Understanding the Te Whariki Approach is a much-needed source of information for those wishing to extend & consolidate their understanding of the Te Whariki approach introducing the reader to an innovative bicultural curriculum developed for early childhood services in New Zeal&. It will enable the reader to analyse the essential elements of this approach to early childhood & its relationship to quality early years practice. Providing students & practitioners with the relevant information about a key pedagogical influence on high quality early years practice in the United Kingdom the book explores all areas of the curriculum emphasising: strong curriculum connections to families & the wider community; a view of teaching & learning that focuses on responsive & reciprocal relationships with people places & things; a view of curriculum content as cross-disciplinary & multi-modal; the aspirations for children to grow up as competent & confident learners & communicators healthy in mind body & spirit secure in their sense of belonging & in the knowledge that they make a valued contribution to society; a bicultural framework in which indigenous voices have a central place. Written to support the work of all those in the field of early years education & childcare this is a vital text for students early years & childcare practitioners teachers early years professionals childrens centre professionals lecturers advisory teachers head teachers & setting managers.