The Code of Children’s Rights in Early Childhood Education is informed by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child 1992 (an international agreement) and the New Zealand Human Rights Act 1993. It reflects research and knowledge on quality early childhood education and care for infants and young children.
An early childhood service that respects children and honours their rights will tell you of their commitment to this.
The Code can be displayed at the front entrance of early childhood services. Services should include a copy of the Code for families in their enrolment information pack and refer to their commitment to meeting the Code on their public website.
The Code of Children’s Rights in Early Childhood Education
Every infant, toddler, and young child has rights (as made plain by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child 1992 and the NZ Human Rights Act 1993) and this includes within early childhood education services.
CHILDREN’S RIGHTS IN ECE
- To experience education and care of the highest standard.
- For their parents, family and whānau to have the opportunity to stay with them and participate in the early childhood programme.
- To be included, valued, and supported whatever their individual differences may be (e.g., disability, special ability, and size) and to have their culture and home languages respected.
- To be kept safe from harm, including protection from child abuse, bullying, and risks to health.
- To have continuous, meaningful, and caring relationships with the adults responsible for their care and education in the service.
- To have their personal privacy respected physically (e.g., when using the bathroom), and emotionally (e.g., not to have personal information divulged in front of other children and families).
- To receive skilled care and learning opportunities appropriate to meeting needs and personal choices.
- To receive positive guidance free from coercion and discrimination, and be supported to exercise independence and develop self-esteem.
- To be involved in all decisions affecting them by receiving information in a way that is understandable, and given opportunities to express views, ask questions and receive truthful responses.
- To complain and have complaints as put forward by parents/caregivers taken seriously.
Copies may be downloaded and printed.
