Waikanae Montessori Preschool - 14/12/2020

• On this page:

• ERO’s Judgement
• Background
• Summary of Review Findings
• Key Next Steps
• Next ERO Review
• Information About the Service
• General Information about Assurance Reviews

ERO’s Judgement

At the time of the review, ERO found the service was taking reasonable steps to meet regulatory standards.

Background

Waikanae Montessori Preschool is an all-day early learning service situated in Waikanae. The centre is organised into two mixed-age classrooms providing learning experiences that are underpinned by Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum and the Montessori philosophy. Children from diverse cultural backgrounds attend the service.

Summary of Review Findings

Children participate in a child led, play-based programme. The service’s curriculum is informed by assessment, planning and evaluation that demonstrates an understanding of children’s learning, development and interests. It also acknowledges and celebrates the unique place of Māori as tangata whenua. 

The design and layout of the premises support the provision of different types of indoor and outdoor learning experiences for all children. Adults providing education and care, engage in positive interactions to enhance children’s learning and nurture reciprocal relationships.  

A policy framework and annual planning guide operation. Health and safe procedures are implemented, monitored and changes made when required.

Key Next Steps

Next steps include:

• continue to build on and celebrate the localised curriculum and make explicit intentional teaching strategies and evaluate the impact of these on children’s learning in assessment documentation.

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

14 December 2020

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.