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New version effective 20 April 2026
Effective 20 April 2026, the numbering of the curriculum criteria has changed. There have been no changes to the curriculum criteria wording or associated guidance.
Criterion C210#
The service curriculum supports children’s developing social competence and understanding of appropriate behaviour.
Curriculum criteria documentation required
Guidance#
As children learn to make sense of their world and develop working theories, they develop an understanding of themselves and others in social contexts, including the early childhood service.
What is viewed as social competence, emotional competence and appropriate behaviour may vary from setting to setting and will depend on the values that parents and whānau, educators and coordinators, and communities hold. It is therefore vital that, educators, coordinators, parents and whānau, the community, and children share with each other their understandings of social and emotional competence.
The environment, our own, and parents and whānau expectations, and our teaching practices will be strong indicators of what we consider as socially appropriate and competent behaviours.
Curriculum priorities that support social competence, emotional competence, and understanding of appropriate behaviour should provide ongoing opportunities for children to practice their growing capabilities, through actions, words, and behaviours.
