There are four broad principles at the centre of the early childhood curriculum.
Empowerment
The early childhood curriculum empowers the child to learn and grow.
Holistic Development
The early childhood curriculum reflects the holistic way children learn and grow.
Family and Community
The wider world of family and community is an integral part of the early childhood curriculum.
Relationships
Children learn through responsive and reciprocal relationships with people, places, and things.
Ngā Kaupapa Whakahaere
E whā ngā kaupapa whakahaere kua whakatauria hei kawe i tēnei tikanga i roto i ngā kōhanga reo. Ko te mahi a ēnei kaupapa he whakatakoto huarahi mō ngā taumata whakahirahira me ngā tūmanako mō ngā mokopuna. I tua atu i tēnā ko te ārahi i ngā mahi ako, ā, ko te āwhina hoki i ngā mahi tātari.
Ko ngā whakamārama mō ēnei āhuatanga katoa ka whai ake.
Whakamana
Mā te whāriki o te kōhanga reo e whakatō te kaha ki roto i te mokopuna, ki te ako, kia pakari ai tana tipu.
Kotahitanga
Mā te whāriki o te kōhanga reo e whakaata te kotahitanga o ngā whakahaere katoa mō te ako a te mokopuna, mō te tipu o te mokopuna.
Whānau Tangata
Me whiri mai te whānau, te hapū, te iwi, me tauiwi, me ō rātou wāhi nohonga, ki roto i te whāriki o te kōhanga reo, hei āwhina, hei tautoko i te akoranga, i te whakatipuranga o te mokopuna.
Ngā Hononga
Mā roto i ngā piringa, i ngā whakahaere i waenganui o te mokopuna me te katoa, e whakatō te kaha ki roto i te mokopuna ki te ako.