Early childhood strategy
“Having qualified has allowed me to recognise there are opportunities for learning in every single thing that happens in a day," says Linda Doherty, ECE teacher.
Although participation is voluntary, attendance levels within early childhood education services continue to increase for all ages. By the time they enter primary school, most children have had the benefit of an early childhood education programme in addition to the care and education provided in their own home.
The ECE Strategic Plan, released in 2002, has defined the way forward for early childhood education until 2012. One of the main goals of the strategy is to improve the quality of early childhood services. This will be achieved by having all teachers meet the same professional standard.
By 2012 all teachers in teacher-led services are required to be registered or studying towards a recognised ECE teaching qualification. Registered early childhood teachers are therefore in great demand.
Te Whāriki, the ECE curriculum
Te Whāriki is the Ministry of Education’s early childhood curriculum policy statement.
The four principles and five strands of the curriculum are:
principles
Holistic Development / Kotahitanga
Empowerment / Whakamana
Family and Community / Whanau Tangata
Relationships / Nga Hononga
strands
Well being / Mana Atua
Belonging / Mana Whenua
Contribution / Mana Tangata
Communication / Mana Reo
Exploration / Mana Aoturoa