Recognizing the contributions of quality early childhood education in providing a foundation for children's later learning and in supporting families, the New Zealand government developed Desirable Objectives and Practices (DOP), requirements to enhance quality in chartered early childhood programs. This publication was developed to assist management and educators in New Zealand early childhood services to implement the 1996 revised Statement of Desirable Objectives and Practices, which convey the government's expectations for the standard of education and care that early childhood services provide. The introduction describes the New Zealand context for early childhood education and explains the relationship of the DOPs to practice within "kohanga reo" and to "Te Korowai," the charter between Te Kohanga Reo National Trust Board and the Ministry of Education. This section is presented in both English and Maori. Each DOP is then examined in detail, beginning with the guiding principles and following the order in which the DOPs are given in their three main divisions: (1) Learning and Development; (2) Communication and Consultation; and (3) Operation and Administration. The document ends with a list of legislation relevant to early childhood services and a glossary of terms. For each DOP or subsection, the following information is provided: (1) a DOP statement; (2) implications for management and educators, and examples of high-quality practice; (3) understandings, values, beliefs, and practices significant to Maori; (4) illustration of good practice; (5) indicators that a service is meeting DOP requirements; (6) reflective questions for practitioners to consider their practice; and (7) a recommended reading list. (KB)