A seminar was held to review early childhood objectives in the context of accountability and to discuss ways to translate these objectives into a practical form. An introductory session listed basic principles underlying early childhood care and education at New Zealand's Trust centers. Subsequent presentations provided: (1) a literature review of national and international objectives of early childhood education and care; (2) a discussion of curriculum objectives in early childhood education; (3) a discussion of principles behind the development of objectives; and (4) a description of Te Kohanga Reo, a total immersion program for Maori preschoolers that is organized by the Maori community and in which Maori is spoken. Notes on group discussions are provided. Also included is a statement on the curriculum in early childhood education, subsections of which provide a definition and a list of 15 basic principles. (RH)