Te Whariki
We work alongside the New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum Te Whariki.
As a Centre we promote ‘Ka Hikitia - Managing for success, the Governments strategy for Maori achieving education success as Maori, emphasises the importance of the teacher-learner relationship. Ka Hikitia stresses the importance of identity, language and culture - teachers knowing where their students come from, and building on what students bring with them; and on productive partnerships among teachers, Maori learners, whanau and iwi.
What is Te Whariki?
Te Whariki is the first National curriculum for Early Childhood Education sector in New Zealand. Te Whariki sets out an interwoven and holistic approach to learning and development in the Early Childhood Years (education and care of children from birth to school age).
What is Early Childhood Curriculum?
The term curriculum is used in Te Whariki to describe the total experiences, activities and events whether direct or indirect, which occur in an environment, designed to foster children’s learning development.
The purpose of Te Whariki:
Improve quality of Early Childhood Education Services.
A clear focus on children’s learning and development.
A guide/base for, planning, assessment, and evaluation.
What is in Te Whariki?
Principles, Strands, Goals, and Learning Outcomes.
Principles: Empowerment, Holistic Development, Family and Community, Relationships.
Strands: Well-being, Belonging, Contribution, Communication, and Exploration.
Goals: there is a series of learning outcomes. E.g. Well-being.- Children experience an environment where their health is promoted.