We’re updating our early childhood curriculum, Te Whāriki, in response to sector feedback and are inviting feedback on the proposed changes.
A series of nationwide hui will take place from 4 November until 16 December 2016, and people can also give their feedback online.
Go to the Te Whāriki update consultation page for more information.
We want the updated Te Whāriki to be relevant and valued. Above all else we want it to empower every child to be competent, confident and eager to keep learning.
Te Whāriki has long been recognised as world leading and continues to be an important framework for delivering quality early childhood education. Updating it means it stays that way for years to come.
The update aims to better reflect today’s New Zealand and developments in educational thinking and practice. It includes fewer and clearer learning outcomes (twenty in total) and shows the links between early learning and the learning that happens at school and kura.
The vision, aspirations and framework for learning have not changed. The overall structure of principles, strands and goals remain.
The update was carried out by a team of expert writers, both academics and practitioners, from across the sector including Kōhanga Reo.
Te Whāriki places the child at the centre of the curriculum and emphasises the partnership between teachers, educators and kaiako in weaving local curriculum with parents, families, whānau and communities.
We’ll make the updated Te Whāriki available in hard copy and from our web site in early 2017. It will be accompanied by new online resources to help teachers, educators and kaiako put Te Whāriki into use.
A quality curriculum and excellent implementation is critical to building a strong educational foundation for all children.