A career in early childhood education is filled with opportunities for you to contribute to children’s learning – from working directly with children as an early childhood teacher, to developing curriculum, to sharing your knowledge with other aspiring early childhood professionals as a lecturer.

REWARDING PROFESSION

Whether working directly or indirectly with children, you’ll find that contributing to the ECE sector is a rewarding experience.

CREATIVE ROLES

Those working in ECE often have the opportunity to be creative in their contribution to children’s learning.

PROFESSIONAL GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES

Once you’ve gained experience working in the New Zealand ECE sector, you can pursue various ECE management roles that give you the opportunity to grow as an ECE professional.

CONTRIBUTE TO CHILDREN’S LEARNING

Play an active part in the development and education of young children.

CORPORATE CAREER

Various positions are available in the corporate offices of large early childhood centre chains, such as Kidicorp, Barnados New Zealand, Kindercare Learning Centres, Lollipops Educare and Porse In-Home Childcare.

OUT OF SCHOOL CARE AND RECREATION (OSCAR) ROLES

OSCAR

services are before/after school and school holiday programs for children, usually up to the age of 13 years.

TRAINER

Trainers plan and provide practical training courses for employees of businesses, government or other organisations in subject areas they have experience and expertise in.

ECE ENTREPRENEUR

If you have a keen business sense and leadership and management skills, you might be attracted to the possibility of running your own early childhood education centre or service.

Level 7 (Bachelor’s degree)

• Duration: Equal to length of study (typically up to 3 years)
• Requirement: minimum 30 weeks full time study in NZ

Level 7 (Graduate Diploma)
Eligible for PSWV
Conditions:

• Must also hold a Bachelor’s degree (NZ or overseas)
• Duration: Up to length of study (typically 1 year)

Level 8 (Postgraduate Diploma)

• Duration: Equal to length of study, OR
• Up to 3 years in some cases (if part of higher qualification pathway)

Level 9 and 10 (Master’s degree and Doctoral degree)

• Duration: 3 years
• Condition: Must study at least 30 weeks in New Zealand

- Most eligible international students can work up to 25 hours per week during study and full-time during scheduled breaks, only if their student visa includes work rights.

- Foundation, pathway and short courses have different rules.

- Not allowed for part time students.

All applicants must:

Have completed the New Zealand Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 5) or equivalent
Demonstrate your ability to meet the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand’s Good Character and Fit to be Teacher Policy (2007) criteria
Provide written referee report(s)
Satisfy New Zealand Police Clearance conditions
Declare any physical or learning disability, or diverse needs that may impact on their performance as a student
Applicants may be required to succeed in a personal interview
Please note:

Other special admission categories may be applied for and granted at the discretion of the College
Credit for prior formal learning may be awarded towards this qualification at the discretion of the College
Language Entry Criteria:
International students are required to provide proof of their English language competency by meeting the language criteria defined in Rule 18 of the NZQF Programme Approval and Accreditation Rules 2021 for a level 6 qualification.

Domestic students with English as an additional language are required to provide proof of their English language competency.

Domestic and International Applicants studying outside New Zealand:

Must have turned 16 years of age prior to starting the program
International Applicants Studying in New Zealand

Must have turned 18 years of age prior to starting the program

New Zealand Diploma in Early Childhood Education Level 5:

IELTS (Academic) - Overall score: 5.5 ; A minimum band score: 5.0
PTE (Academic) - Overall score: 42 ; A minimum band score: 36
LanguageCert - B2 Communicator IESOL: HIGH PASS with no less than 25/50 in Listening, Reading and Writing and PASS in Spoken.
 

New Zealand Diploma in Early Childhood Education Level 6:

IELTS (Academic) - Overall score: 6.0 ; A minimum band score: 5.5
PTE (Academic) - Overall score: 50 ; A minimum band score: 42
LanguageCert - C1 Expert IEOSL: PASS with no less than 25/50 in Listening, Reading and Writing and PASS in Spoken.
 

Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) and Graduate Diploma in Teaching (ECE):

IELTS (Academic) - Overall score: 7.0 ; A minimum band score: 7.0
PTE (Academic) - Overall score: 65 ; A minimum band score: 65
LanguageCert - C1 Expert IESOL: no less than 35/50 in each skill ; C2 Mastery IEOSL: no less than 25/50 in each skill