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Kindergarten & Primary School

1) Child Care Center & Kindergarten

At the age of three, parents can begin their education at their own discretion, a form of preschool education that is not included in compulsory education in New Zealand. Locally, there is an agency called Early Child Care Education (ECE) for young children under five, so parents can leave their children there for education.

 

Currently in New Zealand, about 50% of children aged 3 and about 90% of children attend Kindergarten or ECE. This means that many parents with young children are preparing their children for preschool education in preparation for entering elementary school.

 

2) Primary School

 New Zealand children will be enrolled in Primary School Year 1, a regular program, for their 5th birthday. Compulsory education begins at age 6, but most children are admitted before then.

 

The first two years of this elementary school, from Year 1 to Year 6, are called Juniors and are studied in the Infant Department, where students concentrate on reading. From the age of seven, students will take the Standard 1-4 course (4 years). Students will learn English, arithmetic, social studies, science, music, physical education, and health.

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