New Zealand Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 4) [Version 1]

NZ2850

Closed to new enrolments

If you want to care for infants and young children in homebased settings, education and care centres and playgroups our New Zealand Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 4) may be right for you.

  •  
    Level
    4
  •  
    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.

     

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

Update for new learners  

This version of NZ2850 New Zealand Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 4) is closed to new learners. 

 A new version, Version 2, of the programme is open for enrolment. Click on the link below to enrol in the new version.   

NZ2850 : New Zealand Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 4) [Version 2]

Update for re-enrolling learners 

If you were already enrolled in Version 1 of this programme up to and including 13 February 2024 you will be able to apply to complete Version 1 of the programme. 

Please note, to be awarded Version 1 of this programme, you must be enrolled in the final course in the programme, EDU405, by 1 July 2025, and successfully complete all programme requirements by 31 December 2025.

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

 

  

Qualification overview

If you have NCEA Level 2 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 3 hours a week.

This qualification will prepare you for a career as a homebased educator or as an educator working alongside registered teachers in early childhood education centres.
You may also find employment as a nanny, an educator in hospital-based services, or as a certificated playgroup coordinator.

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 and to see how you can claim this offer.

 

What you will learn

When you achieve this qualification you will have the skills and knowledge to:

  • implement socio cultural theories of learning and development to inform the holistic learning and development of tamariki
  • use the bi-cultural New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum Te Whariki as a framework for planning, implementing and reviewing enriching learning experiences for infants, toddlers and young children from diverse cultural backgrounds
  • contribute to culturally inclusive early childhood environments that nurture the holistic, health, wellbeing and care of infants, toddlers and young children
  • effectively communicate and engage in respectful, reciprocal and responsive relationship within an early childhood education and care community
  • manage personal health, wellbeing and professional development in an early childhood setting
  • demonstrate an understanding of legislation, early childhood regulations, and the role of government and community service in guiding ECE practices that protect and support the wellbeing of children and families
  • demonstrate an understanding of philosophical and cultural contexts and approaches that inform early childhood education in Aotearoa New Zealand and the development of a personal philosophy of practice
  • implement bicultural early ECE practice that promotes awareness of Māori as tangata whenua, through the use of te reo Māori and tikanga Māori with infants toddlers and young children and their families/whänau in early childhood setting.

Workplace component

There is a practical workplace component for each course requiring you to attend an early childhood setting for a minimum of 3 hours a week in one of the following types of New Zealand 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/whānau and young children

You need to tell us the name of the ECE service where you will be doing your practical work during the online enrolment process.

  •  
    Level
    4
  •  
    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.