Certificate in Early Childhood Practice (Level 4)

You must be 17 years or older to enrol in this qualification. In addition you must volunteer or work for a minimum of 6 hours a week in one of the following types of early childhood
settings:

• Licensed early childhood centre
• Licensed home-based setting affiliated to a home-base service or nanny provider
• Certificated playgroup
• Setting recognised for funding purposes by the Ministry of Education or Ministry of Health. These will be programmes with a focus on supporting families/whänau and young children
• Other settings or services approved by the Manager, Centre of Education Studies, Open Polytechnic.

In addition you must have a satisfactory report from the Ministry of Justice or signed verification from a home-based service provider of having a clear police vet within the previous 12 months.

English language

Because we teach in English, if English is not your first language you must supply evidence of one of the following:

• A minimum grade of 5.5 in IELTS (academic) with no sub-score less than 5.5; or
• A minimum score of 500 (essay 3.5 TWE) in TOEFL (pBT) or 60 (writing 20) in TOEFL (iBT); or
• Passes in other recognised English proficiency tests or other evidence acceptable to the Academic Registrar;
• Evidence of successful study at another New Zealand tertiary institution; or
• At least five years study at a secondary school where English is the language of instruction.

Set texts

You will need set texts for these courses. These are additional cost and not included in your course fees. Texts can be bought online. Go to Vicbooks and click on the Open Polytechnic link.