Amrita Kaur

Name: Amrita Kaur

Qualification: Master of Education (Early Childhood Education)

After working as an early childhood kaiako for 12 years, Amrita Kaur’s motivation to contribute further to the ECE sector through research and leadership led her to pursue further study. 

“I wanted to enhance my pedagogical and theoretical knowledge, and postgraduate study through NZTC allowed me to grow in my career and live my dream as a researcher, contributing to children’s learning in a more effective and meaningful way.” 

The BestStart Centre Manager says gaining her Master’s degree with NZTC has supported her to develop her teaching practice through engagement with research and theory, all while studying at her own pace. 

“NZTC Online is flexible, interactive and dynamic, and allowed me to manage the different roles I play in both my professional and personal life, while having the pleasure of being a student at the same time.  

“Discussion Forums connected me with other learners, and enriched my kete of knowledge, allowing me to hear other people’s experiences and share my own.” 

While studying towards the Master of Education (ECE), Kaur, originally from India, was able to explore a topic close to her own heart. 

“My Master’s thesis focused on the second language acquisition experiences of children of Indian descent in an early childhood setting in Aotearoa, New Zealand.  

“The study provided glimpses into Indian children's language learning experiences in order for kaiako to consider the best support for bilingual learners, while valuing their home language.” 

Her hope is for the study to serve as a starting point to open further opportunities for kaiako to explore this important area. 

With her Master’s degree successfully completed, Kaur is currently pursuing her PhD in Education and hopes to offer further research and insights to the sector. 

“It’s really a dream come true for me. I have a special interest in supporting immigrant children and their families with consideration of their cultural and linguistic needs in designing the most suitable programs. 

“Growing myself as an active researcher, I would like to support ECE facilitators in achieving the best outcomes for young children.”