Blenheim Early Childhood Centres and Kindergartens Inc. John Street Preschool

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

Blenheim Early Childhood Centres and Kindergartens Inc. John Street Preschool is one of three community-based services under common ownership and board governance. A general manager oversees their operation. Each centre is managed by a head teacher. At the time of the review a restructure of operational management was underway.

Summary of Review Findings

Teachers implement an inclusive and responsive curriculum where children’s preferences are respected, and they are involved in decisions about their learning. Suitable strategies are used to promote children’s social competence. Opportunities to develop knowledge and an understanding of the cultural heritages of both parties to Te Tiriti o Waitangi are provided. Children have opportunities to enhance their learning and development both indoors and outside. A sufficient range of resources is provided to support the learning and abilities of those attending. Ongoing  monitoring of aspects of health and safety practices is required.

Key Next Steps

Next steps include:

• to be more intentional in using the learning outcomes from Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum, to show children’s progress over time in relation to their learning goals 
• make visible parent aspirations through planning and assessment documentation.

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

• any windows and other areas of glass accessible to children are either made of safety glass, covered by an adhesive film, or guarded by barriers
• heavy furniture, fixtures and equipment that could fall or topple and cause serious injury are secured
• an annual review of the emergency plan is undertaken
• emergency drills are evaluated to inform the annual review of the emergency plan
• a procedure for monitoring children’s sleep that specifies that they are checked for warmth, breathing and general wellbeing
• parents/caregivers have given prior written approval of the proposed ratio for regular excursions at the time of enrolment; and the signature of the Person Responsible is obtained prior to special excursions taking place
• a record of children’s illnesses is kept
• parents sign acknowledgment when medication has been given to their children.

Licensing Criteria for Early Childhood Education and Care Services 2008, PF7, HS6, HS7, HS8, HS9, HS17, HS27, HS28.

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

15 February 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 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:

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

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.

1 Evaluation of Blenheim Early Childhood Centres Inc. John Street Preschool

How well placed is Blenheim Early Childhood Centres Inc. John Street Preschool to promote positive learning outcomes for children?

The centre is well placed to promote positive outcomes for children.

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

Background

Blenheim Early Childhood Centres Inc. (BECC) John Street Preschool is one of three centres governed by Blenheim Early Childhood Centres Inc. Each centre operates independently with its own Head Teacher. The centres are governed by a Board who are elected members. A business manager oversees the business aspects of the service. An education advisor supports teaching and learning across the centres.

Most staff are qualified and certified teachers.

The centre is located in a purpose built building. It is licenced for up to 60 children, including up to 12 children under 2.

The centre management and teachers have made significant progress in the areas identified in the 2015 ERO report. Assessment, programme planning and evaluation comprehensively records children's progress and achievement. Professional development has successfully increased teachers' understanding in effectively supporting Māori to experience educational success as Māori. The board is well informed about the curriculum through regular reports and their role in supporting positive outcomes for children.

This review was part of a cluster where ERO reviewed all three of the centres in the Blenheim Early Childhood Centres Inc.

The Review Findings

The teachers have developed a clear vision and philosophy for children's learning and wellbeing that is well reflected in centre programmes and practices. Knowledge and use of the philosophy is evident in teaching practice and the creation of a safe, welcoming environment that is stimulating, engaging and empowering to children.

Children and teachers engage in genuine relationships that build children’s oral language and social skills. Children benefit from spacious, well-resourced and presented learning areas. This promotes their curiosity and provides opportunities for them to explore and take safe risks with confidence.

Infants' and toddlers' sense of wellbeing and learning are central to the approach in the under-two-year old area. Children have easy access to a range of equipment and resources. Infants and toddlers have comfortable safe spaces available for those who are not yet mobile. They experience calm routines, and a caring, unhurried environment. Staff are responsive to the individual needs of infants and toddlers.

Prominence is given to te ao Māori within a bicultural curriculum and children regularly see, hear and experience te reo Māori. Children’s cultures are acknowledged and celebrated, with parents and whānau involved in cultural celebrations.

Assessment, planning and evaluation processes comprehensively record children’s progress and achievements. Individual and group planning celebrates children’s successes. Areas requiring further development are identified and thoughtfully responded to in programme planning. Parents are well informed of children's learning interests through attractive and informative wall displays, and children's individual learning records.

Teachers help children and their families make a positive transition into and across the centre and on to school.

Teachers are responsive to the individual interests, strengths and capabilities of children. They work collaboratively with shared values and ways of working to support children's wellbeing and learning. Staff regularly share information about children's learning and development.

The centre management structure supports the effective operation of the centre. Professional learning and development ensures staff have a shared understanding of the centre’s future direction and priorities.

The BECC organisation works collaboratively with centre leaders to develop strategic planning, manage change and build leadership and teacher capability.

Key Next Steps

Centre leaders, and ERO agree, that the key next steps to improve outcomes for children are to:

• implement the new internal evaluation process across the teaching team
• develop opportunities for children to contribute to planning and evaluation
• embed the current appraisal practice, including documenting formal teaching observations.

Management Assurance on Legal Requirements

Before the review, the staff and management of Blenheim Early Childhood Centres Incorporated John Street Preschool 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 Blenheim Early Childhood Centres Incorporated John Street Preschool will be in three years.

Dr Lesley Patterson

Deputy Chief Review Officer

Te Waipounamu - Southern Region

11 May 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

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.