New Zealand Certificate in Early Childhood & Care
(Level 4)

Delivery Mode

• Face to Face (2 days x 6hrs per week) OR Blended (4 hours face to face AND 8 hours online per week)

• 12 hours per week of Self-Directed Learning

• 6 hours per week of Workplace Practicum.  A total of 120 hours of Workplace Practicum must be completed.

Entry Requirement

Prospective learners wishing to enrol into the New Zealand Certificate in Early Childhood Education (Level 4) must meet the following entry requirements for the programme:

• Disclose any criminal convictions at the time of enrolment; approve, at the time of enrolment, the release of criminal conviction information from the New Zealand Police, to enable learners to be placed in a workplace setting to meet the requirements of the programme (enrolment is provisional until vetting applications have been received and the learner can be placed in work).

• Must be able to complete one day per week of work experience workplace practicum within the industry to complete the practical requirements of the programme.

• Attend an interview as part of the enrolment process to establish if suitable to study at Level 4 with adequate literacy and numeracy skills.

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

Core papers included

Module 1: Administration and Bicultural Practice (14 credits)
Module 2: Learning and Development (17 credits)
Module 3: Health and Safety (15 credits)
Module 4: Communication and Relationships (14 credits)

Graduate Profile

Graduates of this qualification will be able to: 

• Guide the holistic development and learning of children through the application of key early childhood theories and approaches. 

• Promote children's learning through observing, planning, implementing and reviewing culturally responsive learning experiences (including play-based experiences) for mokopuna - infants, toddlers, and young children, using knowledge of the child in the context of their whanau, Te Whāriki and supporting documents. 

• Provide an environment guided by community and government services, legislation and regulatory requirements, to protect and support the holistic well-being, safety, health, nutrition and care of infants, toddlers, young children/ mokopuna and their whānau/ families. 

• Communicate effectively and use strategies to promote cultural, social and emotional competencies, and engage in respectful, reciprocal, and 

• responsive relationships within an early childhood education and care community. 

• Reflect on personal and professional development, and implement strategies that manage own health, wellbeing (including resilience) and professionalism in an early childhood setting. 

• Implement culturally responsive and inclusive ECE practice underpinned by Te Tiriti o Waitangi/The Treaty of Waitangi, Ka Hikitia and Tau Mai Te Reo, through the use of te reo and tikanga Māori with mokopuna/children and whanau/families in early childhood settings. 

• Apply knowledge of the diverse philosophical and cultural contexts and approaches informing early childhood education in Aotearoa New Zealand to develop a personal philosophy of practice. 

Employment Outcomes

Graduates of this qualification will have the skills and knowledge to work in a range of ECE settings as ECE educators, Kaimahi, ECE support workers, session leaders or organisers in a specific ECE context, such as parent-led services or playgroups including Pasifika and Māori.

Education Pathways