NZ Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care [Level 5]
Make a difference to the lives of tamariki
Thinking about being an early childhood educator?
This one year programme prepares you for a career in the early childhood sector. You could become a non-registered educator in an early childhood centre or home-based delivery, or go on to complete a degree and become a registered teacher.
This programme will allow you to undertake study while being employed or working voluntarily in an early childhood setting. On completion of the NZ Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care, you may apply for entry into the second year of the Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education).
Outline
The NZ Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care is a one year programme that will give you the opportunity to gain a qualification that will support the practice-based education and care of infants, toddlers, and young children in a range of early childhood contexts.
This is a field-based programme which provides a balance between theory, research and practice. You will attend campus two days a week and undertake a minimum of 12 hours per week in a licensed early childhood education service.
The level 5 NZ Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care is equivalent to the first-year courses in the Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education).
Subject areas include:
- Child development
- How children learn
- Supporting children’s learning
- Reflecting on your practice
- Communication
- Te Reo Māori
- Artistic languages of children
You are welcome to make an appointment to discuss your study options with our staff and to view our facilities.
Your Future Career & Study Opportunities
Graduates of this programme will either be able to work as unregistered teachers in a range of early childhood education contexts or continue on to further study in the Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) to graduate as registered early childhood educators.
Dates
There is one entry date per year:
- February
Entry
Entry Requirements
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.
Entry with Credit
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.
International Entry Requirements
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
Academic Learning Services
Academic Learning Services is here to assist you on your journey towards the successful completion of your studies at EIT | Te Pūkenga. Our aim is for you to become confident, competent and independent learners.
We have dedicated advisors who can assist with your learning.
Find out more:
Scholarships
EIT | Te Pūkenga offers a variety of scholarships across various subjects and programme levels. Some scholarships are based on your age, some are specific to the subject you want to study. Not all scholarships are based on your academic ability and anyone wanting to study should investigate what scholarships are available to them.
You can find a list of EIT | Te Pūkenga scholarships here however there are many more scholarships offered nationally. Information about these is on an database called “givME”. givME is accessible at EIT | Te Pūkenga or at some public libraries. If you would like to come to EIT | Te Pūkenga to look through the giveME database don’t hesitate to contact scholarships@eit.ac.nz or call in for a chat.