Programme overview
In this field-based, practical programme you'll develop the skills to become a competent, informed and reflective early childhood teacher who is committed to young children and their learning and development. We believe people learn through participation and we value the experience and insight you’ll gain from working in early childhood centres. There will be plenty of opportunities to relate these experiences to theory during campus sessions. When you graduate, you'll be eligible to become a registered teacher in licensed early childhood education centres.
Highlights
- Teacher registration: once you've completed this degree, you can apply for teacher registration with the Education Council of Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ Teachers Council)
- We aim for informed and reflective teaching based on observation and understanding of how people learn
- A thorough grounding in educational theory and relevant practice of teaching and learning, child development, relevant te reo and tikanga Māori and working with children and their families in Aotearoa New Zealand
- Emphasis on teaching practice: you'll be working (paid or voluntary) in a licensed early childhood centre for at least 12 hours per week during the programme
- Experience teaching in a range of centres: each year you will also take part in a practicum, working full-time in an early childhood education centre for 37.5 hours per week
- A strong emphasis on the New Zealand early childhood curriculum document, Te Whāriki, and a bicultural and sociocultural approach to learning
- Acknowledgment of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, which prepares you to implement te reo Māori me ona tikanga in your teaching practice
- A focus on research: you'll develop an understanding of research methodologies with a particular emphasis on action research (self-study) in an early childhood setting
TeachNZ Early Childhood Education Scholarships
- TeachNZ Early Childhood Education Scholarships: If you want to become an Early Childhood Education (ECE) teacher and you're passionate about Māori or Pasifika cultures, a TeachNZ ECE Scholarship may be just what you've been waiting for.
We encourage early application as spaces are limited - applications for semester 2, 2018 are now open.
Application process
1. Check whether you meet our programme admission requirements, click apply now and fill in the application form.
2. We'll be in touch within 48 hours to discuss your application. If eligible, you'll be invited to a group interview. You'll need to bring two forms of ID and sit a basic numeracy and literacy test.
3. After the interview, you'll need to provide us with the following information via your application Dashboard:
- Self-declaration form
- NZ police vetting form
- Evidence of English language requirements (see admission requirements)
- Details of two referees
Admission requirements
For this programme, you will need the following:
1. University Entrance which requires NCEA Level 3 including:
- 14 credits at NCEA Level 3 in three different approved subjects
- 10 credits at NCEA Level 2 or higher in English or Maori (5 in reading, 5 in writing)
- 10 credits at NCEA Level 1 or higher in Mathematics or Pangarau
2. Be at least 17 years old by the time the programme begins
3. Be able to work for a minimum of 12 hours per week for the duration of the programme in a licensed early childhood centre
4. Complete a self-declaration of criminal convictions and medical conditions form
5. Consent to a Safety Check which meets the requirements of the Vulnerable Children Regulations 2015 including:
- Provide two forms of ID and evidence of any name changes
- Consent to a police vet check
- Provide the names of two referees who Unitec or your placement provider can contact
- Pass an interview process which includes a group and individual interview plus a short numeracy and literacy test
- If required, provide a chronological summary of your work history for the past 5 years and the name of any professional organisations, licensing authorities and registration authorities that you have been or are a member of
Don't meet some of the above requirements?
1. If you are over the age of 20 and don't have NCEA, you may be accepted by special admission.
2. If English is not your first language you will need to provide evidence of achieving an overall IELTS (Academic) band score of no less than 7.0 in each band of the test.
- If you have studied in New Zealand for at least two years of secondary school and achieved the required literacy requirements or studied fully in English at a New Zealand or Australian tertiary education organisation, studied in a campus model of delivery in each year of your programme and graduated at Level 7 or higher, you don't need to meet an additional English language requirement.
For more information download the programme regulations:
Courses and timetables
For more details on the courses including timetables, please click on the course names below.
| Courses | Credits | Aim |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Practicum (EDUC5519) | 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) | To demonstrate beginning teaching practice in a practicum setting |
| Te Kete Manaaki Tangata (EDUC5905) | 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) | To assist students to develop understandings of Maori values and tikanga through deepening understandings of Te Reo Maori me ona tikanga. |
| Contexts of Early Childhood Education in Aotearoa/ New Zealand (EDUC5911) | 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) | To examine the social, cultural and ecological contexts of early childhood education in Aotearoa/New Zealand, including the bicultural nature of Early Childhood Education and the diversity of early childhood services. |
| Partnership and Professionalism (EDUC5912) | 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) | To encourage the development of knowledge, skills and attitudes required for early childhood educators to work in professional partnership with whanau and community. |
| Human Development (EDUC5913) | 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) | To examine theories of development, in order to gain an understanding of human development across the lifespan and its applications to learning in early childhood contexts. |
| Academic Literacy for Early Childhood Studies (EDUC5914) | 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) | To explore a range of academic study, research, referencing and writing skills and tools in order to provide a foundation for early childhood research and study. |
| Introduction to Curriculum and Te Whariki (EDUC5915) | 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) | To enable students to examine curriculum, observation, planning and assessment in Early Childhood Education including the relationship between play and learning for young children. |
| Introduction to Work Experience (EDUC5919) | 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) | To introduce the practice of teaching, with an emphasis on developing responsive and reciprocal relationships, through engagement in a work experience setting |
Disclaimer
The 'Key Information for Students' below does not reflect any international student information.
Please take this information as a guideline only. For example, you will often see a difference between these tuition fees and our estimate above. This is because there are a number of variables, such as the specific courses chosen within a programme.
The national graduate outcomes information is for all tertiary New Zealand providers including Unitec. This information is provided by the New Zealand Government and is derived from a national database that links educational and income information.
Key Information for Students
Entry requirements
Minimum requirements
: University Entrance with 14 credits at NCEA Level 3 in a mix of subjects, 10 credits at NCEA Level 1 or higher in Maths and English language requirements or relevant and equivalent qualifications, special and discretionary admission also accepted.Detailed requirements: See the above "Admission requirements" section for more information about entry to this progrogramme.
Duration
Tuition Fees | Annual | Total Qualification |
| Student fees: | $5,870 | $17,609 |
| Government tuition subsidy: | $8,791 | $26,374 |
| Total: | $14,661 | $43,983 |
Compulsory Student Services Fee
Student loan information available at StudyLink.
Student Success
National graduate outcomes
| (3 years after completion) | |
| Median earnings | $48,144 |
| Earnings range | $39,236 - $51,821 |
| In employment | 83% |
| In further study | 13% |
| On a benefit | 1% |
Note:All KIS information is the most recent available relating to domestic students only. Click here for more information about the Key Information for Students.
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