From support work to supporting children’s development

New Zealand Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 5) graduate Rebecca Colby has always felt a pull towards client care.

While this has usually been in early childhood education – getting her start as a home-based ECE educator – a dip into the healthcare sector as a support worker helped to develop key skills relevant to teaching.

“There are many crossovers between support work and early childhood education, from similarities in work ethics and approaches such as having a sense of whanaungatanga, to really understanding clients’ needs and wants, and being able to effectively understand and communicate with those who are non-verbal.”

Despite enjoying her stint in support work, Colby missed working with children and moved back to early childhood education as an unqualified teacher in an ECE centre.

After talking to a colleague who had studied with NZTC, the organisation and modes of learning seemed like a good fit and she began her journey towards New Zealand teacher registration with the Level 5 Diploma.

“It’s easy to work and study at the same time, as everything is readily available online. Once you have the layout of the website and app all worked out, it’s smooth sailing from there.

“The reduced fees were also an added bonus and financially helped me a lot, which made it easier to pursue study.”

A formal qualification in early childhood has given Colby confidence in her abilities and has helped her to reflect on how she works and interacts with the children in her care.

“I enjoyed being able to link what I do in the classroom to written evidence. I now understand the correct terms for a lot of the actions I was taking, as well as how to link them to an array of theories.

“It’s really affirmed my practice and has given me more things to consider while I’m teaching.”

She’s inspired by the development of children and enjoys being part of the learning journey during their early years, with her sights fixed firmly on an ECE teaching degree.

“Early childhood education is something you have to have a lot of passion for, but I can honestly say that every day as an early childhood teacher is brilliant in some type of way.

“Children are constantly growing, working things out, progressing, and they’re so curious to figure out the world.”