A Curriculum Framework for Early Childhood Education: Consultation Document

This document outlines the proposal for making the Principles/Ngā Kaupapa Whakahaere and Strands/Ngā Taumata Whakahirahira of Te Whāriki: He Whāriki Mātauranga mō ngā Mokopuna o Aotearoa the compulsory curriculum framework for all early childhood education. Please send your feedback by 26 March 2007
Last update: 27-Feb-2007

Ministerial foreword

Ensuring that all of our young people have the best possible start in life is vital to the well-being of our families, communities and country as a whole.

I believe that early childhood education is one of the most exciting areas to be involved in. Those who work in early childhood education are influencing and helping children and their families create a solid foundation for their future learning and lives.

Research has shown us that children who take part in quality ECE continue to see the benefits right through to fourteen years of age.

It has been five years since we started working towards achieving the goals of Pathways to the Future: Ngā Huarahi Arataki, the 10-year Strategic Plan for ECE. This has seen the sector and the government work together to take important steps for the future of ECE.

Our Strategic Plan focuses on improving quality by improving the level of quality of teaching and learning for our children. Underneath the Strategic Plan will be a curriculum framework to guide and support how we provide teaching and learning. Across the sector, this framework will give us a strong base that we can weave all our work and programmes around.

This document outlines the proposal for making the Principles/Ngā Kaupapa Whakahaere and Strands/Ngā Taumata Whakahirahira of Te Whāriki: He Whāriki Mātauranga mō ngā Mokopuna o Aotearoa the compulsory curriculum framework for all early childhood education.

I encourage you to read this document, and provide feedback. With our combined work, we can continue to strengthen early childhood education in New Zealand.

Hon Steve Maharey
Minister of Education

Purpose of document

This document outlines the introduction of a required curriculum framework for all licensed early childhood education (ECE) services and certificated playgroups in New Zealand. A curriculum framework would introduce a formal, common basis for all early childhood education curriculum development and implementation in the new regulatory environment.

It is proposed that the curriculum framework be the Principles/Ngā Kaupapa Whakahaere and Strands/Ngā Taumata Whakahirahira of Te Whāriki.

We would like to hear your views about using the Principles/Ngā Kaupapa Whakahaere and Strands/Ngā Taumata Whakahirahira of Te Whāriki as the curriculum framework and what it would mean for services and playgroups. Your feedback will help decide the best way of regulating a curriculum framework across the ECE sector.

To see the full document A Curriculum Framework for Early Childhood Education: Consultation Document