ERO Review 2006

Education REVIEW REPORT

HUTT PLAYCENTRE ASSOCIATION, AUGUST 2006

Background

The Supporting Parents Alongside Children's Education (SPACE) programme is aimed at first-time parents with infants generally up to three months old on entry. It consists of weekly sessions run at a playcentre for up to four terms. At the time of the 2003 ERO review, SPACE was being piloted in two playcentres with 15 parents in each programme. Evaluation of these sessions confirmed the need for, and value of, such a programme in the Hutt Valley. By the end of 2005, 17 programmes had been completed, with approximately 220 families participating.

To evaluate the quality of the SPACE programme ERO interviewed members of the SPACE team, held discussions with members at each playcentre, visited a SPACE session, spoke to a sample of participants and considered a range of documentation.

Areas of good performance

• A small, dedicated team has developed this innovative programme over the past three years. They have a strong culture of reflection and review for continual improvement. Manuals are critiqued and modified regularly in line with feedback and adaptations to the programme.
• The association has provided strong support for the development of the programme. Levy breaks were granted, community funding sought and individual officers' expertise utilised, in particular that of the employment officer. The position of a SPACE support person was created and funded, initially for a one-year period.
• The SPACE programme is soundly grounded in current early childhood theory and practice. It consists of three units covering a range of discussion topics and information for first-time parents of infants. The programme incorporates four key elements:
  • a stimulating learning environment to support play and infants' development;
  • parent education on child development, play, parenting and infant health;
  • support for parents; and
  • networking for participants with professional and community organisations and other course members.
• SPACE sessions allow parents to meet their child's needs and build friendships with other parents in the same situation. Babies move freely as they interact with a range of very appropriate resources and other adults and infants. Course participants report that this programme has played a vital role in learning about, and feeling comfortable with, their new role as parents. They gain a sound understanding about quality early childhood education, and what to look for when choosing providers. Parents develop confidence in observing and articulating their child's learning.
• High quality documentation has been produced from the SPACE team to support the programme. Several colour-coded, easy-to-follow manuals provide guidelines for the course and its facilitators. They include roles, responsibilities and job descriptions for the SPACE team. These documents assist in maintaining a high standard of education and consistency in delivery of the programme. They also assist centres to take on the responsibility for the programme without depending on the association.
• The programme continues to evolve. A national hui was held in November 2005 with the assistance of Ministry of Social Development funding to promote the programme to other playcentre associations. This has been followed by facilitators' training in April 2006 so that other associations can deliver the programme. Manuals and a memorandum of understanding have been developed for this to occur. Parents in other parts of New Zealand are now able to benefit from this valuable programme.
• Te Marua/Mangaroa Playcentre is currently one of the Ministry of Education's Centres of Innovation. This involves researching how the SPACE programme fosters learning for new parents and infants and builds collaborative relationships and support across agencies. The findings of the project will then be disseminated to playcentres nationwide and to local community groups and services.
• A three-year training and development plan gives a broad overview of the SPACE team's vision for the programme. An annual programme management plan covers employment, recruitment, training, documentation, equipment, publicity, funding and timelines. An outcomes document reports progress and implementation of specific tasks under three broad headings: public relations, communication and administration, and training and development. Detailed minutes record tasks, responsibilities and timelines and clearly show the evolution of the programme and the hard work of those involved.
• Significant impacts for the playcentres as a result of having a SPACE session include:
  • increased knowledge and awareness about playcentre in the community;
  • a growth in the playcentre membership;
  • many SPACE participants completing course 1 prior to enrolling in other sessions, and understanding playcentre philosophy and their role as a member of the parent cooperative prior to starting;
  • up-skilling centre members who are involved in supporting the programme and are therefore having a positive effect on other playcentre sessions; and
  • the acquisition of skills that foster warm, positive interactions with children.
• High levels of ongoing professional development are provided for SPACE facilitators. They also participate in regular network meetings where they are involved in discussions to aid and increase knowledge and develop a shared understanding. The recent implementation of team appraisals is providing facilitators and support people with very useful feedback about their sessions.

Area for improvement

• The SPACE team is aware of the need to further develop the manuals and resources to include a greater bicultural perspective.