New Zealand Guide

Preschool Curriculum in New Zealand

Everything school owners, directors, and teachers in New Zealand need to know about preschool standards, licensing, funding, and choosing a curriculum that meets local requirements.

Start free with IPC How to start a kindergarten in New Zealand
National framework
Te Whāriki — He Whāriki Mātauranga mō ngā Mokopuna o Aotearoa
Regulator
Ministry of Education and the Education Review Office (ERO)
Age range
Birth to 6 years
Typical ratios
1:5 under-2s

New Zealand early learning standards

The official curriculum framework for preschools in New Zealand is the Te Whāriki — He Whāriki Mātauranga mō ngā Mokopuna o Aotearoa. Read the full standards on the official site.

IPC complements Te Whāriki's bicultural woven-mat metaphor and supports its five strands of learning.

Public funding programs in New Zealand

20 Hours ECE
Government-funded 20 hours per week of early childhood education for 3- to 5-year-olds.
Equity Funding
Targeted funding for services with higher proportions of priority learners.

How IPC fits preschools in New Zealand

IPC gives New Zealand preschools 20,000+ ready-to-teach activities, lesson plans, parent reports, and assessment tools that map to Te Whāriki — He Whāriki Mātauranga mō ngā Mokopuna o Aotearoa. Trusted by 20,000+ schools and 60,000+ teachers across 98 countries.

Start free with IPC Compare preschool curricula
Opening a new setting?

Kindergarten startup guide for New Zealand

From licensing and ratios to choosing a preschool curriculum, our step-by-step guide covers everything you need to open a kindergarten in New Zealand and align it to Te Whāriki — He Whāriki Mātauranga mō ngā Mokopuna o Aotearoa.

How to start a kindergarten in New Zealand

Frequently asked questions

What preschool curriculum is required in New Zealand?
New Zealand preschools follow Te Whāriki — He Whāriki Mātauranga mō ngā Mokopuna o Aotearoa. IPC complements Te Whāriki's bicultural woven-mat metaphor and supports its five strands of learning.
Who licenses preschools in New Zealand?
Ministry of Education and the Education Review Office (ERO) oversees early childhood settings in New Zealand.
What public funding is available for preschool in New Zealand?
20 Hours ECE: Government-funded 20 hours per week of early childhood education for 3- to 5-year-olds. Equity Funding: Targeted funding for services with higher proportions of priority learners.
Can IPC be used as a preschool curriculum in New Zealand?
Yes. IPC is trusted by 20,000+ schools across 98 countries. Activities, lesson plans, and assessments map to Te Whāriki — He Whāriki Mātauranga mō ngā Mokopuna o Aotearoa.

Related guides for New Zealand

How to start a kindergarten in New Zealand Compare preschool curriculum models How to start a kindergarten (global overview) Preschool homeschool curriculum