C104 Adults' knowledge

Licensing criterion and guidance for C104 Adults' knowledge.

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Criterion C104

The practices of adults providing education and care demonstrate an understanding of children’s learning and development, and knowledge of relevant theories and practice in early childhood education.

Curriculum criteria documentation required

Guidance

To meet this criterion in a way that is consistent with Te Whāriki, teaching practice, assessment, and curriculum planning should demonstrate that kaiako understand children’s learning and development and have current knowledge of relevant theories and practices that underpin the bicultural framework of Te Whāriki.

Early learning service providers should support kaiako to remain current in their understanding of learning and development, theories, and practices. Regular professional learning and development (formal and informal) should support kaiako to develop their knowledge and practices.

There should also be opportunities for kaiako to engage in professional reading and to discuss and debate ideas and theories, identifying meaningful ways to put their new knowledge into practice.

Internal evaluation is another important way to create opportunities for kaiako to recognise how well their current practices meet the needs of the learners and highlight areas where kaiako may need to develop their practice.

Pages 59 – 62 of Te Whāriki provide further guidance to help kaiako demonstrate an understanding of children’s learning and development, and relevant theories and practice in early childhood.

  • How do we use Te Whāriki to guide our teaching decisions and curriculum design and planning?

  • How do we make decisions about our focus for professional development?

  • How do our relationships and interactions reflect relevant theories and good practice in early childhood education?

  • What do we say by our actions? What goes unnoticed, or unsaid? Do our actions match our words?

  • How do we perceive or view children, and how do we express our perceptions or views?

  • How does the language we use demonstrate our understanding of relevant theories and good practice?

  • How do different theories that guide our practice connect with each other? How are they different?

  • How do we articulate to others why we do things, and what we are doing?

  • How does our professional learning change our perspectives on Te Whāriki?

The link below gives kaiako and service providers more information, advice, and guidance to support implementation of the licensing criteria.