Pyara Singh
Name: Pyara Singh
Qualification: New Zealand Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 5)
Pyara Singh is passionate about working with young children and building a solid foundation for their development.
After helping other people achieve their goals through his work as an insurance agent, he decided to exchange his office job for work in an early childhood centre and pursue his own dream in early childhood teaching.
Choosing the New Zealand Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 5) with New Zealand Tertiary College was an easy decision to make, due to the flexibility of the program.
“The online learning aligned with my circumstances and goals,” he says.
“I started working full-time in an ECE centre, so the online platform allowed me to study from anywhere and made it convenient to manage work and family responsibilities alongside my education.”
Since finishing the program in May 2024, Pyara is now determined to continue on his new path and complete a bachelor’s degree, gaining New Zealand teacher registration.
“NZTC supports my learning to accomplish my goals. They provide quality education in early childhood education, equipping me with the relevant knowledge and skills I need to excel in my career.”
Hear what he likes the most about his new career path:
Did you have a favourite course in the program?
The course that I found really fascinating was Culturally Responsive Early Childhood Education. It highlighted the importance for me to fully comprehend my own culture so that I can assist the diverse cultures within our ECE environment. Applying this knowledge, I was able to create a welcome wall where different ways of saying simple phrases were displayed.
What is your favourite part of working in ECE?
I want to make a positive impact on children’s lives by being a role model teacher who provides children with the best possible care and learning, so they can develop life skills. I find the work very enjoyable and fulfilling as it allows me to build meaningful relationships, collaborate with families and whānau, and embrace diversity and inclusiveness.
Are there any similarities between working in insurance and working in early childhood education?
Insurance sales involves having a thorough knowledge of the products. My primary goal was firstly to understand the concerns of people and, secondly, to match their needs with the appropriate products we had available. Similarly, ECE involves understanding the specific goals and aspirations that families have about their children, and their children’s interests, and then achieving those goals through intentional teaching and teaching practices.