Preparing for ERO Review with Purpose, Not Panic

Let’s be honest — the words “ERO is coming” can send a ripple of panic through even the calmest centre. Suddenly, there’s a rush to tidy the office, update the policy folder, and find that one document you swore you filed somewhere.

But here’s the truth: if your team is reflecting regularly, living your philosophy, and truly knowing your children — you’re already “ERO ready.”

ERO shouldn’t feel like an inspection. It should feel like a kōrero — a professional conversation about your story, your people, and the impact of your teaching.

1. Stop Performing. Start Reflecting.

ERO isn’t looking for polished performances or perfectly phrased answers. They’re looking for authentic practice — for kaiako who know what they do, why they do it, and how it makes a difference.

So stop “preparing for ERO review” and start doing what actually matters: reflecting with purpose.

The ECE Improvement Framework (teacher-led services) and Te Ara Poutama are not checklists — they’re tools to help you tell your story. When you connect your everyday practice to those indicators, you’ll find you’ve been doing this all along — just without the panic. If your team is still finding confidence in connecting reflection with impact, my Intentional Practice Reference Guide can help. It brings all the key ECE frameworks together in one simple, teacher-friendly resource.

“ERO readiness isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about having the conversations that matter.”

2. Show Manaakitanga — Be a Human, Not a Host

We talk about building relationships with tamariki and whānau — but how often do we model that same manaakitanga with ERO?

They’re people too. Treat them that way.

When they arrive, greet them like you would whānau. Have a whiteboard message that invites them into your space, “Nau mai, haere mai — we’re glad you’re here!” Show them around, introduce them to your team, and point out where they can make a coffee or sit quietly to work.

It’s not about impressing — it’s about caring. That’s how you show who you are before a single question is asked.

A welcoming touch for ERO visitors — simple gestures like this reflect the manaakitanga and warmth that make your centre’s culture shine.

3. Get Your House in Order — and Know Your Story

Yes, compliance matters. It’s not the exciting part, but it’s the foundation that keeps everything standing strong.

Have your compliance folder ready with your Self Audit evidence. Go through the required documentation and have it ready. This will include your safety checking, policy reviews— hazard and sleep checklists, emergency plans and drills, professional growth cycle, examples of curriculum planning and assessment and your latest internal evaluation.

But here’s the kicker — it’s not enough to just have the paperwork. You have to know it.

If you can’t explain how your policies live in practice, they’re just words in a binder. If you can’t connect your internal evaluation to actual shifts in teaching, it’s just a report.

If you’d like a simple way to connect your processes to quality improvement, try my free Reflective Planning Template or Curious Conversation Starters. They’re perfect to demonstrate how team wānanga or PGC discussions contribute to positive outcomes for children.

“ERO doesn’t want to read your policies — they want to see them in action.”

4. Bring Your Team Into the Preparing for ERO review process (Because You Can’t Fake Culture)

A calm, confident team is your best evidence. ERO can feel the difference the moment they walk in.

If only one or two people can explain your vision or your current focus, that’s a red flag. Everyone should know it — not because it’s been drilled into them, but because they live it every day.

Run a few wānanga before the visit. Ask:

• What is important to us?

• Where is our philosophy evident in our practice?

• What are we most proud of?

Let kaiako share real examples — stories of tamariki learning, moments of reflection, decisions made together.

That’s your evidence. That’s your culture speaking.

Having your compliance folder organised and ready — policies, GMA evidence, and internal evaluation — shows clarity, confidence, and care in your practice.

5. Tell Your Story Boldly

ERO doesn’t want a cookie-cutter service. They want to see you.

Your local curriculum. Your learning priorities. The way your community shapes your decisions. If your planning is grounded in local stories, reo, and whānau voice — own that.

Stop hiding your uniqueness to fit someone else’s model. Authenticity is what sets you apart.

“Your philosophy isn’t a poster on the wall. It’s the way people feel when they walk through your doors.”

6. Keep It Calm — Not Chaotic

In the week before ERO, the energy you hold as a leader matters more than anything you can print or laminate.

You can tell when a team is spiralling into stress — the laughter stops, the small things start to feel big, and people stop making eye contact.

So take a breath. Bring people together. Have kai, share encouragement, go over what’s going well. Let everyone know — it’s okay to say “We’re still working on this.” ERO appreciates honesty more than perfection. If you’re a leader trying to hold calm and clarity for your team in the lead-up to review, I also offer leadership mentoring and workshops to feel more grounded, confident, and intentional before ERO.

7. Lead With Heart

At the end of the day, preparing for ERO is not about ticking boxes — it’s about standing proudly in your practice.

If your culture is built on reflection, trust, and authentic relationships, that’s what will shine through.

“ERO isn’t something to survive. It’s a moment to show who you are.”

If you’d like to strengthen your team’s confidence, reflection, and ability to connect evidence with impact, HeartLead NZ offers consultation, workshops and resources to help you prepare with calm, clarity, and heart.

And if you’d like to keep learning with me, join the HeartLead Newsletter for free monthly insights, tips, and resources.

Quick Guide: What ERO Actually Looks At

What	What It’s Really About
Te Ara Poutama (Indicators of Quality for ECE)	What quality practice looks like — the ‘what matters most’.
ECE Improvement Framework (teacher-led services)	How ERO judges the quality of conditions and improvement over time.
What makes your service unique	The real stuff — your connections, values, and lived examples these.