reporting that they are unable to enrol all the children in This means that while all Aboriginal Head Start sites are the similar, each site is unique. 152 community in need of the Aboriginal Head Start program. The program provides a structured preschool environment for the young and operates four days a week. ‘students’ New Zealand programs The delivery of education and care to children is coordinated with other services, which are provided by Language nests territory or provincial governments. primary goal of ‘The Early childhood language nest programs in New Zealand the AHS initiative is to demonstrate that locally controlled play an important role in the affirmation and preservation and designed early intervention strategies can provide of Maori culture. They are aimed mainly at four year old Aboriginal children in urban and northern settings with a children, provide a culturally rich and nurturing positive sense of themselves, a desire for learning and environment, and rely heavily on the support and opportunities to involvement of parents and community members in 151 develop fully and successfully as young people’. teaching Maori culture and language to preschool aged The success of the program is demonstrated by the fact children. that demand exceeds supply, with 64 per cent of AHS sites Health Canada 2001, p.11 151 Health Canada 2001, p.4 152
This means that while all Aboriginal Head Start sites are similar, each site is unique. The program provides a structured preschool environment for the young ‘students’ and operates four days a week. The delivery of education and care to children is coordinated with other services, which are provided by territory or provincial governments. ‘The primary goal of the AHS initiative is to demonstrate that locally controlled and designed early intervention strategies can provide Aboriginal children in urban and northern settings with a positive sense of themselves, a desire for learning and opportunities to 151 develop fully and successfully as young people’. The success of the program is demonstrated by the fact that demand exceeds supply, with 64 per cent of AHS sites reporting that they are unable to enrol all the children in the 152 community in need of the Aboriginal Head Start program. New Zealand programs Language nests Early childhood language nest programs in New Zealand play an important role in the affirmation and preservation of Maori culture. They are aimed mainly at four year old children, provide a culturally rich and nurturing environment, and rely heavily on the support and involvement of parents and community members in teaching Maori culture and language to preschool aged children. 151 Health Canada 2001, p.11 152 Health Canada 2001, p.4
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