This qualification has been designed to prepare teaching graduates with the skills to adapt to a changing education environment within the early childhood education sector. It is envisioned this programme will provide the graduate with broad theoretical, technical, practical and reflective knowledge and skills to embark on their teaching profession. The qualification embraces and develops the student's current knowledge of te reo, tikanga and mātauranga Māori by engaging in authentic partnerships with tangata whenua and mana whenua in Aotearoa. It will raise the student's awareness, understanding and knowing of bi-culturalism and multi-culturalism (with an emphasis on Pasifika cultures) to reflect the unique sociocultural context of Aotearoa. This qualification is intentional and purposeful to get the very best early childhood education teachers to support, nurture and grow children; the future adults and leaders of tomorrow. Graduates from this qualification will be able to teach in a variety of early childhood settings. All graduates will meet the requirements of the Standards for the Teaching Profession (Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand, 2019)

Graduates of Te Tohu Paetahi Whakaako Kōhungahunga Bachelor of Teaching Early Childhood Education will be:
1. Intentional Teachers - use their professional judgement to apply broad pedagogical knowledge and a deep understanding of a subject content and curricula to facilitate children's learning and development.
2. Bicultural Teachers - implement a tikanga Māori approach to their work with learners, using Te Tiriti o Waitangi to guide their practice, drawing on the aspirations of whānau, hapū and iwi.
3. Ethical Teachers - critically aware of their surroundings (including political) and know what to do and when to act. They are alert and responsive to the changes in their environment, using this knowledge to advocate for social justice.
4. Relational Teachers - skilled in communication and collaboration, and aware and respectful of others. They have a deep understanding of their own identity and uphold the mana of all they work with.
5. Learning Teachers - demonstrate the dispositions to be ongoing learners, committed to the sector and to their own personal and professional development. They are curious, creative and courageous beginning teachers. They are reflective, adaptive and work
ready.
6. Sustainable Teachers - focussing on meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of the future. They are conscious of sustaining the environmentas well as their own well-being and that of others.
7. Values-based Teachers - live and demonstrate the values of Toi Ohomai (manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, toitutanga and kotahitanga) in all their interactions with others.

Students may move onto further learning in post graduate studies at levels 8 and 9

Entry to the Te Tohu Paetahi Whakaako Kōhungahunga: Bachelor of Teaching Early Childhood Education programme, including English language and academic requirements, will be in accordance with the criteria specified in the Toi Ohomai Regulatory Framework, and any additional criteria specified below.

Detailed Requirements
* Candidates are required to have University Entrance (UE) or provide evidence of skills and ability to study at a tertiary level.
* International candidates must have the equivalent to UE as approved by the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand.
* Candidates will be required to pass a literacy test.
* Candidates will be required to pass a numeracy test