New Zealand Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care

Ara Institute of Canterbury

Subject area

Nannying and Early Childhood Care

Qualification

Check out Fees Free to see whether you are eligible for a year of fees-free study or two years industry training. Contact your provider to confirm your study options meet the criteria.

Entry requirements

Regulatory
This is the minimum qualification requirement for licensed home-based educators, and the person responsible in Playcentres.

Programmes leading to this qualification must reflect quality practice and maintain currency with amendments to, and replacements of, relevant legislation, regulations, Australia/New Zealand standards (AS/NZS), and security responsibilities including cyber safety (particularly related to young children).

- Current legislation and regulations can be accessed at www.legislation.govt.nz

- Current AS/NZS standards can be accessed at www.standards.co.nz

- Current regulatory framework and licensing criteria for ECE can be accessed from the Ministry of Education at www.education.govt.nz/early-childhood/

- Information on the Children's Act 2014, safety checking regulations and guidelines can be accessed from www.orangatamariki.govt.nz/working-with-children/childrens-act-requirements/.

Completion of a comprehensive First Aid course is recommended, as it may be a requirement for licensing for some types of ECE service e.g. home-based.

Relevant supporting resources:
- Action Plan for Pacific Education 2020-2030 available at www.education.govt.nz/our-work/overall-strategies-and-policies/action-plan-for-pacific-education-2020-2030/
- Early Learning Action Plan (ELAP)
- Ka Hikitia and Tau Mai Te Reo
- Kei Tua o te Pae - Assessment for learning - Early Childhood- available at www.education.govt.nz/early-childhood/teaching-and-learning/assessment-for-learning/kei-tua-o-te-pae-2/
- Tapasā - Cultural competencies framework for teachers of Pacific learners- available at https://teachingcouncil.nz/resource-centre/tapasa/
- Tātaiako - Cultural competencies framework for teachers of Māori learners- available at https://teachingcouncil.nz/resource-centre/tataiako-cultural-competencies-for-teachers-of-maori-learners/
- Te Kete Ipurangi (TKI) - Te Whāriki online resources, which can be accessed at tewhariki.tki.org.nz/ including He Māpuna te Tamaiti - supporting Social and Emotional Competence in Early Learning;
Talking together, Te kōrerorero
- Te Whare Tapa Whā - available at www.health.govt.nz/our-work/populations/maori-health/maori-health-models/maori-health-models-te-whare-tapa-wha
- Te whatu pōkeka - available at www.education.govt.nz/early-childhood/teaching-and-learning/assessment-for-learning/te-whatu-pokeka-english/
- Teaching Council Our Code Our Standards- available at https://teachingcouncil.nz/professional-practice/our-code-our-standards/
- The New Zealand Curriculum- available at https://nzcurriculum.tki.org.nz/The-New-Zealand-Curriculum

About the course

What can I expect out of this qualification?

The purpose of this qualification is to provide Aotearoa New Zealand with people who can provide practice-based education and care in a specific early childhood context. This is the minimum qualification requirement for licensed home-based educators, and further details can be accessed from the Ministry of Education at: www.education.govt.nz/early-childhood/funding-and-data/transition-to-a-qualified-home-based-workforce/#sh-home-based%20qualification

This qualification is intended for people who intend to work as early childhood educators, particularly in the home-based sector, or proceed to further study. Graduates will enhance family, whānau and community outcomes and will support mokopuna - infants, toddlers and young children.

Graduates will be able to operate independently and self-manage, taking some responsibility for the performance of others. The early childhood education (ECE) setting and associated regulatory framework and criteria will determine the level of supervision under which graduates will operate when employed. For example, home-based regular sole charge practitioners would be under general supervision, while parent-led session leaders would provide guidance and supervision of others.