NZCF and Te Whariki

Recommendation (7): that a section on the relationship between the New Zealand Curriculum/Te Marautanga O Aotearoa and Te Whäriki is developed

The New Zealand Curriculum Framework and Te Anga Marautanga o Aotearoa should include a section for primary schools on how to ensure a smooth transition between early childhood education for new entrants. This section should:

• outline the similarities and differences between the school curriculum frameworks and the early childhood curriculum;
• explain features of effective early childhood learning environments and ways that reception classroom learning environments can also reflect these features; and
• explain how schools and kura Mäori can develop closer relationships with parents/whänau, whänau and the community in the first two years of students' education.

Rationale

Smooth transitions between early childhood and school minimise the barriers to learning faced by young children.

Disjunction in approaches to teaching and learning hinder a child's ongoing development and reduce gains made in early childhood education.

If children's early primary school experiences interface appropriately with their early childhood experiences, they are likely to be confident that can participate fully and successfully in all learning opportunities.