New Zealand Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 3)

NZ2849

Closed to new enrolments

If you want to work with infants, toddlers or young children our New Zealand Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 3) may be right for you.

  •  
    Level
    3
  •  
    Credits
    60
  •  
    Student loan

    This programme can only be studied part-time.  It is not eligible for course-related costs, living costs or student allowances from StudyLink.

Qualification Update

New learners

NZ2849 New Zealand Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 3) (Version 1) is closed to new learners.

For information on our available early childhood education programmes go to: https://www.openpolytechnic.ac.nz/qualifications-and-courses/early-childhood-education/

 

Update for re-enrolling learners

Learners who were already enrolled in NZ2849 New Zealand Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 3) (Version 1) prior to 28 February 2023 can continue to re-enrol and complete their qualification.

Please note, to be awarded this certificate you will need to be enrolled in your last course(s) by 21 March 2023, and complete all course requirements by 1 December 2023. 

If you have any questions, or need assistance with a study plan, please contact us.

 

Programme information

If you have NCEA Level 1 or equivalent this is a great way to start your ECE career. You will study three courses and volunteer or work in a licensed ECE service for 4 hours a week.

This qualification will ready you to work in the early childhood education profession:

  • as a playgroup coordinator
  • in an ECE centre-based setting under the supervision of fully qualified and registered kaiako

For Māori speakers, this qualification may provide entry into ngā kohanga reo.

This qualification will also be useful for people seeking employment in community service organisations that work to enhance the lives of young children and their whānau, families and communities. 

 

Fee free offer

This programme is currently being offered fees free. Please read the terms and conditions to see if you are eligible .

 

What you will learn

When you achieve this qualification you will be able to:

  • contribute to an environment that provides for the health, safety and wellbeing of infants, toddlers and young children
  • work in compliance with early childhood regulations and legislative requirements 
  • use your knowledge of children’s learning of development, and the bicultural nature of the New Zealand early childhood curriculum Te Whāriki, to develop your own culturally responsive practice for working with young children
  • develop and maintain relationships with children, families, whānau and colleagues through the use of a range of communication strategies and social and cultural connectedness within an early childhood education and care setting
  • demonstrate knowledge professional behaviours and strategies to manage personal health and wellbeing in an early childhood setting
  • demonstrate knowledge of ethical responsibility in relation to own values and beliefs to guide practice in an early childhood setting
  • know about community and government services that help in operation of an early childhood education and care setting
  • use early childhood philosophies to inform your understanding of the diversity of early childhood education in Aotearoa New Zealand
  • use basic te reo Māori and tikanga Māori within an early childhood setting
  • develop your awareness of Māori as tangata whenua.

Academic pathways

After you complete this qualification you will meet the entry requirements (subject to meeting to the selection criteria) to enter our Level 4 Certificate in Early Childhood Education & Care.

  •  
    Level
    3
  •  
    Credits
    60
  •  
    Student loan

    This programme can only be studied part-time.  It is not eligible for course-related costs, living costs or student allowances from StudyLink.