CONTENTSOn this page
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 C312#
Regular opportunities (formal and informal) are provided for parents to:
- communicate with adults providing education and care about their child, and share specific evidence of the child's learning; and
- be involved in decision-making concerning their child’s learning.
Curriculum criteria documentation required
Guidance#
Partnerships involving regular consultation with parents, guardians, and whānau are a crucial part of quality early childhood education. Parental presence and engagement have been found to support improved outcomes for children and develop a greater sense of belonging for whānau | families.
Where parents are welcomed, and educators use a range of strategies to develop genuine partnerships built on mutual trust and respect, parents feel more able to participate in decision-making about their child’s learning.
Educators need to consider the time, place, and space to develop these relationships through informal and formal opportunities. Formal opportunities will include times where communication is planned, and may involve preparation, for example, a parent interview when the child is admitted to hospital. Informal opportunities are likely to occur each day during the daily routines.
