Spike@School v4.0 http://www.mckenziecentre.nzl.org/1/message_boards/1-reviews/threads.rss en-nz The following is an extract of the External Review of the Specialist Service Standards conducted by the Ministry of Education on 8 – 10 February 2010. The standards are organised into eight steps of a Service Pathway: • Access • Engagement • Assessment and analysis • Programme planning • Implementation • Review • Closure • Follow- up and reflection This review evaluated in significant depth the extent to which McKenzie Centre meets the Specialist Service Standards for two steps of the Service Pathway – “Access” and “Assessment and Analysis”, by tracking the services to selected children who are receiving Early Intervention funding. The Reviewers interviewed the Centre Director, staff in their capacity as Specialists and Key Workers, two teachers in the Early Childhood Centres that the selected children attend and the parents of the selected children. They also examined relevant documentation and records and made judgments about the quality of McKenzie Centre’s self review process. The findings: McKenzie Centre has strong relationships and networks with the community. This means that families, whanau and educators are able to make informed choices about the range of services and service providers in their area. Management at McKenzie Centre is very competent. The Centre Director is well organised and provides strong leadership and professional support to the specialists. Specialists, management and parents work closely together. This means that there is true partnership with parents who are fully involved in all decisions made about services for their children. McKenzie Centre has robust assessment processes. Careful planning takes place around the initial assessment and subsequent ongoing assessments, which are purposeful, culturally sensitive and take into account the language background of the child. McKenzie Centre is meeting Professional Practice Standards for “Access” and “Assessment and Analysis” as well as “Management” and “Organizational Standards” related to “Access”. McKenzie Centre has effective systems for identifying strengths and weaknesses as part of its self review process. Those who receive service from McKenzie Centre can be confident that management and specialists have the self knowledge which allows them to continually reflect on the quality of their service provision. McKenzie Centre is meeting all but one of the ‘Management” and “Organizational Standards” for “Assessment and Analysis” … which is the reporting by contracted specialists to McKenzie Centre about their professional development, professional supervision and support so that management can be certain that the contracted specialists are competent in providing service to children and their families. This requirement has since been addressed and steps have been put in place to ensure that this is recorded by McKenzie Centre on an annual basis. The next external review of the Specialist Standards will be in three years time. http://www.mckenziecentre.nzl.org/1/message_boards/1-reviews/threads/9-specialist-service-review Parent Survey 2009 Feedback comments Every year McKenzie Centre conducts a Parent survey to help review how and what we are doing and whether there are areas parents would like us to build into our service so that we can better meet the needs of families. We really appreciate learning about parents’ thoughts and ideas, and a survey is a good way to do this. We receive funding from the Ministries of Health and Education and are required to report back to them regularly. They want to know we are offering families the services they need. This year, 2009, the focus of the survey was Assessment. Here are some of the 2009 comments… “Everyone always makes you feel welcome. Staff are so friendly & approachable. Lots of fun & energy going on too! My son loves it. Bringing all the parents together for a coffee is an awesome idea too. Even if you are a bit scared to join in, you are made to feel really welcome.” “We have been very impressed with all aspects of the centre and regard ourselves as fortunate to be able to take advantage of the facility.” “Very inviting & comforting environment where the whole family is made to feel welcome- even our older son. So many opportunities to offer.” “Am very pleased with everyone & everything here. Awesome staff!” “All staff make children feel welcome. You go at the child’s pace. Good at communicating with families.” “Always keep us up to date. Provide work sheets to take home weekly. Therapists really care & have a personal touch.” “Step by step teaching. Good positive manner. Working hard & helping children to progress & help to reach goals.” “Always there if we have any questions, always willing to listen to our ideas!” “Keeping me informed about my son. Making sure my son gets his learning needs met. Offering advice for other family siblings to help me & now my children are settled & happy. Teaching me how to be a more confident & consistent parent, this has enriched our family.” “Genuine personal interest in child & families.” “Feel very welcome & accepted – thank you!” “We are so grateful to be able to attend McKenzie Centre as everyone is incredible & in the short time we have been coming (our son) has improved so much & we have all learnt so much. I am particularly impressed at how welcomed & involved (his older brother) is. He enjoys coming as much as (the younger one) & is also gaining so much from the experience – thank you, thank you, thank you.” “Love the new outside play area. Love music time. Computer games are a hit. (The Psychologist) is such a help & it’s good to know you are not going completely mad.” “I feel … so privileged… and lucky to be able to use this centre. Coming here has helped our family in so many ways, keep up the great work.” “I am a grandparent. I have found the McKenzie Centre staff very helpful. Staff take what leads they can from the children & turn them into a learning & fun situation for them. I have learned not to yell at my grandson & to redirect him quietly.” http://www.mckenziecentre.nzl.org/1/message_boards/1-reviews/threads/7-parent-survey-2009-feedback Huge thanks to all the wonderful people who took part in this year's Round the Bridges Fun Run on Sunday November 15th, especially those who made donations directly to McKenzie Centre and in particular to the organizers for making McKenzie Centre the nominated charity. Nearly 5,000 people ran and walked their way along Hamilton's beautiful river paths to participate, compete, get fit or have fun and help the Centre. http://www.mckenziecentre.nzl.org/1/message_boards/1-reviews/threads/6-round-the-bridges-fun-run The 25th Celebration was held on Saturday 10th October at the Southwell School Performing Arts Centre, 7:30pm. The 3-course meal and entertainment by the pop opera group “Lyrica” followed by a charity auction with auctioneer Brian King was enjoyed by those who attended. Auction items included a cricket bat autographed by the Black Caps, Magic autographed match ball and cap, “A day in the Life” with Sir Patrick Hogan, a Sarah Ulmer signed shirt, an original painting by “Jock” artist David Henshaw, weekends away, a tennis lesson and much more. Sponsors for the night were Stace Hammond and Partners, Manu Bay Wines, New World Te Rapa, Talking Tech and ArtWorx. One parent who attended said,"It was a great night and the food was to die for." Another parent said,"Lyrica were fabulous...I'm really pleased we went." Just over ten thousand dollars were raised for the Centre. These funds will be put toward operational expenses. Our new branding was launched on the night and it was a great celebration of providing early intervention in the Waikato. http://www.mckenziecentre.nzl.org/1/message_boards/1-reviews/threads/3-25th-anniversary-celebrations-10-october-at-southwell-school