At Innovative Early Learning, we do things a little bit differently and are very proud to offer a unique and holistic environment where children experience an empowering curriculum that encourages them to be involved in all aspects of the day to day decisions made within the centre and allows all children to contribute to decisions about their learning. We proudly follow the Australian Early Years Learning Framework and embed our philosophy into all of our practices but we are also very passionate about the Te Whāriki theory which is a New Zealand based curriculum, a lot of the values held within the Te Whāriki coincide with the values our team holds at the centre and our vision for the children who attend Innovative Early Learning, which is that all children will experience a curriculum in their early years that empowers them as lifelong learners.

What is the Te Whāriki theory?

Underpinning Te Whāriki is the vision that children are competent and confident learners and communicators, healthy in mind, body and spirit, secure in their sense of belonging and in the knowledge that they make a valued contribution to society.

The Māori principles of Te Whāriki encapsulate the diverse ways of knowing, ways of being, and ways of doing which inform quality planning and implementation of programmes to enhance children's learning.

What are the learning objectives of Te Whāriki?

Learning dispositions associated with Te Whāriki include: courage and curiosity (taking an interest), trust and playfulness (being involved), perseverance (persisting with difficulty, challenge and uncertainty), confidence (expressing a point of view or feeling) and responsibility (taking responsibility).