National Education and Learning Priorities (NELP) and Te Whāriki
This resource describes the National Education and Learning Priorities (NELP) for early learning services, why they are important, and how to use the NELP alongside Te Whāriki.
There is more than one way to achieve an objective
This resource summarises the National Education and Learning Priorities for early learning services. It describes why they are important and how to use the learning priorities and objectives alongside Te Whāriki. There are also links to tools to support you.
- The National Education and Learning Priorities (NELP)
- How to use the NELP alongside Te Whāriki
- Licensing criteria and the objectives and learning priorities
- Links to support resources on other websites
The Statement of National Education and Learning Priorities are a set of objectives and priorities. They are designed to guide licensed early learning services to focus their day-to-day work on things that will have a positive impact for children.
The priorities can be used alongside the service's own local priorities, to help every ākonga (learner) to progress and achieve their aspirations.
NELP priorities and actions for early learning services
This document on Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga | The Ministry of Education website describes how the NELP priorities and objectives can be met in early learning services.
The Ministry also has a webpage page dedicated to The Statement of National Education and Learning Priorities (NELP) and the Tertiary Education Strategy (TES).
Three NELP objectives for early learning services
- Objective 1: Learners at the centre
- Objective 2: Barrier-free access
- Objective 3: Quality teaching and leadership
Six NELP priorities for early learning services
- Priority 1: Ensure places of learning are safe, inclusive, and free from racism, discrimination, and bullying.
- Priority 2: Have high aspirations for every ākonga (learner), and support these by partnering with their whānau and communities to design and deliver education that responds to their needs and sustains their identities.
- Priority 3: Reduce barriers to education for all, including for Māori and Pacific ākonga (learners), disabled learners, and those with learning support needs.
- Priority 4: Ensure every ākonga (learner) gains sound foundation skills, including languages, literacy, and numeracy.
- Priority 5: Meaningfully incorporate te reo Māori into the everyday life of the place of learning.
- Priority 6: Develop staff to strengthen teaching, leadership, and learner support capability across the education workforce.
Why the NELP priorities are important
They address:
- bias and discrimination
- equitable access to learning opportunities for all learners
- the role of kaiako, leaders, and managers as advocates for all learners and their whānau.
Sociocultural theories and critical theories are two resources linked to below to help you with understanding both the objectives and priorities, and how these play out in practice.
About this resource
This resource summarises the National Education and Learning Priorities for early learning services. It details the priorities and objectives and how to use these alongside Te Whāriki in an early learning service.