EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
NZ Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 4)
Duration
18 weeks including holidays
Campus
Nationwide
Delivery
Online
Credits
60
Work placement
64 hours
Programme overview
Are you passionate about looking after and teaching children? Light up your life and the lives of others with a New Zealand Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care. Through NZSE’s ECE programme, you’ll make a start on your career in ECE by becoming a skilled and sought-after educator. From here, you can choose to work in ECE or progress to university-level studies.
This highly accessible, engaging and creative online programme will give you the required skills and knowledge to become a competent Early Childhood Kaiako to work in a variety of child care centres and facilities. Embark on this meaningful pathway if you are thinking of entering the ECE sector with no previous experience; are already working in the sector; or you are currently a home-based educator needing to become qualified at Level 4.
Start date by campus
Start Date
End Date
- 25/11/2024
- 24/03/2025
- 11/08/2025
- 11/05/2024
- 25/07/2025
- 12/12/2025
What you study
- Understand and implement the curriculum, Te Whāriki
- Bicultural practices, such as tikanga and reo Māori
- Regulatory, legislative, theoretical and ethical requirements
- Holistic and inclusive wellbeing of infants, toddlers and young children through cultural safety and community involvement
- Strategies for own health and well-being
- Learning and development philosophies, theories and approaches for holistic development of children in ECE
- Developing relationships with families/whānau, communities and colleagues through professional and ethical behaviour and effective communication skills
- Reflect on personal skills and understanding, underpinned by whanaungatanga, manaakitanga and Pasifika values
- Plan and evaluate play-based curriculum, ensuring a safe and inclusive teaching and learning ECE environment.
In the last course of the programme you will undertake 64 hours of work placement. Work placement can be undertaken in a licensed home-based service, an ECE Centre, a kindergarten, or a language nest.
Career opportunities
- Home-based educators
- Session Leader in parent-led playgroups
- ECE Educator or Support Worker
- Kaimahi in a Māori or Pasifika centre.
Entry requirements
- Aged 17 years or over at the start of the programme.
- Expected to show potential to study at Level 4 with adequate literacy and numeracy skills, such as evidenced by achievement of NCEA Level 1 or higher, or have completed a qualification or unit standards at level 2 or above on the NZQA framework or equivalent.
- If unable to provide above evidence, then you can provide a letter of recommendation or attestation from someone (not family or friend) who can testify to your ability to study in this programme.
- Information from two referees (not family or friends).
- A criminal record/police check will be conducted (as required for working with young children). Contact us for more information if unsure.
- An interview and a short statement of intent on why you wish to pursue an Early Childhood Education qualification.
- Verification of identity.
- Work history, and information from any relevant professional organisation or registration body.
- This programme requires students to have access to a laptop/desktop that can connect to the internet with a web browser and a required minimum screen size of 10 inches. For device specifications, please talk to your Course Advisor
- This programme is not available for international students.
Enquire now
NZSE provides a student-centered approach to your learning and full support to your life as a student. Request information here:
Talk to us about your study options
Thinking about studying at NZSE? Book a time with us to discuss your study options.
