Gladstone Park Education Review Office Report 2006
The Education Review Office last reviewed Gladstone Park Early Childhood Centre in 2006. The full report is available from the ERO's website. The report's summary letter is included below.
5 December 2006
To the Parents and Community of Gladstone Park Early Childhood Centre
These are the findings of the Education Review Office's latest report on Gladstone Park Early Childhood Centre.
Gladstone Park Early Childhood Centre was established by the Parnell Community Trust in 1997 and is managed by a centre manager. The centre caters for a group of children up to two years of age and another group aged between two and five years. The centre has increased its roll numbers since the 2003 ERO review and is now licensed for 46 children, with a maximum of 16 under two years.
Predictable routines and expectations result in children being settled and secure in the centre environment. They have friendly relationships with their peers and enjoy opportunities to talk and play with others. Teachers respond positively to children's interests and through their conversations provide children with good opportunities for language learning.
Teachers are keen to provide children with learning opportunities that are interesting and satisfying. They recognise that many of the children are articulate and able to express their opinions and ideas clearly. Staff members have sustained conversations with children about things that are interesting to them. They have identified that they would like to enhance the science area of the programme. This is likely to provide ways to challenge children by encouraging them to reason, predict and set and solve problems related to their own interests. The 2003 ERO report recommended that teachers give further thought to providing learning challenges for children.
Children learn in a safe environment that is attractive and well resourced. Thought has been given to providing appropriate physical challenges for the age range of children who attend. Many children are in the centre for extended periods of time. Teachers could review the opportunities that are available for activities such as construction play with junk materials, carpentry and messy play, for example. These activities provide different experiences from those currently offered.
Parents have ready access to information about the centre and its systems. Wall displays, newsletters and children's folios all provide information about the programme and activities of the centre. Parents are welcome in the centre and are encouraged to talk with teachers about their child.
The centre manager is responsible for the day-to-day running of the centre. She contributes to the Trust's annual and strategic planning. This report suggests that she should use the centre's self-review systems to reflect more critically on the programme that is provided for children to ensure that it remains responsive to their learning needs.
This review focuses on the learning programmes provided for children, the learning environment and the interactions between children and adults. It also evaluates the progress that the centre has made with self review and how it intends to meet qualification requirements. The report identifies areas of good performance and areas for improvement. ERO finds that the centre has established a very sound foundation for further development.