Our Curriculum
“Curriculum” can be a confusing word when your child is still in nappies or figuring out which shoe goes on which foot, but the truth is, Early childhood is about more than care; it is about laying the foundation for future learning through strong relationships, curiosity, and carefully planned experiences that build essential skills.
At New Shoots, our curriculum serves as the framework that guides our kaiako in supporting your child’s learning. And because decades of research have shown that play is the best way for young brains to develop, our curriculum is built around play.
Celebrate the magic of play
Play isn’t just something children do; it’s how they make sense of the world. It’s how they connect, express themselves, and discover who they are. And at New Shoots, it’s the thread that runs through our days.
Behind every playful moment is a clear purpose. Our kaiako plan experiences that strengthen language, problem-solving, and early literacy and numeracy through the joy of play.
From mixing mud potions to building block castles, play is full of purpose.
These early experiences of imagination and exploration lay the foundation for lifelong skills such as resilience, empathy, and determination.
A life-long love of learning starts here
At New Shoots, we nurture curious, capable learners from their earliest days. Our curriculum is grounded in Te Whāriki, Aotearoa New Zealand’s early childhood education framework, and comes to life in our nature-rich environments, guided by skilled, caring kaiako.
As your tamariki grow, early literacy and numeracy are woven into storytelling, song, and exploration. We follow your child’s lead, and while “assessment” might sound like a big word for preschoolers, in early childhood education, it simply means paying close attention to what your child enjoys, how they’re developing, and how we can support them to keep learning with confidence.
Our curriculum nurtures the skills and dispositions that set children up for school and for life, including curiosity, independence, focus, and the ability to work and play alongside others.
A life-long love of learning starts here
At New Shoots, we nurture curious, capable learners from their earliest days. Our curriculum is grounded in Te Whāriki, Aotearoa New Zealand’s early childhood education framework, and comes to life in our nature-rich environments, guided by skilled, caring kaiako.
As your tamariki grow, early literacy and numeracy are woven into storytelling, song, and exploration. We follow your child’s lead, and while “assessment” might sound like a big word for preschoolers, in early childhood education, it simply means paying close attention to what your child enjoys, how they’re developing, and how we can support them to keep learning with confidence.
Our curriculum nurtures the skills and dispositions that set children up for school and for life, including curiosity, independence, focus, and the ability to work and play alongside others.
Our curriculum
Our days are filled with fun and discovery, yet every experience is intentionally designed and grounded in research that prepares children for lifelong learning.
Behind all the fun and play, a thoughtful mix of early childhood education research guides how we support your child’s learning and development.
Te Whāriki
Aotearoa’s national Early Childhood Education curriculum underpins everything we do at New Shoots. Te Whāriki recognises the immense potential in every child and the vital role of quality early education in shaping their future learning and wellbeing.
Pikler/ RIE
Guided by the principles of Pikler and RIE (Resources for Infant Educarers), we foster calm, respectful, and trusting relationships as soon as your child joins our family. Pikler encourages unhurried care and views babies as capable, active participants. RIE builds on this by creating peaceful spaces where tamariki are free to move, explore, and be heard.
Children’s schema identification
Based on the research of Athey (1990), and expanded on by New Zealanders Meade and Cubey (1996), schema identification helps us understand and support your child’s development by recognising the patterns of play they’re most drawn to.
Building intellectual dispositions
With our older tamariki, we draw on the work of Helm and Katz (2001), who champion learning through longer-term projects led by children’s interests. Hands-on, in-depth exploration helps your child develop focus, problem-solving skills, and a strong sense of purpose.
Our curriculum
Our days are filled with fun and discovery, yet every experience is intentionally designed and grounded in research that prepares children for lifelong learning.
Behind all the fun and play, a thoughtful mix of early childhood education research guides how we support your child’s learning and development.
Te Whāriki
Aotearoa’s national Early Childhood Education curriculum underpins everything we do at New Shoots. Te Whāriki recognises the immense potential in every child and the vital role of quality early education in shaping their future learning and wellbeing.
Pikler/ RIE
Guided by the principles of Pikler and RIE (Resources for Infant Educarers), we foster calm, respectful, and trusting relationships as soon as your child joins our family. Pikler encourages unhurried care and views babies as capable, active participants. RIE builds on this by creating peaceful spaces where tamariki are free to move, explore, and be heard.
Children’s schema identification
Based on the research of Athey (1990), and expanded on by New Zealanders Meade and Cubey (1996), schema identification helps us understand and support your child’s development by recognising the patterns of play they’re most drawn to.
Building intellectual dispositions
With our older tamariki, we draw on the work of Helm and Katz (2001), who champion learning through longer-term projects led by children’s interests. Hands-on, in-depth exploration helps your child develop focus, problem-solving skills, and a strong sense of purpose.
FREE RESOURCE
Talking With Your Baby
Parenting doesn’t come with a manual, but our ECE centre comes pretty close! Download our free Talking With Your Baby guide for practical tips to support your baby’s early language development.
Thinking of enrolling?
Contact the centre of your choice – email or give us a call. We can answer any questions you have, let you know availability for your child’s age group, and send you an enrolment form.
The best way to find out if we’re the right centre for you is by seeing it for yourself. Please come in for a visit, we’d love to meet you. If you want to read more about New Shoots, please download our parent handbook.
