2024 Parents Guide to Te Whāriki

Parents Guide to Te Whāriki: Curious Minds Childcare

At Curious Minds, we believe in providing a safe and engaging environment where babies, toddlers, and young children can explore, create, and learn. We recognize that each child is on their own unique learning journey and are committed to fostering their curiosity in a responsive and nurturing environment.

Our play-based curriculum is designed to help children discover the world around them in meaningful ways. Teachers notice, recognise, and respond to each child’s ideas and interests, ensuring the learning environment sparks curiosity and supports their growth. By using a variety of responsive teaching strategies, we guide each child’s development at their own pace.

The Foundation of Our Curriculum: Te Whāriki

At the core of Curious Minds is New Zealand’s early childhood education curriculum, Te Whāriki. This framework guides both our program and our teachers' practices. It outlines principles, strands, goals, and learning outcomes, which are embedded throughout all of our activities and interactions with children. Each Curious Minds service has a unique philosophy tailored to meet the aspirations of the children and families in their community.

Te Whāriki Explained

Te Whāriki is organised into principles and strands, which define how children learn and develop. The principles are core values woven throughout the curriculum, while the strands describe five key areas of learning and development. These strands each contain specific goals and learning outcomes that support children’s growth across various domains.

The Principles of Te Whāriki:

• Empowerment | Whakamana – The curriculum empowers children to learn and grow.
  Example: We provide children with opportunities to express their ideas, try new things, and explore their interests through play.
• Holistic Development | Kotahitanga – Children’s learning is viewed holistically, supporting cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development.
  Example: Activities like playdough help children develop creativity, fine motor skills, and emotional regulation.
• Family and Community | Whānau Tangata – The curriculum recognizes the integral role of family and community in a child’s education.
  Example: We ensure that the languages, cultures, and identities of all children are reflected in our program.
• Relationships | Ngā Hononga – Children learn through responsive and reciprocal relationships with people, places, and things.
  Example: Teachers form warm, supportive relationships with children, helping them build connections with others and develop empathy.

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Strands and Goals of Te Whāriki:

Te Whāriki also includes strands that focus on five key areas of learning and development, each with specific goals to support children’s growth.

• Strand: Wellbeing | Mana Atua
  This strand emphasizes the importance of health and emotional well-being, ensuring that children are nurtured and safe in their learning environment.
  Example: We maintain a safe and calm environment, where children’s emotional well-being is supported through positive relationships and interactions.
• Strand: Belonging | Mana Whenua
  This strand ensures children and their families feel a sense of belonging within the learning environment.
  Example: We greet all families warmly, and establish predictable routines and rituals throughout the day to help children feel comfortable and secure.
• Strand: Contribution | Mana Tangata
  This strand promotes equitable opportunities for learning and encourages children to contribute to their community.
  Example: Children are given opportunities to care for themselves and their environment, such as washing hands before meals and participating in clean-up time.
• Strand: Communication | Mana Reo
  This strand focuses on the development of communication skills, including both verbal and non-verbal expression.
  Example: We provide various opportunities for children to express themselves through art, music, dance, and conversation, encouraging creativity and communication.
• Strand: Exploration | Mana Aotūroa
  The exploration strand emphasizes active exploration of the environment as a means for children to learn and develop.
  Example: Children are given access to a variety of resources, such as natural materials, art supplies, and physical play spaces, to foster confidence and critical thinking.

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Learning Outcomes:

Te Whāriki outlines learning outcomes for each strand, which describe how children become increasingly capable in their learning over time:

• Wellbeing:
  Children learn to care for themselves and others, manage their feelings, and keep themselves safe.
• Belonging:
  Children make connections with others, respect rules, and understand how to adapt to changes in their environment.
• Contribution:
  Children treat others fairly, contribute to group activities, and develop strategies for collaborative learning.
• Communication:
  Children use gesture, oral language, and other forms of expression to communicate and share stories.
• Exploration:
  Children confidently explore the world around them, problem-solve, and refine their ideas and theories through play.

At Curious Minds Queenstown, we proudly implement Te Whāriki to nurture each child's unique learning journey. Discover how our play-based approach, guided by Te Whāriki principles, fosters curiosity, creativity, and growth in a supportive and engaging environment. by booking a facility tour today!

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To learn more about Te Whāriki and how it shapes our program, you can download the full curriculum document for in-depth reading.

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