First Years 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

At the time of the review, ERO identified areas of non-compliance with regulatory standards that are an unacceptable risk to children. 

Background

First Years Preschool is a community based non-profit service. A recently appointed centre manager and two newly selected head teachers lead a team of 12 qualified teachers and two educators. Two fifths of enrolled children are Māori. The service philosophy places value on building meaningful relationships with children, parents and whānau.

Summary of Review Findings

The service’s curriculum is responsive to children as confident and competent learners. Adults providing education and care engage in meaningful positive interactions to enhance children’s learning and nurture reciprocal relationships. 

The service acknowledges and reflects the unique place of Māori as tangata whenua. Children develop knowledge and an understanding of the cultural heritage of both parties to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

A process of internal evaluation is being implemented to help maintain and improve the quality of education and care. The curriculum provided is consistent with Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum.

The service needs to improve and monitor operational systems and practices to maintain regulatory standards. 

Actions for Compliance 

ERO found areas of non-compliance in the service relating to:

• having evidence of review of the written emergency management plan on at least an annual basis
• having evidence of how evaluation of relevant emergency drills has informed the annual review of the service’s emergency plan
• ensuring all children’s workers who have access to children are safety checked every three years in accordance with the Children’s Act 2014
• implementing an annual plan that identifies how key tasks will have regard to the Statement of National Education and Learning Priorities (NELP).
  Licensing Criteria for Early Childhood Education and Care Centres 2008, HS7, HS8, GMA7A, GMA8.

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

• Ensuring heavy furniture or equipment that could fall or topple and cause serious injury or damage is secured (HS6).
• Ensuring daily checks of equipment, premises and facilities for hazards to children include all areas required by the licensing criterion (HS12).
• Evidence of parents/caregivers' written approval of the proposed ratio for special excursions prior to the excursion taking place (HS17).

Recommendation to Ministry of Education 

ERO recommends that the Ministry reassess the licence issued to this service provider. ERO will not undertake a further review of this service until the Ministry of Education is satisfied that the service meets regulatory standards.

Next ERO Review 

The next ERO review will be in consultation with the Ministry of Education. 

Patricia Davey
Director of Early Childhood Education (ECE)

 29 November 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. 

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

First Years Preschool is a community based centre in Dannevirke. The service is governed by a volunteer committee. A centre manager leads a large teaching team and many have been with the service for a long period of time. Significant building developments are planned to begin in 2021.

Summary of Review Findings

The service’s curriculum is informed by Te Whāriki and assessment and planning systems. It reflects children’s interests and parents’ aspirations. Kaiako engage in meaningful and positive interactions to enhance learning and nurture reciprocal relationships.

The curriculum is responsive to children as capable and competent learners whose preferences are respected. Children have a range of opportunities to extend their learning.

Children are given opportunity to develop knowledge and understanding of the cultural heritages of both parties of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Actions for Compliance

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

• assessment and management of risk being undertaken when children leave the premises on an excursion [HS17]
• a record of all food provided by the service is maintained in the under two year old area [HS19]
• 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.

Phil Cowie
Director Review and Improvement Services (Central)
Central Region | Te Tai Pūtahi Nui

15 February 2021 

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.