Programme overview
In this practical, field-based programme, you'll develop the skills required to become a competent, informed and reflective early childhood teacher who's committed to young children and their learning and development.
We believe people learn through participation, so you'll value the experience and insight that you’ll gain from working in early childhood centres. There'll also be plenty of opportunities to relate these experiences to theory during campus sessions. These sessions will only require you to be on-campus for 1.5 days per week, making it managable for those coming from outside Auckland. Additionally, we can organise placements closer to your place of residence to avoid any unnecessary inconvenience.
Best of all, 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 an 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 whānau in Aotearoa
- 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
- Acknowledgement 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
Work Experience
You must complete at least 12 hours (paid or voluntary) work experience per week during term time. If you're not currently employed, we can help you locate an appropriate centre. This can be at a centre close to your home.
Practicums
Year One: You will complete one 2-week practicum in your first term at the centre where you are, or will be, completing work experience. You will also complete one four-week practicum at the end of the year at another centre, chosen by Unitec in accordance with Teaching Council requirements. This can be at a centre close to your home.
Years Two and Three: You will complete one five-week practicum per year at another centre, chosen by Unitec in accordance with Teaching Council requirements. This can be at a centre close to your home.
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.
Applications have now closed for 2019, but information on the 2020 programme will be available soon.
If you have applied for a 2019 scholarship, you will be notified of the result by 18/7/19.
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
Please note: If English is not your first language, you will need to supply evidence that you have achieved an overall IELTS (Academic) band score of 7.0 in each band.
Admission requirements
For this programme, you will need the following:
1. For applicants under 20 years old: 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
Note: If you do not meet the NCEA requirements and are above the age of 20, you may still be accepted by special admission.
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 Children Act 2014 (formerly known as the Vulnerable Children's Act) and will be shared with a host institution as part of your practicum placement. This includes:
- Provide two forms of verified 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 a mandatory interview process which includes a group and individual interview plus a short numeracy and literacy test
- If required, provide a Curriculum Vitae (CV) detailing 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.
If English is not your first language, please see the Education Council website for additional requirements.
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 describe and analyse 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 Tertiary Study (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 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 |
