C207 Curriculum responsive

Licensing criterion and guidance for C207 Curriculum responsive.

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Criterion C207

The service curriculum is inclusive, and responsive to children as confident and competent learners. Children’s preferences are respected, and they are involved in decisions about their learning experiences.

Curriculum criteria documentation required

Guidance

A curriculum that is inclusive ensures all children know that the early childhood service they attend is a place where they belong and where they feel valued for who they are.

An inclusive curriculum is strengths based and founded on Te Ao Māori values and principles consistent with Te Whāriki. Educators and coordinators should seek to develop mutually positive relationships with mokopuna and to work with parents and whānau to realise high expectations.

The curriculum should recognise that all mokopuna are competent and confident learners who are active participants in their own learning, regardless of their age, gender, ethnicity, and abilities.

The curriculum should enable children with diverse strengths and needs to be actively engaged in learning with, and alongside, their peers in the service. Offering an inclusive environment involves adapting environments and removing any barriers to participation and learning. Teaching inclusively means that educators and coordinators should work together with parents and whānau to identify and dismantle barriers.

  • How can we ensure the curriculum provides genuine opportunities for children to make choices and develop independence? How do we seek out children’s voices and perspectives to guide our decision making?

  • How does our curriculum reflect gender and ethnicity, diversity of ability, and learning needs?

  • How do we respond to diverse family structure and values, socio-economic status, religion, and beliefs within our curriculum?

  • How does our image of the child influence our teaching practice?

  • How do we support and enable infant and toddlers who are non-verbal to make choices within our curriculum?

  • Some older children may be non-verbal, what appropriate strategies and teaching practices do we have to support them to make choices within our curriculum?

  • How does our service curriculum include strategies to understand and respond to the diverse strengths and needs of mokopuna, parents and whānau, educators, and coordinators?

The links below give educators, coordinators, and service providers more information, advice, and guidance to support implementation of the licensing criteria.

Te Whāriki Online – Tāhūrangi

He Pikorua