ERO Reports

How well placed is Barnardos KidStart Childcare - Manurewa East Early Learning Centre to promote positive learning outcomes for children?

Not well placed

Requires further development

Well placed

Very well placed

Background

Barnardos KidStart Childcare – Manurewa East Early Learning Centre operates under the umbrella of the Barnardos organisation which provides on-going management and professional support.

The centre operates in the grounds of the local primary school and caters for 50 children including 12 up to two years of age. The centre provides full day education and care for the local, diverse community. High numbers of children attending have Māori heritage.

The recent appointment of a new head teacher has prompted teachers to review and redevelop their philosophy statement in collaboration with whānau. It has also led to changes in the centre environment, particularly with arrangements of playing spaces and displays. The new teaching team comprises predominantly qualified teachers.

The 2012 ERO review of the centre was its first. The report describes strengths in the programme, and sound relationships with and respect for the cultural heritages of whānau. The report also noted that planning systems, self review and parent involvement were areas that could improve. Teachers were also encouraged to focus on implementing strategies to increase the complexity of children’s play. Teachers continue to address these areas.

The Review Findings

Teachers warmly welcome children and their families at the start of their day. Children are quick to settle to play. They display a strong sense of belonging and wellbeing in their conversations with teachers and their friends. Families are comfortable and relaxed with teachers, sharing news from home and staying briefly to settle their children. It is obvious that teachers know children and their families well. Parents are beginning to contribute to programmes.

Teachers plan and provide programmes that effectively entice children to participate and make choices about their play. Resources are stored attractively and recent reorganisation has made more room for interesting displays to attract children. Children move freely between the indoor and outdoor areas. Teachers are careful about arranging activities to take advantage of shade.

Children are engaged in their play. The younger children are able to play, for the majority of the day, with their older siblings and friends. Teachers prompted support for the little ones’ learning by encouraging thoughtful tuakana teina relationships. Older children are careful and loving with the younger children.

Teacher use effective strategies to encourage children to think for themselves and to solve problems as part of their play. Most conversations with children are held down at their level and are one-to-one. Some teachers are also able to engage with children through use of their home languages. Children are articulate with teachers and their peers. There is still a need to continue to support children to elaborate and extend the complexity of their play.

Barnardos supports teachers to understand and acknowledge New Zealand’s bicultural heritage in their work with children and families. This is a strength in Barnardos - Manurewa East. Teachers all strive to include te reo Māori in their interactions and displays. Teachers recognise the importance of family heritage. Resources also include many with Māori themes or language. Displays and language also acknowledge the smaller number of Pacific Island and Indian children who attend.

Teachers have developed relationships with the school which is on site. This supports the sharing of information about children who will attend the school, and the programmes that support their development and learning in the centre. Teachers are planning an in-depth researched self review to support them to integrate literacy and numeracy in play. It will also focus on further enhancing children’s social competence and confidence as key steps for children’s easy transition to school.

Barnardos provide effective and ongoing support for teachers to improve practice and to strengthen teaching and learning programmes. Appraisal systems encourage teacher’s recognition of their responsibilities, as registered teachers, to maintain high standards of learning and teaching. Professional learning is provided as internal and external professional development. Administration and management are well organised, and systems are current. Despite several changes to leadership roles and positions, the centre remains efficient and sustainable.

ERO References