Certificate in Early Childhood Teaching (Level 6)
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.
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Program outline |
|
|---|---|
|
Stage 1 |
Stage 2 |
| B111C6 Introduction to early childhood education | B211C6 Values,belief and practice |
| B112C6 Professional studies 1 | B212C6 Professional studies 2 |
| B114C6 Early childhood research and writing | B214C6 Early childhood research and writing 2 |
| B121C6 Play as a framework for learning | B221C6 Early childhood curriculum 1 |
| B122C6 Planning and learning | B222C6 Early childhood curriculum 2 |
| B131C6 Lifespan studies 1 | B231C6 Lifespan studies 2 |
| B132C6 Positive child guidance | B232C6 Learning and behaviour |
| B141C6 Te Ao Māori | B241C6 Bicultural Education/Matauranga ā rua |
| B142C6 Cultural diversity | B242C6 The family |
| FP1C6 Stage 1, field practice | FP2C6 Stage 2, field practice |
Mode of study
You can choose between our three different modes of study: College based, Field based, and Distance Learning (NZTC Online).
Start dates
With NZTC Online you can start any time - “enrol today, start tomorrow”.
College based students can start in February or August of each year.
Field based students can start in February.
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.
Pathway to a degree in early childhood education
If you successfully complete this program of study, you are eligible to apply for our Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education), which is recognised by the New Zealand Teacher’s Council. Graduates from our Bachelor program are eligible to apply for teacher registration in New Zealand.
You can credit up to 16 courses from your Certificate in Early Childhood Teaching to the Bachelor program. Entry criteria and prerequisite courses will apply; please see our Pathways page for more details.
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 teacher
- Succeed in a personal interview
Please note: student teachers with English as a second language must have an English proficiency level equivalent to an IELTS (Academic) score of 5.5 overall.
Adult applications (over 20 years of age)
We welcome applications from students aged 20 years old and over 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.
