top of page

​

Local Curriculum Priorities V4

 

He waka eke noa

A canoe which we are all in with no exception

 

Curriculum: Licensing criteria: C101-C113

Statement of Intent:

Our local curriculum priorities are specific to our preschool. They identify who we are and what the most important aspects of learning and development are that we want to achieve for our tamariki and whānau.

 

Our teaching team are committed to regularly revisiting these at staff meetings so that we can keep them up to date and in line with where we are at. We recognise that the following changes can affect the culture of our preschool:

  • Ongoing changes as we welcome and farewell new whānau and tamariki.

  • Knowledge of the cultures of our whānau:

    • who they are: their beliefs, customs, values, languages and identity.

    • what their aspirations are for their tamariki.

    • their involvement in our preschool.

    • Any feedback received 

  • Knowledge of the cultures of our tamariki:

    • what their individual interests, abilities and needs are.

    • supporting the identity, language and culture of all tamariki.

  • Identifying what is happening in the context of our tamariki learning through observations, conversations, planning, assessments, and evaluations.

 

Curriculum Priorities Process:

​

Kaiako identify the most important curriculum priorities through the following processes:

  • Team discussion - from what we notice happening as a group and individually for our tamariki.  We use information from observations, learning stories, discussions, planning, individual tamariki interests, needs and parent aspirations and feedback. We ask ourselves if the priorities we have identified are responsive to our tamariki interests and parents’ aspirations

  • We take note of our own teaching reflections and what we have noticed that has come to light. We discuss this informally and at staff meetings. We discuss ways forward and how we will respond that will be effective for our tamariki learning outcomes.

  • We emphasise the learning that we value and look at what we want to achieve and how we can achieve it.

  • Reflecting on key components within our local curriculum:

​

Our Philosophy

  • identifying what is important to us

  • What our values are

  • What makes our preschool unique

  • What we want our tamariki to learn

  • What do we want tamariki to leave our preschool with and supporting them with their next stage of learning at school

​

Bi-Cultural Curriculum and Kaupapa Māori

  • We are committed to fostering a bi-cultural environment for tamariki and whānau and strive to incorporate this naturally into our everyday programme.

  • We work as a team and reflect regularly on what we can do to improve this. We are committed to learning te reo me ngā tikanga Māori and passing our knowledge onto our tamariki and whānau

  • We revisit our bi-cultural policy to make sure we are meeting the goals we have set out and what we do is real and meaningful to tamariki and whānau

 

Localised Planning Assessment and Evaluation Structure

  • Planning, assessing and evaluations are used to inform and identify priorities

  • Kaiako reflect on their own teaching practices and as a team to make sure that what we do lines up with the values and concepts of the Montessori approach to learning and development and to the guidelines of Te Whāriki and MJ2Ex

 

Local Curriculum Priorities

 

  • The Montessori approach to learning and development lies at the heart of what we do

  • Interpreting the principles, strands and goals of Te Whāriki in a way that is meaningful to us

  • Embedding bi-cultural practices in a natural and meaningful way - we journey alongside our whānau and tamariki learning together

  • Building strong, positive, respectful and trusting relationships

  • Encouraging parent/whānau involvement so that parents and whānau feel part of our learning community

  • Supporting tamariki to feel proud of their identity and culture and to respect and appreciate the cultures of others – acknowledging and celebrating – warm fuzzy jar, Kowhai our kiwi.

  • Supporting tamariki to understand and develop the values of responsibility, respect, kindness and empathy

  • Fostering an environment where tamariki will gain independent life skills.

  • Fostering an environment where sustainable practices are part of what we do. Tamariki will learn to respect and take care of their environment and beyond – Kaitiaki afternoon, purposeful and meaningful mahi, getting involved in our programme etc

  • Learning the importance of taking care of our bodies (physical, emotional, nutritional)  through our journey with the Healthy Heart Foundation

  • Reaching out to our local community (excursions, getting to know our neighbours, inviting others into our preschool community, Lynn from the library visits etc)

​

 

Our Curriculum Priorities linking with our Vision and Philosophy:

The following are curriculum priorities that we have identified. We have worked collaboratively as a teaching team and with our whānau and tamariki to identify what learning we want to see in our preschool:

 

  • The Montessori approach to learning and development will lay the foundation of everything we do in our preschool

  • Tamariki learn by doing - they will experience an environment that is unhurried and calm. They will engage in learning experiences without being interrupted so that they can work at their own pace in a relaxed atmosphere

  • Tamariki will experience a meaningful and intentional learning prepared environment that is set up to evoke peace, tranquility and harmony. It will naturally foster independent learning and exploration

  • Tamariki will experience freedom to explore, freedom to move and freedom to interact socially to meet the needs of their evolving interests, abilities and needs

  • We are guided by Te Whāriki, Montessori Journey to Excellence and Kōwhiti Whakapae and will use the principles and learning outcomes to help direct our planning, assessments and evaluation process. We will work at interpreting these in a way that is meaningful to us

  • We will work at embedding bi-cultural practices within our curriculum and see our role as co-learners with tamariki. Our vision is to see these practices naturally occur within our programme though waiata, karakia, kapa haka and tikanga values. Te reo Māori will be spoken in a meaningful way as well as being seen visually in the environment

  • Relationships lie at the heart of what we do. We want to build strong, positive, meaningful relationships that are welcoming, warm and caring with our whānau, tamariki, and kaiako. Demonstrating mutually respectful and trusting relationships for all tamariki and whānau will always be our goal

  • We encourage whānau involvement so they feel part of our learning community

  • We want our tamariki to feel proud of their identity and culture and to develop an awareness, respect and an appreciation for other cultures

  • The values of responsibility, respect, kindness and empathy will be woven into our programme so that tamariki have a real sense of what this looks like for them and for the culture of our preschool

  • Tamariki will learn that they have a powerful voice and to know that their contributions are greatly valued and respected

  • We want to empower our tamariki to think for themselves, to promote a “can do” attitude and to take responsibility for their own learning. We will encourage them to see mistakes as natural steps in the learning process

  • Sustainable practices are important in our preschool. We want tamariki to learn about their role in taking care of their environment and how they can contribute to this

​

Date: Term 3 2025

Next Review Date: Term 3 2027

​

bottom of page