Academic entry requirements

The academic entry requirement for the BTECE is one of the following:

• University Entrance (as defined by the NZQA), or equivalent (for international applicants not schooled in New Zealand).
• For applicants under the age of 20 years at the beginning of the academic year, who do not have University Entrance or equivalent, entry may be considered on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the School of Education and Social Sciences policy on discretionary entry.
• For applicants over the age of 20 years at the beginning of the academic year, evidence of the potential to succeed in tertiary study at degree level, including demonstrated literacy and numeracy competence equivalent to that required for University Entrance.

Additional requirements

• All applicants must be over the age of 17 years at the beginning of the academic year.
• In support of their application, applicants must supply, in a CV, a detailed account of their educational background, evidence of a commitment to care and education for infants, toddlers and young children; experience with children and an openness to learning.
• All applicants must provide two references, using the prescribed Referee Forms, from persons who are not related to the applicant, who can comment on their personal and professional qualities appropriate for early childhood teaching, at least one of whom has observed them working with children.
• All applicants must undergo police vetting in accordance with the Children’s Act 2014.
• All applicants must sign a declaration that they are in good health (having no medical, physical or psychological conditions that would preclude working with children).

Competency in English language

All applicants must demonstrate an acceptable level of English language fluency prior to acceptance in the programme.

Ways in which this may be demonstrated, besides by New Zealand University Entrance, are detailed in the current Teaching Council Initial Teacher Education Requirements.

For applicants with English as an Additional Language, English language fluency may be demonstrated by:

• An IELTS Academic score of 7, with no band score lower than 7, achieved in a single test within the two years preceding enrolment; or
• An equivalent score on a test of English language proficiency, as set out in the current Teaching Council Initial Teacher Education Requirements, achieved in a single test within the two years preceding enrolment. (See enclosed document for further information).

Early childhood education and care setting requirements

Prior to the beginning of the academic year to undertake field-based teacher education all enrolled learners must:

• Be working (employed or non-employed) for a minimum of 12 hours per week in a licensed early childhood setting, during the EIT | Te Pūkenga term.
• Be supported at the setting by a qualified mentor teacher who is registered and holds a current full practicing certificate. NOTE: The Memorandum of Agreement between the setting and EIT | Te Pūkenga must be signed by the setting and returned prior to commencement of the programme. As necessary, two copies of the Terms of Reference document for non-employed learners needs to be signed by the setting and learner prior to commencement of the programme. The setting keeps one copy, and the other is returned prior to commencement of the programme.
• Meet the requirements of the Children’s Act (2014), CA letter must be sighted by the setting and signed by learner.

Internal selection process

Applicants meeting the entry requirements will be required to participate in both a group and individual interview. This is the first step to ensure that graduating student teachers have the qualities and dispositions enabling them to meet the Standards for the Teaching Profession. The interviews are conducted by a panel comprising EIT | Te Pūkenga BTECE teacher educators, usually assisted by an Early Childhood Education sector representative or other EIT | Te Pūkenga academic representative. Interviews will be conducted in an equitable and professional manner, with every endeavour to make applicants feel at ease. Applicants may bring family/whānau for support. Areas considered by the selection panel include:

• Personal qualities;
• Professional qualities;
• Knowledge and experience of pre-school aged children;
• Other work and community experience; and
• Cultural knowledge and understanding.

Applicants will also be required to pass:

• A literacy competency assessment set by the School of Education and Social Sciences, EIT | Te Pūkenga; and
• a numeracy competency assessment set by the School of Education and Social Sciences, EIT | Te Pūkenga. In preparation for this, applicants may find the following resources useful:

  – https://pathwaysawarua.com/

  – https://nzmaths.co.nz/level-1-problems

  Some examples of questions that could be expected may also be provided upon request.

Applicants who pass the assessments will be considered for enrolment in the programme in line with the overall selection process.

There is provision for both Cross Credit (CC) and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Applicants may be awarded credit for up to 240 credits: the equivalent of sixteen 15 credit courses, or two thirds of the programme. Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand recognition of prior learning regulations will be adhered to for both CC and RPL.

• CC is based on the equivalency of courses or qualifications. You would apply for CC if you have passed a very similar course at the same level.
• RPL is available and is assessed in line with EIT | Te Pūkenga procedures and the requirements of the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand.

You will be asked to provide details of anything that you would like to be considered as credit toward your intended programme of study, as part of your application.

Please note: The Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand regulations stipulate that consideration of CC is normally restricted to study completed within the last six years.

You must apply prior to enrolment. CC and RPL cannot be awarded for a course if you are already enrolled in that course. An original transcript or notice of results from the institute at which you previously studied (or verified copies) will be required for all applications.

For further information and enquiries about CC and RPL please contact Tania Du Plessis, on 06 830 1032.

This qualification has been approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.

This programme leads to the award of a nationally approved qualification and may be delivered at a number of other tertiary institutes around New Zealand. If you were to transfer to one of those other institutes you may be granted academic credit for some of the papers completed but this is at the discretion of the other institute.

Please note: Fees are not transferable between institutes.

Professional requirements

• Be free from criminal convictions which would preclude them from working with children.
• Provide evidence of the personal and professional qualities appropriate for undertaking a Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) by furnishing two references from persons who are not related to the applicant, using prescribed Referee Forms. One of the referees must be someone who has observed the applicant working with children. The appropriate qualities are specified in the New Zealand Teachers Council’s Good Character and Fit to be Teacher Policy 2007.
• Submit a Police Clearance Certificate.
• Sign a declaration that they are in good health (having no medical, physical or psychological conditions that would preclude working with children).

Setting requirements

Prior to the beginning of the academic year all enrolled learners must:

• Be working (voluntarily or in paid employment) for a minimum of 12 hours a week in a licensed early childhood setting, during the EIT | Te Pūkenga term.
• Be supported by a qualified registered ECE teacher at the setting where they are working or volunteering to undertake field-based teacher education. NOTE: The Memorandum of Agreement between the setting and EIT | Te Pūkenga must be signed by the setting and returned prior to commencement of the programme. As necessary, two copies of the Terms of Reference document for volunteers need to be signed by the setting and volunteer prior to commencement of the programme. The setting keeps one copy, and the other is returned prior to commencement of the programme.

English language entry requirements

IELTS score of 7.0 (academic) in all bands. An online interview and references will also be required.

Internal selection process

Upon the application satisfying eligibility to apply requirements, the applicants are then required to participate in an internal selection process. This is the first step to ensure the graduating candidate teacher has the qualities and dispositions which enables them to meet the registration criteria of the New Zealand Teachers Council.

A panel comprising an EIT | Te Pūkenga early childhood lecturer, assisted by an early childhood sector representative or other EIT | Te Pūkenga academic representative, conducts these.

The selection process consists of two parts:

• An online interview process
• A diagnostic test to measure applicants’ literacy and numeracy competency

The interviews will be conducted in an equitable, professional manner with every endeavour to make applicants feel at ease. Applicants are welcome to bring family/whanau for support. Areas considered by the interviewers are:

• Personal qualities
• Professional qualities
• Early childhood knowledge and experience
• Other work and community experience
• Cultural knowledge understanding