The NZ early childhood curriculum is basically free play with a bunch of activity stations, a large sandpit and a playground. The teachers will guide a kid to/from certain activities but not force it. They do expect a couple of brief mat times though and generally have a short bit for nearly school age kids which might involve a learning game or tracing stuff. The kids go to school able to hold a pencil, some know the alphabet and some can write their name. They start school on their fifth birthday and learn academics then.
