Academic Entry Requirements

The academic entry requirement for the NZ Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care is one of the following:

• NCEA Level 3 (as defined by the NZQA), or equivalent (for international applicants not schooled in New Zealand); or
• New Zealand Certificate in Early Childhood Education (Level 4); or
• New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 4).
• For applicants under the age of 20 years at the beginning of the academic year, who do not have NCEA Level 3 or equivalent, entry may be considered on a case-by-case at the discretion of the Head of School.
• 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 NCEA Level 3.

Additional Requirements

• All applicants must be over the age of 17 years at the beginning of the academic year.
• In support of their application, all applicants must supply a CV that includes a detailed account of their educational background, evidence of a commitment to the education of mokopuna, experience with children and an openness to learning.
• Applicants must authorise EIT | Te Pūkenga to obtain a background check from the NZ Police Licensing and Vetting Agency Early Childhood Education and Care Setting Requirements.

Early Childhood Education and Care Setting Requirements

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

• Be working (employed or non-employed) for a minimum of 12 hours a 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. Please 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 students’ needs to be signed by the setting and student 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 student.
• Students will need to comply with any proof of vaccination requirements imposed by third party organisations that they interact with as an integral part of their study. The third party will be responsible for managing compliance with their policy. As an example, this may include organisations that provide student placements. The Head of School or Programme Coordinator will advise students of this requirement at the earliest opportunity and discuss any implications. Contact the Programme Administrator for more information.

Other Requirements

Students will need to comply with any proof of vaccination requirements imposed by third party organisations that they interact with as an integral part of their study. The third party will be responsible for managing compliance with their policy. As an example, this may include organisations that provide ākonga with student placements. The Head of School or Programme Coordinator will advise ākonga of this requirement at the earliest opportunity and discuss any implications. Contact the Programme Administrator for more information.

Internal Selection Process

Entry to the programme may be limited by the number of places available.

Upon the application satisfying “eligibility to apply” requirements, applicants are then required to participate in an internal selection process.

Interviews will be conducted in conjunction with applicants for the Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) and include both a group and individual interview.

Selection decisions are based on the applicant’s submitted documents and their performance in the interview process.

English Language Entry Requirements

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

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

• An IELTS Academic score of 5.5, with no band score lower than 5, achieved in a single test within the two years preceding enrolment; or
• An equivalent score on a test of English language proficiency.

There is provision for both Cross Credit (CC) and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

For further information and enquiries about CC and RPL please contact Mandy Pentecost, on 06 830 1025.

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.

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 students 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. A skype 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 student 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