Qualification Overview
Qualification Title | New Zealand Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 4) | ||
Qualification Type | Certificate | ||
Level | 4 | ||
Credits | 60 | ||
Subject Area |
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Strategic Purpose Statement |
The purpose of this qualification is to provide Aotearoa New Zealand with people who can provide practice-based education and care in a specific early childhood context. This is the minimum qualification requirement for licensed home-based educators, and further details can be accessed from the Ministry of Education at: www.education.govt.nz/early-childhood/funding-and-data/transition-to-a-qualified-home-based-workforce/#sh-home-based%20qualification
This qualification is intended for people who intend to work as early childhood educators, particularly in the home-based sector, or proceed to further study. Graduates will enhance family, whānau and community outcomes and will support mokopuna - infants, toddlers and young children. Graduates will be able to operate independently and self-manage, taking some responsibility for the performance of others. The early childhood education (ECE) setting and associated regulatory framework and criteria will determine the level of supervision under which graduates will operate when employed. For example, home-based regular sole charge practitioners would be under general supervision, while parent-led session leaders would provide guidance and supervision of others. |
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Graduate profile |
Graduates of this qualification will be able to:
- Guide the holistic development and learning of children through the application of key early childhood theories and approaches. - Promote children's learning through observing, planning, implementing and reviewing culturally responsive learning experiences (including play-based experiences) for mokopuna - infants, toddlers, and young children, using knowledge of the child in the context of their whanau, Te Whāriki and supporting documents. - Provide an environment guided by community and government services, legislation and regulatory requirements, to protect and support the holistic well-being, safety, health, nutrition and care of infants, toddlers, young children/ mokopuna and their whānau/ families. - Communicate effectively and use strategies to promote cultural, social and emotional competencies, and engage in respectful, reciprocal, and responsive relationships within an early childhood education and care community. - Reflect on personal and professional development, and implement strategies that manage own health, wellbeing (including resilience) and professionalism in an early childhood setting. - Implement culturally responsive and inclusive ECE practice underpinned by Te Tiriti o Waitangi/The Treaty of Waitangi, Ka Hikitia and Tau Mai Te Reo, through the use of te reo and tikanga Māori with mokopuna/children and whanau/families in early childhood settings. - Apply knowledge of the diverse philosophical and cultural contexts and approaches informing early childhood education in Aotearoa New Zealand to develop a personal philosophy of practice. |
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Education pathways |
This qualification provides an education pathway from the New Zealand Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Introductory Skills) (Level 3) [Ref: 2849].
This qualification leads to the New Zealand Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 5) [Ref: 2851] and may enable graduates to commence an initial teacher education (ECE) qualification under specified criteria. Graduates with Level 3 proficiency in te reo Māori may go on to study Te Tipuranga o te Mokopuna (Kaupae 5) [Ref: 2857] - New Zealand Diploma in a Maori World View of Early Learning (Level 5). |
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Employment pathways | |||
Entry Requirements |
Regulatory
This is the minimum qualification requirement for licensed home-based educators, and the person responsible in Playcentres. Programmes leading to this qualification must reflect quality practice and maintain currency with amendments to, and replacements of, relevant legislation, regulations, Australia/New Zealand standards (AS/NZS), and security responsibilities including cyber safety (particularly related to young children). - Current legislation and regulations can be accessed at www.legislation.govt.nz - Current AS/NZS standards can be accessed at www.standards.co.nz - Current regulatory framework and licensing criteria for ECE can be accessed from the Ministry of Education at www.education.govt.nz/early-childhood/ - Information on the Children's Act 2014, safety checking regulations and guidelines can be accessed from www.orangatamariki.govt.nz/working-with-children/childrens-act-requirements/. Completion of a comprehensive First Aid course is recommended, as it may be a requirement for licensing for some types of ECE service e.g. home-based. Relevant supporting resources: - Action Plan for Pacific Education 2020-2030 available at www.education.govt.nz/our-work/overall-strategies-and-policies/action-plan-for-pacific-education-2020-2030/ - Early Learning Action Plan (ELAP) - Ka Hikitia and Tau Mai Te Reo - Kei Tua o te Pae - Assessment for learning - Early Childhood- available at www.education.govt.nz/early-childhood/teaching-and-learning/assessment-for-learning/kei-tua-o-te-pae-2/ - Tapasā - Cultural competencies framework for teachers of Pacific learners- available at https://teachingcouncil.nz/resource-centre/tapasa/ - Tātaiako - Cultural competencies framework for teachers of Māori learners- available at https://teachingcouncil.nz/resource-centre/tataiako-cultural-competencies-for-teachers-of-maori-learners/ - Te Kete Ipurangi (TKI) - Te Whāriki online resources, which can be accessed at tewhariki.tki.org.nz/ including He Māpuna te Tamaiti - supporting Social and Emotional Competence in Early Learning; Talking together, Te kōrerorero - Te Whare Tapa Whā - available at www.health.govt.nz/our-work/populations/maori-health/maori-health-models/maori-health-models-te-whare-tapa-wha - Te whatu pōkeka - available at www.education.govt.nz/early-childhood/teaching-and-learning/assessment-for-learning/te-whatu-pokeka-english/ - Teaching Council Our Code Our Standards- available at https://teachingcouncil.nz/professional-practice/our-code-our-standards/ - The New Zealand Curriculum- available at https://nzcurriculum.tki.org.nz/The-New-Zealand-Curriculum |
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Education Organisation | 19 Organisations can assist in gaining this qualification | ||
Developed By | Toitu te Waiora Community, Health, Education and Social Services Workforce Development Council | ||
Quality Assured By | New Zealand Qualifications Authority | ||
Number | 2850 | ||
Status | Current | ||
Created | February 2016 | ||
Next Review | April 2026 | ||
Content | View full qualification details |
Qualification Title
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