Bachelor Of Teaching (Early Childhood Education)

Credits 360 (3.0 EFTS)

Campus Mt Albert

Career opportunities

• Early childhood teacher

• Early year primary school teacher

• Head teacher in an early childhood setting

• Home-based coordinator/educator

• Manager in an early childhood education centre

• Hospital play specialist

• Nanny

Highlights

• Become a qualified early childhood teacher: on completion of the programme you’ll be able to apply for teacher registration and certification with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand.

• Emphasis on teaching practice: work (paid or voluntary) in a licensed early childhood centre for at least 12 hours per week during the programme.

• In addition, teaching in a range of centres: each year you’ll also take part in professional experience at an early childhood education centre for 37.5 hours per week.

• Our graduates have had a 100% employment rate since 2014.

• A focus on research: you’ll design and implement a self-study research project in an area of interest, carry it out during your teaching practice, then reflect upon how it has impacted your practice.

• A strong emphasis on mātauranga Māori and the Aotearoa New Zealand early childhood curriculum document, Te Whāriki, with a commitment to a bicultural and sociocultural learning approach.

• Acknowledgement of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, which prepares you to implement te reo me ngā tikanga Māori in your teaching practice.

Start dates February or July

Duration Full-time for three years

Annual fees $6,800 (NZD)

(Approximate domestic fees only. Includes GST but excludes the Compulsory Student Services Fee levy)

If you’ve always wanted to work with young children, study early childhood education and develop the skills and knowledge required to make a difference in the lives of children, their whānau and society.

Programme overview

In this practical, field-based programme, you’ll develop the skills and knowledge required to become a competent, informed, and reflective early childhood teacher who is committed to young children and their learning and development.

You’ll work at least 12 hours a week in an early childhood centre while studying, and be on campus 2 days a week, where you’ll learn to relate your teaching practice to theory. Teaching staff are regularly on hand to provide pastoral care, and there are numerous student support services available on campus.

You’ll experience a range of professional experience placements at other early childhood centres for 12 weeks over three years. In addition, you’ll do 10 weeks of professional experience in your home centre over the three years. When you graduate, you’ll be eligible to become a certified teacher in Aotearoa New Zealand.

(The practicum hours are under review and will be increased from 2022 onwards.)

Field experience

You’ll complete at least 12 hours (paid or voluntary) field experience per week during term times. If you’re not currently employed, we can help you find an appropriate centre – this can be located close to your home if you’re not based in Auckland.

Professional Experience

Year One:

You’ll complete one two-week placement in your first term at the centre where you are on field experience. You’ll also complete one four-week professional experience placement at the end of the year at another centre, chosen by Unitec in accordance with Teaching Council requirements.

Years Two and Three:

You’ll complete one four-week practicum per year at another centre, also chosen by Unitec, in accordance with Teaching Council requirements.

You will also complete one four-week placement per year at your Field Experience centre to ensure you meet the practice requirements of the Teaching Council.

TeachNZ Scholarships

As part of the government’s support for equity in education, there are a range of TeachNZ scholarships available. You may be eligible for one of these, especially if you’re passionate about becoming an early childhood educator and are Māori, Pasifika or planning to teach in bilingual or immersion settings.

Contact scholarships@unitec.ac.nz for more information.

Admission requirements

For this programme, the application process depends on your age.

If you’re 20 years old and over:

1. Be able to work for a minimum of 12 hours per week for the duration of the programme in a licensed early childhood centre.

2. Complete a self-declaration of criminal convictions and medical conditions form.

3. Consent to a safety check as set out in the Children’s Regulations 2015. This will be shared with host institutions as part of your Field Experience and Professional Experience.

• Providing two forms of verified ID and evidence of any name changes.

• Complete a police vetting form.

• Providing the names of two referees who Unitec can contact.

• Pass a mandatory interview process which includes a group and individual interview, plus a short numeracy and literacy test.

• If required, provide a CV detailing a chronological summary of your work history for the past five years.

You don’t need to have any NCEA credits (or equivalent), however there is a short numeracy and literacy test during your interview process.

If you’re under 20 years old:

In addition to the above requirements, you’ll need the following:

1. To be 17 years old by the time the programme starts

2. University Entrance which requires NCEA Level 3 including:

• 14 credits at NCEA Level 3 in three different approved subjects

• 10 credits at NCEA Level 2 or higher in English or te reo māori (5 in reading, 5 in writing)

• 10 credits at NCEA Level 1 or higher in Mathematics or Pāngarau

If you don’t meet the English criteria above, we have a range of English Language programmes available.

There are additional English requirements for international students – you can find more information on our website.

Other options

If you don’t meet these requirements, you could still apply for special or discretionary admission.

For more information download the programme regulations: unitec.ac.nz/ece

International Students, please visit unitec.ac.nz/international