing, home-like learning environment. Teachers are responsive to their interests, abilities and needs. A broad curriculum provides opportunities for children to explore, learn from each other and to become independent learners. Social and emotional competence skills and oral language is promoted.

In ERO’s previous report, key next steps were noted to build shared understanding and expectations for documenting children’s assessment and to make each child’s culture, languages and identity visible in learning records. These still require development. Staff have regular communication with whānau about their child’s learning. However currently documentation does not consistently show how:

  • the learning outcomes from Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum, are used to plan for, and evaluate children’s learning and progress over time
  • teachers recognise and respond to parent and whānau aspirations
  • teachers recognise and respond to the languages, cultures and identities of Māori children, or those of Pacific and other diverse cultural heritages.

Clear expectations and guidance for the teaching team is not yet in place to enable consistency of teacher’s practice in planning and assessing individual children’s learning.

A bicultural curriculum is establishing. Aspects of te reo Māori are used and significant cultural events are celebrated. Excursions provide older children opportunities to explore the local environment. Strategies are not currently effective to engage whānau Māori, and other families, in the design of a curriculum that responds to their cultures and reflects mana whenua of this region.

Leaders have built a culture of relational trust. They are in the early stages of developing their capability to mentor and coach teachers. There are opportunities for teachers to demonstrate strength-based leadership. Relevant professional learning and development is implemented. A process of reflection and ongoing self-review to make improvements to aspects of practices is in place.

4 Improvement actions

Kāpiti Children’s Centre will include the following actions in its Quality Improvement Planning:

  • Deepen leaders and teachers shared understanding of Te Whāriki to inform the development and implementation of effective guidelines for assessment, planning and evaluation of the curriculum.
  • Deepen leaders and teachers understanding of Tātaiako:cultural competencies for teachers of Māori learners, to identify and implement strategies that support the strengthening of the bicultural curriculum.
  • Intentionally use teachers’ strength-based leadership to better support development of the curriculum.

5 Management Assurance on Legal Requirements

Before the review, the staff and management of Kāpiti Children’s Centre 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:

  • curriculum
  • premises and facilities
  • health and safety practices
  • governance, management and administration.

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:

  • 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 registration; ratios)
  • relevant evacuation procedures and practices.

All early childhood services are required to promote children's health and safety and to regularly review their compliance with legal requirements.

6 Actions for Compliance

During and since the onsite visit, the service provided ERO with evidence to show the following non-compliances have been addressed:

  • Maintaining a consistent record of the time each child sleeps, and checks made by adults during that time.
  • Ensuring that daily checks to equipment, premises and facilities for hazards to children include consideration of electrical appliances, windows and other areas of glass.

[Licensing Criteria for Early Childhood Education and Care Services, 2008, HS9, HS12]. 

Patricia Davey
Director of Early Childhood Education (ECE)

12 September 2024

7 About the Early Childhood Service

Early Childhood Service NameKāpiti Children’s Centre
Profile Number60260
LocationRaumati Beach
Service type Education and care service
Number licensed for 47 children, including up to 17 aged under 2
Percentage of qualified teachers 100%
Service roll60
Review team on siteJune 2024 
Date of this report12 September 2024
Most recent ERO report(s)Akanuku | Assurance Review, October 2022; Education Review, April 2018

Kāpiti Children's Centre

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

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.

Background

Kāpiti Children's Centre is a privately owned early childhood service. Since the 2018 ERO review, the centre has changed ownership. Co-owners manage the business with one also taking responsibility for teaching and learning. The centre serves a culturally diverse community. Around twenty percent of children are of Māori descent.

Summary of Review Findings

Adults providing education and care engage in meaningful, positive interactions to enhance children’s independence, learning and nurture reciprocal relationships. Children are provided with a range of experiences and opportunities to extend their learning and develop their social competence.

A variety of furniture, equipment, and materials is provided that is appropriate for the learning and abilities of the children attending. The design and layout of the premises support the provision of different types of indoor and outdoor experiences. Suitable systems and processes are in place to guide the operation of the service.

Key next steps

Next steps include:

  • making visible in learning records the languages cultures and identities of all children

  • building a shared understanding in the teaching team of the expectations for documenting children’s assessment to enable consistency of practice.

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

4 October 2022 

Information About the Service

Early Childhood Service Name

Kāpiti Children’s Centre

Profile Number

60260

Location

Kāpiti Coast

Service type

Education and care service

Number licensed for

40 children, including up to 15 aged under 2

Percentage of qualified teachers

100%

Service roll

36

Review team on site

August 2022

Date of this report

4 October 2022

Most recent ERO report(s)

Education Review, April 2018; Education Review, April 2016

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.

Kapiti Children's Centre - 05/04/2018

1 Evaluation of Kapiti Children's Centre

How well placed is Kapiti Children's Centre to promote positive learning outcomes for children?

Not well placed

Requires further development

Well placed

Very well placed

ERO's findings that support this overall judgement are summarised below.

Background

Kapiti Children's Centre is an established centre located at Raumati Beach. It provides education and care for up to 40 children, including 15 up to two years of age, in a mixed-age setting.

The centre licence was reassessed by the Ministry of Education when it changed ownership in April 2017. The new owners have renewed and reviewed the learning environment and the philosophy.

Since then, a permanent manager has been appointed and several changes of teachers have occurred.

The April 2016 ERO report found significant improvement was needed across areas of centre operation including assessment and planning, teacher appraisal and internal evaluation. In 2016, the previous centre owners received targeted support through a Ministry of Education funded programme, Strengthening Early Learning Opportunities (SELO). The current owners and manager have made considerable gains since 2017 and are continuing to respond suitably to the key next steps identified in the previous ERO report.

The Review Findings

The philosophy is clearly evident in the learning programme and throughout the centre's operation. Children show enjoyment and are confidently engaged in their play. Teachers are responsive to children's choices and play. Respectful relationships are evident. Those with additional needs have these carefully considered and additional support is sought where necessary.

Children up to two years of age confidently interact and play alongside older children. Relationships are promoted through peaceful, unhurried care routines and programmes designed to address the needs of the service's youngest children.

Leaders demonstrate a sound understanding of assessment practices that promote new learning and captures current learning. They have identified that assessment and planning for children's learning, bicultural practices and evaluation of the programme requires further strengthening. Leaders are purposefully building teachers' practice and understanding in these areas.

The new owners have a considered approach to change and improvement to promote children's learning and wellbeing. The strategic plan sets useful priorities for improvement. Self review guides decisions and informs decision making. There is suitable alignment of long term planning, teachers' appraisal goals and professional development programmes. Appropriate appraisal processes are now in place to develop teachers' practice.

Leaders and managers demonstrate a collective capacity to lead improvements. Parents are consulted about proposed changes in the centre and with their child's learning.

Key Next Steps

ERO, managers and leaders agree that the service's key next steps are to continue to implement and embed the developments identified in the centre's strategic plan. In particular, the need to strengthen:

  • bicultural practices
  • assessment and planning
  • internal evaluation to know the impact of programmes, policies and practices on outcomes for children's learning.

Management Assurance on Legal Requirements

Before the review, the staff and management of Kapiti Children's Centre 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.

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:

  • 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 registration; ratios)
  • evacuation procedures and practices for fire and earthquake.

All early childhood services are required to promote children's health and safety and to regularly review their compliance with legal requirements. 

Next ERO Review

When is ERO likely to review the service again?

The next ERO review of Kapiti Children's Centre will be in three years.

Alan Wynyard
Deputy Chief Review Officer Central (Acting)

Te Tai Pokapū - Central Region

5 April 2018 

The Purpose of ERO Reports

The Education Review Office (ERO) is the government department that, as part of its work, reviews early childhood services throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. ERO’s reports provide information for parents and communities about each service’s strengths and next steps for development. ERO’s bicultural evaluation framework Ngā Pou Here is described in SECTION 3 of this report. Early childhood services are partners in the review process and are expected to make use of the review findings to enhance children's wellbeing and learning. 

2 Information about the Early Childhood Service 

Location

Raumati Beach

Ministry of Education profile number

60260

Licence type

Education & Care Service

Licensed under

Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008

Number licensed for

40 children, including up to 15 aged under 2

Service roll

26

Gender composition

Boys 16, Girls 10

Ethnic composition

Māori
Pākehā
Other ethnic groups

  2
18
  6

Percentage of qualified teachers

0-49%       50-79%       80%+

Based on funding rates

80% +

Reported ratios of staff to children

Under 2

1:5

Meets minimum requirements

Over 2

1:10

Meets minimum requirements

Review team on site

February 2018

Date of this report

5 April 2018

Most recent ERO report(s)

 

Education Review

April 2016

Education Review

March 2013

Education Review

March 2010

3 General Information about Early Childhood Reviews

ERO’s Evaluation Framework

ERO’s overarching question for an early childhood education review is ‘How well placed is this service to promote positive learning outcomes for children?’ ERO focuses on the following factors as described in the bicultural framework Ngā Pou Here:

  • Pou Whakahaere – how the service determines its vision, philosophy and direction to ensure positive outcomes for children
  • Pou Ārahi – how leadership is enacted to enhance positive outcomes for children
  • Mātauranga – whose knowledge is valued and how the curriculum is designed to achieve positive outcomes for children
  • Tikanga whakaako – how approaches to teaching and learning respond to diversity and support positive outcomes for children.

Within these areas ERO considers the effectiveness of arotake – self review and of whanaungatanga – partnerships with parents and whānau. 

ERO evaluates how well placed a service is to sustain good practice and make ongoing improvements for the benefit of all children at the service.

A focus for the government is that all children, especially priority learners, have an opportunity to benefit from quality early childhood education. ERO will report on how well each service promotes positive outcomes for all children, with a focus on children who are Māori, Pacific, have diverse needs, and are up to the age of two.

For more information about the framework and Ngā Pou Here refer to ERO’s Approach to Review in Early Childhood Services.

ERO’s Overall Judgement and Next Review

The overall judgement that ERO makes and the timing of the next review will depend on how well placed a service is to promote positive learning outcomes for children. The categories are:

  • Very well placed – The next ERO review in four years
  • Well placed – The next ERO review in three years
  • Requires further development – The next ERO review within two years
  • Not well placed - The next ERO review in consultation with the Ministry of Education

ERO has developed criteria for each category. These are available on ERO’s website.

Review Coverage

ERO reviews are tailored to each service’s context and performance, within the overarching review framework. The aim is to provide information on aspects that are central to positive outcomes for children and useful to the service.

Kapiti Children's Centre - 12/04/2016

1 Evaluation of Kapiti Children's Centre

How well placed is Kapiti Children's Centre to promote positive learning outcomes for children?

Not well placed

Requires further development

Well placed

Very well placed

Kapiti Children’s Centre needs support to develop and implement systems that will promote effective assessment, programme planning and evaluation of learning. Strengthening appraisal will support teachers to improve their practice and have a bigger impact on children’s learning and progress. Gaining an understanding of evidence-based evaluation and using it to determine what makes the biggest difference to promoting learning should help in reviewing existing practices and curriculum.

Some of the areas for improvement outlined in the 2013 ERO report continue to require further review and development.

ERO's findings that support this overall judgement are summarised below.

Background

Kapiti Children’s Centre is a privately-owned early childhood education and care facility. It is licensed to cater for up to 40 children aged over two years, including a maximum of 15 children up to the age of two years.

The centre’s owner oversees financial and property-related aspects of its operations. Day-to-day management of the education and care is the responsibility of the centre manager and assistant manager. Their priority goal is to support a positive learning environment that promotes exploration and discovery. Developing strong relationships between teachers, parents and whānau is a focus.

The Review Findings

Children’s wellbeing and care is well supported. Children have positive and considerate relationships with their teachers. The centre tone is relaxed and unhurried.

Teachers focus on developing a sense of connection and belonging through respectful interactions with children and their families. Children were observed as being confident and happy. They cooperate well with each other and are able to make choices about their play. Examples of good learning conversations were evident between teachers and children to extend language skills. Teachers of children under 2 years are sensitive to the needs of the infants and toddlers.

Teachers notice and respond to children’s immediate interests. They know the children well and play alongside them in child-initiated activities. Staff collaborate to plan teaching that focuses on themes, activities and resourcing. How well teachers notice, recognise and respond to children’s individual learning needs requires strengthening. Children’s learning outcomes need to be identified in planning so that teachers are able to evaluate how effective their practice has been in promoting children's progress over time.

Profiles are useful records of children’s experiences and learning over time at the centre. The personalised narrative shows the significance of the learning, with some links made to activities at home. These are easily accessible to children who are often keen to revisit their learning. Including contributions from parents about their children’s learning continues to be an area for ongoing development.

Children have access to a wide range of resources that promote their exploration, creativity, dramatic play and construction. The outdoor environment is well designed. It offers physical challenge and creates interest to invite further exploration. Natural resources are visible in areas of the environment through recent planting of native trees and shrubs.

Good relationships with parents and whānau increase teachers' knowledge of children’s cultural backgrounds. Aspirations of families and whānau are sought and respected. Basic te reo Māori is heard from teachers and is visible on the centre walls. Aspects of tikanga Māori are observed in some centre practices. Teachers and leaders should continue to build their knowledge of how to respond to the language, culture and identities of all children at the centre through a culturally appropriate curriculum.

A teacher-led extension group is in place for four year olds. This is intended to provide preparation for transition to school through an increased emphasis on literacy and numeracy based on children’s interests. The centre has developed stronger links with the neighbouring school through increased sharing of information. Sustaining and continuing to strengthen this relationship should improve support for children as they transition to their next phase of education.

Self review is occurring and is guided by a set of useful prompting questions. Aspects of this result in positive changes being made in centre organisation and resourcing. The evaluation of the quality, effectiveness and worth of systems and practices is not consistently evident. Self-review practices and the capability to evaluate what systems and practices make the biggest difference to children’s learning needs improvement.

A limited appraisal cycle is in place. Teachers are encouraged to reflect on activities and their teaching. Teachers are beginning to consider what effective teaching practices look like in the context of the centre. However, the process is not rigorous enough to support teachers to improve. Teachers' next developmental steps and their links to appropriate professional development are not clearly identified.

Teachers are gathering evidence towards meeting the Practising Teacher Criteria. However, the useful guidance and framework in place for collating information has not been fully implemented or used appropriately.

Key Next Steps

Assessment, planning and evaluation need improvement. Explicit links between all three need to be more evident and purposeful. Formalising processes will assist teachers to ensure their teaching responds more effectively to children’s learning needs.

Guidance and expectations for teaching need further development to ensure that there is full enactment of centre philosophy and to promote quality outcomes for children.

Managers and teachers should strengthen their evaluative capacity and processes to better understand the effectiveness of their practices and the curriculum. Effective use of evidence-based internal evaluation should enable them to:

  • improve decision making, annual planning and target setting

  • measure the impact of teaching practices on children’s learning

  • establish next steps for improvement.

Areas for review, evaluation and development should include:

  • the extent to which the current appraisal process supports the continuous improvement in teaching practice

  • the impact of the curriculum, daily routines and centre organisation on promoting children’s learning

  • how well teachers reflect on and inquire into the effectiveness of their practice

  • what evidence is suitable for teachers to present for their Practising Teacher Certificate renewal.

Management Assurance on Legal Requirements

Before the review, the staff and management of Kapiti Children's Centre 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.

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:

  • 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 registration; ratios)

  • evacuation procedures and practices for fire and earthquake.

All early childhood services are required to promote children’s health and safety and to regularly review their compliance with legal requirements.

Development Plan Recommendation

ERO recommends that the service consult with the Ministry of Education and plan to address the key next steps and actions outlined in this report.

Next ERO Review

When is ERO likely to review the service again?

The next ERO review of Kapiti Children's Centre will be within two years.

Joyce Gebbie Deputy Chief Review Officer Central

12 April 2016

The Purpose of ERO Reports

The Education Review Office (ERO) is the government department that, as part of its work, reviews early childhood services throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. ERO’s reports provide information for parents and communities about each service’s strengths and next steps for development. ERO’s bicultural evaluation framework Ngā Pou Here is described in SECTION 3 of this report. Early childhood services are partners in the review process and are expected to make use of the review findings to enhance children's wellbeing and learning.

2 Information about the Early Childhood Service

Location

Raumati Beach

Ministry of Education profile number

60260

Licence type

Education & Care Service

Licensed under

Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008

Number licensed for

40 children, including up to 15 aged under 2

Service roll

52

Gender composition

Girls 28, Boys 24

Ethnic composition

Māori

Pākehā

Cook Island Māori

Other ethnic groups

2

47

1

2

Percentage of qualified teachers

0-49% 50-79% 80%+Based on funding rates

80% +

Reported ratios of staff to children

Under 2

1:4

Better than minimum requirements

Over 2

1:8

Better than minimum requirements

Review team on site

December 2015

Date of this report

12 April 2016

Most recent ERO report(s)

 

Education Review

March 2013

Education Review

March 2010

Education Review

October 2006

3 General Information about Early Childhood Reviews

ERO’s Evaluation Framework

ERO’s overarching question for an early childhood education review is ‘How well placed is this service to promote positive learning outcomes for children?’ ERO focuses on the following factors as described in the bicultural framework Ngā Pou Here:

Pou Whakahaere – how the service determines its vision, philosophy and direction to ensure positive outcomes for children

Pou Ārahi – how leadership is enacted to enhance positive outcomes for children

Mātauranga – whose knowledge is valued and how the curriculum is designed to achieve positive outcomes for children

Tikanga whakaako – how approaches to teaching and learning respond to diversity and support positive outcomes for children.

Within these areas ERO considers the effectiveness of arotake – self review and of whanaungatanga – partnerships with parents and whānau.

ERO evaluates how well placed a service is to sustain good practice and make ongoing improvements for the benefit of all children at the service.

A focus for the government is that all children, especially priority learners, have an opportunity to benefit from quality early childhood education. ERO will report on how well each service promotes positive outcomes for all children, with a focus on children who are Māori, Pacific, have diverse needs, and are up to the age of two.

For more information about the framework and Ngā Pou Here refer to ERO’s Approach to Review in Early Childhood Services.

ERO’s Overall Judgement and Next Review

The overall judgement that ERO makes and the timing of the next review will depend on how well placed a service is to promote positive learning outcomes for children. The categories are:

  • Very well placed – The next ERO review in four years
  • Well placed – The next ERO review in three years
  • Requires further development – The next ERO review within two years
  • Not well placed - The next ERO review in consultation with the Ministry of Education

ERO has developed criteria for each category. These are available on ERO’s website.

Review Coverage

ERO reviews are tailored to each service’s context and performance, within the overarching review framework. The aim is to provide information on aspects that are central to positive outcomes for children and useful to the service.