Kayla Ching

Name: Kayla Ching

Qualification: Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education)

While Kayla Ching has always had a passion for children, it wasn’t until she gained some work experience in a preschool that she decided to formally pursue a career in the sector.

“Once I finished school I did some relieving at a preschool where my aunty worked as their cook. I loved every minute of it and looked forward to going to work whenever they needed me!

“This was only supposed to be temporary though, as I had already committed to a business course and a job at a law firm. However later that year, the preschool contacted me to ask if I was interested in covering a maternity leave position. I accepted and that’s when I decided to follow my heart and enrol in an ECE program.”

Kayla chose to study the Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) with New Zealand Tertiary College (NZTC) after deciding that the college best suited her individual needs.

“NZTC was so helpful in giving me different options to start my study, as I did not have university entrance. I was able to begin my studies on any Monday of the year, and I found the time frame for assessments clear and easy to manage. Focusing on one topic for six weeks at a time before beginning the next segment means you are able to gain a clear and solid understanding of the content.”

Kayla has found that she regularly incorporates what she’s learnt from her studies into her everyday teaching practice.

“There have been times I’ve read something in the course content, and then later at work I would be observing a child engaging in something and I would have that ‘ah huh!’ moment. That’s when I know what I have learnt through my studies connects to my real life work.

“To further these understandings I will have conversations with my colleagues regarding what I have learnt with NZTC, and they will explain it in a way that connects the concept to our centre. This creates such fantastic learning opportunities for myself as an educator.”