The Graduate Diploma in Teaching (ECE) aims to prepare wise educators (kaiako) who are gracious (hūmarie), secure (takuhe), and teachable (whai te ako), and whose practice is relational whanaungatanga), responsive (manaakitanga), and transformative (whakamana). Graduates will be equipped to meet the Teaching Council's Code and
Standards, teach in alignment with Te Whāriki, and respond with integrity (pono) and competence to Aotearoa New Zealand's diverse early childhood contexts.

Graduates will:
* Embody Christian character, including humility, faith, and integrity (pono) in all relationships.
* Uphold the mana and dignity of all children by creating emotionally and spiritually safe, inclusive environments (manaakitanga).
* Demonstrate professional dispositions through ethical decision-making and respectful, collaborative relationships (whanaungatanga) with children, whānau, colleagues and the wider community.

Ngā Hononga - Ways of Knowing (Great Minds)
Graduates will:
* Integrate te ao Māori, Pasifika worldviews, and Christian perspectives to enrich curriculum and assessment.
* Apply knowledge and understanding of the holistic (kotahitanga) and spiritual (wairua) dimensions of child development to guide assessment, planning, and pedagogical documentation.
* Engage in critical reflection and professional inquiry to continuously grow in competence and character.

Tikanga Whakaaro - Ways of Doing (Great Practice)
Graduates will:
* Plan and facilitate learning experiences that are child-led, teacher-guided, grounded in Te Whāriki in ways that uphold and enhance the mana (whakamana) of every learner.
* Document learning through narrative assessment that makes learning visible and responds to each child's identity, language, and culture.
* Apply knowledge of current legal, regulatory, and policy frameworks to guide professional practice and ensure equitable access for all learners.

Graduates of this programme will be able to pathway into postgraduate studies in the field of education and teaching.

Entry into the Graduate Diploma in Teaching (ECE) requires either a three-year bachelor's degree or the demonstration of equivalence. Equivalence may be evidenced through a combination of successful study at NZQF Levels 4-7 in a related field, alongside a minimum of four years of relevant professional practice, confirmed by their CV and a letter of support from an early childhood centre manager or professional leader.

Applicants entering via the equivalency pathway must also demonstrate academic readiness by successfully completing BTI's Get Set programme and achieving a minimum of a C+ grade (60%) in Education in Aotearoa New Zealand, prior to formal admission into the Graduate Diploma pathway. A letter outlining the process and decision will be provided for the applicant's records.
Competency in English Language, Te Reo Māori, Literacy and Numeracy are set out in the Graduate Diploma of Teaching (ECE) Programme Regulations (2026 version currently in draft).
English Language Competence OR Te Reo Māori competency (for those entering with evidence of schooling in Māori Medium Settings)
Teaching is a linguistically challenging profession, teachers need to be able to communicate effectively with learners and their families, they also need to be able to communicate professionally with other agencies within the education sector. The Teaching Council expectations need to be met to ensure all teachers entering the profession can adequately demonstrate meeting an appropriate level of competency prior to entry- the current expectations are outlined on the Teaching Council Policy. This policy applies to all students, international and domestic and decision-making regarding competency is an evidence-based process. Applicants will be expected to provide documentary evidence as set out in the policy. If a candidate is able to provide some evidence with additional information that meets a threshold for an exemption to further testing of competency they can provide that to BTI and an application can be made on their behalf to the Teaching Council for an exemption. If this is unsuccessful or they are unable to provide adequate information, prior to entry, evidence of completion of one of the approved language tests at the prescribed level will be required. https://teachingcouncil.nz/assets/Files/Registration-and-certification/ELC_language_competency.pdf

One of the following types of evidence must be provided to demonstrate te reo Māori competency for entry:* Achieved Whakamātauria Te Reo Māori Level 3 (National Māori Language
Proficiency Examinations)
* All primary schooling and at least three years secondary schooling in te reo Māori
* Five years of secondary schooling in te reo Māori
* Other types of evidence can be provided and an application for exemption considered if aligned with Teaching Council policy.

Literacy and Numeracy Assessments
Prior to entry all candidates for both the Graduate Diploma of Teaching (ECE) and the Graduate Diploma of Education (EC) (including those who already hold NCEA literacy and numeracy or equivalent) must complete literacy and numeracy testing using an approved test. This is a requirement of the Teaching Council.
Testing of Literacy is set at UE level according to NZQA achievement standards for level 2 and include demonstration of both reading and writing capability.
Testing of Numeracy is also set at UE level and is completed using the approved test for all ITE providers as determined by Teaching Council.