Certificate in Early Childhood Teaching (Level 6) - Bachelor of Teaching stream
A New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA)-approved program
The New Zealand Tertiary College (NZTC) Certificate in Early Childhood Teaching (Level 6) is a two-year program. The first stage is the same as the Certificate in Early Childhood Education (Level 5).
The second stage of the program builds on the knowledge and practical aspects of early childhood teaching learned in the first stage, as well as equip you with fundamental writing and research skills to help you prepare for higher level study.
Courses within the Certificate
The program is divided into two stages of study, with 10 courses in each stage. Each stage is a full-time study year of 40 weeks.
Stage 1
| Course Code |
Course Name |
EFTS* |
| B111C6 |
Introduction to Early Childhood Education |
0.1250 |
| B112C6 |
Professional Studies 1 |
0.0833 |
| B114C6 |
Early Childhood Writing & Research 1 |
0.0833 |
| B121C6 |
Play as a Framework for Learning |
0.0833 |
| B122C6 |
Planning and Learning |
0.1250 |
| B131C6 |
Lifespan Studies 1 |
0.1250 |
| B132C6 |
Positive Child Guidance |
0.0833 |
| B141C6 |
Te Ao Māori |
0.1000 |
| B142C6 |
Cultural Diversity |
0.1084 |
| FP1C6 |
Stage 1, Field Practice |
0.0834 |
| Total |
1.0000 |
Stage 2
| Course Code |
Course Name |
EFTS* |
| B211C6 |
Values, Belief and Practice |
0.0833 |
| B212C6 |
Professional Studies 2 |
0.0833 |
| B214C6 |
Early Childhood Writing & Research 2 |
0.0833 |
| B221C6 |
Early Childhood Curriculum 1 |
0.1250 |
| B222C6 |
Early Childhood Curriculum 2 |
0.1250 |
| B231C6 |
Lifespan Studies 2 |
0.1250 |
| B232C6 |
Learning and Behaviour |
0.0833 |
| B241C6 |
Bicultural Education/Matauranga ā Rua |
0.0834 |
| B242C6 |
The Family |
0.1250 |
| FP2C6 |
Stage 2, Field Practice |
0.0834 |
| Total |
1.0000 |
* The EFTS column shows the Equivalent Full-Time Study proportion of each course. 1.00 EFTS is equal to one year of full-time study.
Modes of study
The Certificate in Early Childhood Teaching (Level 6) is approved by NZQA for three modes of study: college based, field based, and distance learning (including NZTC Online). Please see our Modes of study (Teaching programs) page for more details.
NOTE: International students in the distance learning mode of study are required to attend a minimum of 16 hours per week in an approved, licensed early childhood centre under the supervision of an associate teacher. International students are also required to attend a further four hours of tutorials a week on campus.
Start dates
Our next available start date is July 2013. Distance learning students can start at any time.
Field Practice
You will be required to attend 12 weeks of full-time (40 hours per week) field practice during your Certificate studies. This will consist of 6 weeks per stage. A total of 6 weeks can be carried out in your home centre (your main centre, at which you may already be employed) and 6 weeks in a different centre to your home centre.
Assessments
All courses within the program are internally assessed and include theory-based assessments and practical components. There are no exams.
Entry Criteria
The below entry criteria apply for students who are New Zealand citizens or permanent residents. If you are an international student, please refer to our International Student Entry Criteria.
Before being accepted into the program, candidates must:
- Turn 17 within one month of starting program
- Have completed four years of secondary schooling (if under 20 years old)
- Have achieved a score of 20 or less in four Sixth Form Certificate subjects (one of which must be English or Maori with a score of 5 or better) or achieved 48 NCEA credits at Level 2 or better across four subjects (one of which must be English or Maori) with a minimum of 12 credits in each subject
- Meet the New Zealand Teachers Council criteria
for registration as a teacher
- Provide at least two written references
- Satisfy NZ Police clearance conditions
- Meet the staff health requirements for early childhood centres as outlined in the New Zealand Education (Early Childhood Centres) Regulations 1998
- Declare any physical or learning disability that may impair your performance as a student
- Succeed in a personal interview
- if you are a student with English as an Additional Language (EAL), prove your English proficiency with an IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 overall with no band score lower than 5.5
Pathways
This program has pathways into higher level courses in both Education programs and Teaching programs. For more details, see our Pathways (Teaching programs) and Pathways (Education programs) pages.
Adult applicants (over 20 years of age)
We welcome applications from New Zealand citizens or holders of New Zealand residency aged 20 years and above who may not have the formal high school qualifications required for entry. We will assess your work and life experience and make a judgement about whether you can meet the academic standards the program requires.
How to apply
Please see our How to apply (Teaching programs) page for application forms and details about the application process.