Conclusion
This article sought to answer the question: What are children learning in early childhood education in New Zealand? The answer would appear to be that we don’t know. Sources of information ranging from Te Wha-riki through to centre documentation, ERO evaluations and Ministry of Education-funded research projects all fall short in providing evidence about what children are learning, let alone showing that early childhood education is contributing to that learning.
International evidence, using a broad range of valid and reliable assessments, shows that early childhood education can make an impact on children’s learning, particularly for those from disadvantaged backgrounds (Burger, 2010; OECD, 2006). The evidence also shows that the effectiveness of early childhood education is dependent of the quality of the program (OECD, 2011; Sylva & Roberts, 2010). The current lack of information in New Zealand about what children are learning makes it difficult to evaluate the quality of programs being provided by early childhood centres in this country.
Given the large amounts of government funding allocated to early childhood education in New Zealand (approximately $NZ 1.35 billion each year [Ministry of Education, 2011b]) and the commitment of many talented teachers, it is hoped that children are benefiting from their experiences in early childhood centres. However, we need to move beyond hopes and instead provide evidence that shows what children are learning through their participation in early childhood programs. Making use of assessment techniques that are widely used internationally would provide such evidence (see e.g. Bagnato, 2007; National Research Council, 2008). The use of valid assessment procedures would also allow teachers to monitor the effectiveness of their work and to adjust their programs in response to the individual needs of children. This could help to reduce the disparities in learning that are found at school entry which, in turn, contribute to increased inequities in educational outcomes during the school years. For all of these reasons, it is time for the Ministry of Education to reconsider the advice it has been providing on how to assess children’s learning in early childhood education in New Zealand.