Strengthen Intentional Teaching & Evaluation – Curriculum Planning Exemplar (toddler)

Two of the most common Education Review Office improvement actions are:

• Improve planning and assessment so children’s learning progress over time is clearly shown in relation to Te Whāriki outcomes.

• Strengthen intentional teaching and evaluation practices so teachers can clearly show how their teaching supports children’s learning and progress.

One of the simplest ways to address these areas is to ensure you have a clear and consistent approach to children’s individual planning.  This authentic, editable, Excel Curriculum Planning & Evaluation Exemplar (2.5–3 Years) has been designed to show exactly what this can look like in practice within a real early childhood setting.

Follow one child’s learning journey across several months as kaiako respond to emerging interests, strengthen relationships with whānau, and intentionally support growing confidence, communication, friendships, resilience, and physical capability over time.

This exemplar demonstrates:

• Notice, Recognise, Respond planning in practice
• Clear links to Te Whāriki learning outcomes
• Integration of Kōwhiti Whakapae focus areas and progressions
• Intentional teaching strategies that are realistic and achievable
• Meaningful evaluation showing children’s learning progress over time
• Strong links between home and centre learning
• Authentic parent voice and partnership with whānau
• Bicultural curriculum woven naturally through everyday experiences

Unlike overly complicated examples, this planning model is practical, sustainable, and designed for real ECE settings. It provides a clear example of how planning, intentional teaching, and evaluation can work together to show meaningful learning and progress over time.

Perfect for:

• Teachers wanting stronger examples of curriculum planning and evaluation
• Team discussions and professional learning
• Services strengthening intentional teaching practices
• Centers preparing for ERO conversations around curriculum, assessment, and progress over time
• Services wanting clearer examples of what good evaluation actually looks like in practice

Suitable for adapting into Storypark, Educa, or centre-specific planning systems.