ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an historical, policy and curriculum context to the diversity of early childhood provision in Aotearoa-New Zealand and its integrated model of care and education. This is a story of advocacy, shifting state interest and increasing government investment. Currently, a raft of policies are being implemented towards improving quality participation as part of a ten-year strategic plan, Pathways to the Future: Ngã Huarahi Arataki 2002-2012 (Ministry of Education, 2002). The unique interplay of research, pedagogy and policy in the advocacy, implementation and evaluation of early childhood care and education is appraised.
