Study early childhood education (ECE)

New Zealand Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 4)

Overview
Details

Applications for 2023 will open soon

and be one of the first to be notified when applications are open for studying with us in 2023.

Programme highlights

Help give young children the best start in their education.

Become an early childhood educator.

You will learn how to care for children and support them to reach their next milestone.

This qualification is the best place to start if you want to get a job as an early learning centre educator, home-based educator, teacher aide, education support worker, kaimahi or nanny. Or, you could already be working in the industry and want to get your skills recognised.

You will also learn the fundamentals in early childhood development and get real-world experience working or volunteering in an early childhood centre or home-based care setting.

Flexible study option

Key facts

Start month(s)	February, July See key dates
Study location(s)	MIT Ōtara
Level	4
Domestic fees	$3,300 (approx.) Click here to see individual course fees
Youth Guarantee (fees-free*)	Not available Click here to find out more
Programme code	NZ2850

Duration	Full-time for 17 teaching weeks, part-time available. _{The maximum time to complete the programme part-time is 2 years.}
Study method	Full-time, Part-time
Credits	60
International fees	NZD$10,600 (approx.)
Māori and Pasifika Trades Training Scholarship (fees-free*)	Not available Click here to find out more
Qualification leads to	New Zealand Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 4)

Entry requirements

General

Be 17 years of age or over at the commencement of the programme.

Safety checks

To satisfy the risk assessment and safety check required in compliance with the Vulnerable Children Act (2014) the following requirements are in place:

Provide a New Zealand Police Check (using the NZ Police and Vetting Consent to Disclosure of Information form) that demonstrates that the applicant has no criminal record and thus meets the requirements to work with at-risk and vulnerable children as required by the Vulnerable Children Act (2014)
Attend a face to face interview (or equivalent)
Sign a statement agreeing to the release of pertinent information relevant to the Vulnerable Children Act 2014 that a Childcare centre may request
Provide two satisfactory written referee reports
Provide one photograph that meets the criteria defined by the New Zealand passport office: https://www.passports.govt.nz/Passport-Photo-Requirements

International students: English language entry requirements

For the minimum English language requirements visit the IELTS Test Centre and refer to the requirements set out in the NZQF Programme and Accreditation Rules: https://www.nzqa.govt.nz/providers-partners/qa-system-for-teos/english-international-students/

International students will generally be required to provide evidence of English language proficiency, for this programme an IELTS General or Academic score of 5.5 with no band score lower than 5 is required. Equivalent acceptable evidence can be seen at the following NZQA link: https://www.nzqa.govt.nz/about-us/our-role/legislation/nzqa-rules/nzqf-related-rules/the-table/

Provisional entry

Students who have attained the age of 20 years and do not hold the minimum entry requirements for a programme or training scheme may be eligible to be enrolled. Such decisions must consider any applicable pre-requisites and will be made by the Head of School. Students who have not attained the age of 20 years and do not hold the required minimum entry requirements may also be eligible to be enrolled in exceptional circumstances where they can demonstrate capability for study at the required level. Such decisions must consider any applicable pre-requisites and will be made by the Head of School.

International students

Test your English level to help you plan.

Take our free online English test to get a basic indication of your English level. This will help you understand what programmes you can apply for and what preparation you may require before you start your programme of study.

Need IELTS?

Book your British Council IELTS test with us.

You will complete your test in one day, plus get free online tuition to help you succeed. We offer paper-based or computer-delivered IELTS. Choose computer-delivered IELTS and get your results in 3-5 days.

Programme structure

You will need to complete the below three courses (60 credits):

902.434 Learning and development theory (22 credits)

Develop your understanding of learning and development theories and characteristics of infants, toddlers and young children to enhance effective teaching techniques to support children's learning through play.

902.435 Curriculum in ECE (22 credits)

An introduction to the Early Childhood Curriculum document Te Whāriki and how you may use this to observe, plan, review and respond to children's learning.

902.436 Cultural partnerships in ECE (16 credits)

Learn about ethical practice and professional behaviour in working with diverse cultures while developing in your personal and professional journey through reciprocal relationships with the families and whanau in an ECE setting.

Key dates and timetables

To find the key dates and timetables of this programme, please view the education calendar.

Career opportunities

Entry-level early childhood educator (centre or home-based), teacher aide, education support worker or nanny. For potential salaries visit careers.govt.nz.

Further training or study

MIT is becoming Te Pūkenga

Vocational education in Aotearoa is changing to better meet the needs of learners like you.

As part of this transformational change, MIT will next year become fully part of Te Pūkenga, a national network delivering skills training in a wide range of locations throughout Aotearoa. This means that while you’re applying with MIT now, from Semester 1, 2023 when you enrol you’ll become a Te Pūkenga learner.

The new system has the success and wellbeing of learners at its heart, and a review of all programmes is currently underway to help support this, including the programme that you’ve enrolled with. The aim is to make qualifications more portable, consistent and closely aligned with the needs of industry, and more in tune with where the world is headed.

As the programme review is ongoing, the courses outlined may be liable to change over time. Rest assured that we’ll notify you of any material changes to delivery that might impact what you’re studying, where you’re studying or the ways you’re learning.

_{Information is correct as at 4 August 2022. Programme fees are based on a full-time student and may vary depending on your final selection of courses that make up your programme. To provide you with an indication of costs, the approximate fees quoted in this publication are based on the indicative 2022 fee structure. The indicative programme fees for 2022 do not include the Compulsory Student Services Fee (CSSF). The CSSF is an additional levy to your 2022 programme or course fees. Further information about the CSSF can be found here www.manukau.ac.nz/cssf. Programmes stated as eligible for free study in 2022 are based on the 2021 fee structure and subject to funding confirmation for 2022. All fees are in New Zealand Dollars. You will be advised of the current fees at the time of enrolment. All courses and programmes will proceed subject to numbers and academic approval. Manukau Institute of Technology Limited is accredited under the provisions of the Education and Training Act 2020. International students must study in class and will not be able to enrol for online study options.}