ero report
:
Rocket Kids Early Learning Centre
11/02/2015
Evaluation of Rocket Kids Early Learning Centre
How well placed is Rocket Kids Early Learning Centre to promote positive learning outcomes for children?
Well placed
ERO's findings that support this overall judgement are summarised below.
Background:
Rocket Kids Early Learning Centre serves a multi-ethnic community and operates from a converted villa. The owners work together with the newly appointed centre manager to lead and manage the daily operations of the centre. The centre offers education and care for fifty children, including a maximum of sixteen children under two years old. It promotes affordable education to working families in the community. Parents have the option to choose half day sessions for children under three years of age.
The majority of staff are registered teachers. The newly appointed centre manager has begun to build a collaborative and cohesive teaching team. She works closely with the owners to promote the strategic direction and values of the centre.
The centre has a large outdoor space and separate areas for age-related groups. Transition from one area of the centre to the next is dependent on children’s readiness. Teachers work closely with parents to ensure that these changes for children are managed well.
Centre managers have responded well to address areas for development identified in ERO’s 2012 review of the centre. Significant changes have been made and a culture of ongoing improvement has been developed. The centre is focused on providing quality early childhood education and care for its community.
The Review Findings:
Children settle quickly into the centre. They are confident and articulate about their play choices and are encouraged to follow their interests and initiate their own learning. Children’s conversations and ideas are fostered in the centre’s homely environment. They support each other when playing together and have positive relationships with adults at the centre. Teachers support children to learn as they play.
Teachers are responsive to children and encourage them to enjoy activities in both indoor and outdoor play areas. Their practices reflect the importance they place on child-centred learning and on consulting children about what they want to do. Teachers use Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum, to develop programmes for specific groups of children and to plan in accordance with children’s interests.
The centre’s bicultural curriculum has recently undergone significant improvement and teachers are using te reo Māori more in the programme. Teachers could now consider ways to further develop the bicultural curriculum and also include multi-ethnic perspectives in the programme.
Staff share a collective sense of responsibility for children in the centre. They work well in teams, work actively to build good relationships with parents, and reflect the cultures of the children that attend. Parents and whānau are valued and welcomed into the centre. They relate well to teachers and enjoy opportunities provided to be part of daily centre activities and excursions. Teachers and leaders work collaboratively to build a culture of respect at the centre.
The newly appointed centre manager has implemented useful management systems. A comprehensive appraisal system is in place and new teachers are supported to achieve their professional goals. Teachers benefit from ongoing support for professional learning development to meet their specific needs.
Disclaimer
Individual ERO school and early childhood centre reports are public information and may be copied or sent electronically. However, the Education Review Office can guarantee only the authenticity of original documents which have been obtained in hard copy directly from either the local ERO office or ERO National Office in Wellington.
Please consult your telephone book, or see the ERO web page, http://www.ero.govt.nz, for ERO office addresses.
Rocket Kids Early Learning Centre
11/02/2015
Evaluation of Rocket Kids Early Learning Centre
How well placed is Rocket Kids Early Learning Centre to promote positive learning outcomes for children?
Well placed
ERO's findings that support this overall judgement are summarised below.
Background:
Rocket Kids Early Learning Centre serves a multi-ethnic community and operates from a converted villa. The owners work together with the newly appointed centre manager to lead and manage the daily operations of the centre. The centre offers education and care for fifty children, including a maximum of sixteen children under two years old. It promotes affordable education to working families in the community. Parents have the option to choose half day sessions for children under three years of age.
The majority of staff are registered teachers. The newly appointed centre manager has begun to build a collaborative and cohesive teaching team. She works closely with the owners to promote the strategic direction and values of the centre.
The centre has a large outdoor space and separate areas for age-related groups. Transition from one area of the centre to the next is dependent on children’s readiness. Teachers work closely with parents to ensure that these changes for children are managed well.
Centre managers have responded well to address areas for development identified in ERO’s 2012 review of the centre. Significant changes have been made and a culture of ongoing improvement has been developed. The centre is focused on providing quality early childhood education and care for its community.
The Review Findings:
Children settle quickly into the centre. They are confident and articulate about their play choices and are encouraged to follow their interests and initiate their own learning. Children’s conversations and ideas are fostered in the centre’s homely environment. They support each other when playing together and have positive relationships with adults at the centre. Teachers support children to learn as they play.
Teachers are responsive to children and encourage them to enjoy activities in both indoor and outdoor play areas. Their practices reflect the importance they place on child-centred learning and on consulting children about what they want to do. Teachers use Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum, to develop programmes for specific groups of children and to plan in accordance with children’s interests.
The centre’s bicultural curriculum has recently undergone significant improvement and teachers are using te reo Māori more in the programme. Teachers could now consider ways to further develop the bicultural curriculum and also include multi-ethnic perspectives in the programme.
Staff share a collective sense of responsibility for children in the centre. They work well in teams, work actively to build good relationships with parents, and reflect the cultures of the children that attend. Parents and whānau are valued and welcomed into the centre. They relate well to teachers and enjoy opportunities provided to be part of daily centre activities and excursions. Teachers and leaders work collaboratively to build a culture of respect at the centre.
The newly appointed centre manager has implemented useful management systems. A comprehensive appraisal system is in place and new teachers are supported to achieve their professional goals. Teachers benefit from ongoing support for professional learning development to meet their specific needs.
Disclaimer
Individual ERO school and early childhood centre reports are public information and may be copied or sent electronically. However, the Education Review Office can guarantee only the authenticity of original documents which have been obtained in hard copy directly from either the local ERO office or ERO National Office in Wellington.
Please consult your telephone book, or see the ERO web page, http://www.ero.govt.nz, for ERO office addresses.