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As an Early Childhood teacher you will have the chance to engage with tamariki when they are most open to learning.
You'll have fun playing, laughing and learning with and from泭tamariki, knowing that no two days are ever the same.
As an early childhood teacher, you might inspire children's imaginations through building blocks and play dough one day, and the next day support the development of social skills and cooperation with group activities like gardening, playing musical instruments or preparing a meal.
With support from泭whnau you will be able to make a difference at this key stage of development. Through guided play you can help泭tamariki泭gain the skills they need for泭holistic泭development. Its a very challenging and satisfying career where you can make a real difference to the lives of our泭tamariki.
Early Childhood Teacher Education students:
Some students go straight into teacher education after secondary school because they love working with young children while other students start their studies after having their own children and realising the importance of early childhood education on young childrens development.
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You'll learn about the theory, practice and management of teaching, including the place and role of education, the characteristics of learners and the teaching-learning process. You'll also learn about Te Whriki, the Early Childhood curriculum, to prepare you for the profession of teaching.泭
You will spend numerous weeks placed in a centre where you can developing your teaching and putting your learning into practice. By the end of your time at UC you will be ready to begin your career as an Early Childhood teacher.泭
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There are three qualification pathways for Early Childhood Teaching at UC:
Ako: Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (Early Childhood)
The泭Ako: Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (Early Childhood)泭prepares you for a teaching career in different early childhood settings. This pathway泭is available on campus in tautahi Christchurch by泭or泭distance study.泭The degree takes three years of full-time study, or can be studied part-time for up to six years.
If you would like to泭study by distance泭you will need to attend on-site intensives (OSI)泭 in tautahi Christchurch, one of which is a two-week OSI at the beginning of the programme.
Ako: Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (Mtauranga Mori)
The泭Ako: Bachelor of Teaching and Learning泭Mtauranga Mori泭endorsement prepares you for a teaching career in different early childhood settings.泭The degree takes three years of full-time study, or can be studied part-time for up to six years.泭This pathway泭prioritises te reo Mori me na tikanga, and is founded on mtauranga Mori (Mori knowledge), Mori philosophies, and values.
The泭Mtauranga Mori泭Initial Teacher Education pathway will equip you to work in whare khungahunga (early childhood) and/or kura tuatahi (primary) settings working at level 2 (5180% te reo Mori immersion) or higher. A graduate of the Mtauranga Mori programme has the ability to work in bilingual English medium educational settings, where knowledge of te reo Mori me na tikanga, bicultural practice, and culturally empowering pedagogies are valued as a means to support child development.
For more information, krero with a泭Student Advisor.
Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning (Early Childhood)
If you already have a Level 7 NZ bachelor's degree or equivalent, you can apply to enrol in the one-year泭Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning Early Childhood. This programme can be studied full-time or part-time by distance (Flexible Learning Options). It includes 15 weeks of professional practice placements in early childhood centres.泭Distance students study their programme off campus, and attend on-campus intensives.
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Successful completion of any of these pathways lead to eligibility to apply for泭Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand泭registration. However, there are differences in the duration, focus and qualification awarded. Specifically, the泭Ako:泭BTchLn泭is a three-year undergraduate programme, while the泭GradDipTchLn泭is a泭one-year programmes for those with a bachelor's degree.泭Below is a quick overview of the differences between the programmes.
| AKO:BTCHLN | GRADDIPTCHLN | |
| Level of qualification | Undergraduate | Graduate |
| Qualification Duration | 3 years full-time | 1 year full-time |
| 2024 Course dates | 12 Feb - 8 Nov 2024 (distance students) 15 Feb - 8 Nov 2024 (campus students) | 29 Jan 8 Nov 2024 |
| Student Loan Eligibility* | Yes | Yes |
| Student Allowance泭Eligibility* | Yes | Yes |
*Source -泭
The Ako: Bachelor of Teaching and Learning is open to any student with University Entrance. English and Mathematics are recommended.
If you are 20 years of age or over, recent tertiary study is desirable. For example, you may want to consider the泭Certificate in University Preparation (CUP)泭before applying.
Selection for entry is not automatic and is based on:
English Language Competency泭requirements for Initial Teacher Education programmes
To gain entry into an Initial Teacher Education programme you must meet certain standards of English or te reo Mori language competency as required by the Teaching Council of New Zealand.
Information on the current English Language Competency requirements can be found at泭
Note: we will accept and progress your application even if you havent yet met the English Language Competency requirements at the time you submit your application.泭 If your application is successful any offer will be conditional on meeting English Language Competency requirements. A full offer will not be provided until this requirement has been met.
All Initial Teacher Education programmes have one intake each, starting in January or February.泭
Applications for teacher education programmes will close on 1 December each year for domestic applicants (31 October each year for international applicants). While we process applications as they are received, many of our programmes have a limited capacity for places and applications may close earlier if this capacity has been reached.
Our teacher education programmes have specialised application processes.泭Please read the泭Guide to applying泭section and complete the steps, before applying through泭myUC.泭
Before applying, its important to consider the commitment you are making to a professional education programme. To be successful, you will need to devote a significant amount of time each week to study and preparation, as well as demonstrate a commitment to professionalism in all areas.泭
Graduates of our Early Childhood Teacher Education programmes will be eligible for provisional registration. This enables you to apply for early childhood teaching positions in Aotearoa New Zealand. Please contact the relevant authorities for international requirements.
Teachers have many opportunities to progress to senior positions with experience and additional study such as our泭Postgraduate programmes. They can also use their teaching skills in other areas of work with young people (e.g. teaching trainee teachers, or working in curriculum development, research or education policy).
For more information visit the泭UC Careers Hub.
