Choose your career – early childhood education
With a teaching qualifcation in early childhood education you will be eligible to apply for registration
and provisional certifcation as a practising early childhood teacher in New Zealand. You will
be eligible to earn a salary at degree level, or higher, in services covered by the New Zealand
Educational Institute teaching collective agreement for early childhood teachers.
You will be qualifed to teach in all early childhood services in New Zealand including early childhood
care and education centres and kindergartens. The Pasifka specialisation develops specifc skills
to work effectively with Pacifc children and their families. It also enables graduates to work in both
English medium and Pacifc-led early childhood services.
There are also opportunities to go on to postgraduate-level study and research.
JOY BRUCE
Student: Bachelor of Education (Teaching)
Early Childhood Education specialisation
“I expected to struggle at university as I
wasn't the best at high school. What I’ve
found has been the opposite. During my
time here I have been a mentor for first-year
students, had the opportunity to publish
one of my assignments in a journal read by
teachers throughout the country and overall
felt incredibly valued as a student and
future teacher.
“The University has helped me to find my
feet and realise my value as a teacher and
learner – for which I am truly grateful. The
respect I have been given by the lecturers
I have encountered has been beyond all
my expectations. I have also developed
friendships with like-minded people within
my course, which has led to interesting
and challenging discussions to do with our
profession.
“I chose to do an early childhood teaching
degree because I am passionate about
the learning and development of young
children and I like the holistic nature of
early childhood education in New Zealand.
Watching children play and identifying
their learning through observation and
conversations is something I find absolutely
fascinating. I have enjoyed the many
beautiful moments during practicum where
what I have learnt in class has clicked and
I see an example of what was being talked
about right in front of my eyes.”
Joy Bruce is in her third year of study
towards a Bachelor of Education (Teaching)
Early Childhood Education specialisation.
During the programme of study you
will:
• Learn about social and learning contexts
specifc to early childhood education.
• Undertake practical experience in a variety of
early childhood settings and work alongside
experienced teachers to develop your teaching
practice.
• Study the New Zealand early childhood
curriculum Te Whāriki, educational theory and
effective teaching techniques.
Find out more at:
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