The Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) will enable learners to apply knowledge and capabilities as professional teachers in Early Childhood Education. Learners will embody and demonstrate the NZ Teaching Council standards of Te Tiriti partnership, professional learning, professional relationships, design for learning, learning-focused culture, and teaching. The qualification will develop culturally-responsive, work-ready teachers for tamariki, whānau and the wider community in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Students graduating from the Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) programme will demonstrate the ability to: 1. Engage in Tiriti-based practice and teaching partnerships grounded in te reo Māori and mātauranga Māori honouring the unique status of Māori as tangata whenua. 2. Be critically reflective thinkers whose personal philosophy is theory informed, research-based, and knowledgeable in digital literacies. 3. Advocate to address current social and political issues impacting wellbeing in early childhood communities. 4. Articulate and embody professional practice grounded in ongoing, self reflective learning that is ethical, resilient, enquiring, and committed to collaboration with tamariki, whānau and communities. 5. Teach informed by a contextually-appropriate repertoire of strategies, approaches, assessment, and planning, in ways that empower te mana, te mauri, te wairua o te tamaiti. 6. Lead with socially and culturally located praxis, building whanaungatanga for a sustainable world.

Graduates from this programme will be able to apply for postgraduate, including Masters level study in Education at institutions offering such programmes. Unitec does not offer relevant postgraduate study.

Applicants for the BTEC must meet the general OR special OR discretionary admission requirements. All applicants must also meet programme specific requirements, including the English Language entry requirements set by the Teaching Council | Matatū Aotearoa.
General Admission:
To be admitted to this programme all applicants must be at least 17 years of age and have completed University Entrance or an international equivalent including: three subjects at NCEA Level 3 made up of 14 credits each in three approved subjects, 10 literacy creates at Level 2 or above made up of 5 credits in reading and 5 credits in writing, and 10 numeracy credits at Level 1 or above.
Special Admission:
Applicants must be 20 years or over, from the first day of the first semester of study, and able to provide sufficient evidence of ability to achieve a successful outcome in the qualification.
Discretionary Admission:
Applicants not meeting general admission requirements and under the age of 20 will be required to attend the interview described in the programme specific requirements and to undertake a Unitec Skills Review and Placement test in literacy and numeracy to confirm academic ability.
Programme Specific requirements:
All applicants must complete a self-disclosure of medical conditions an that may impact study and outcomes, pass a group interview process assessing communication skills, numeracy and literacy, consent to undergo a process of safety checking as set out in the Children's Regulations 2015 including a Police vetting process in accordance with the Vulnerable Children's Act 2014, and be prepared to volunteer or work in a licensed early childhood centre for a minimum of twelve hours per week and complete block placements (up to four weeks per semester) for the duration of study.
English Language Admission requirements:
Prior to entry, candidates must demonstrate English language competency by providing proof that satisfies the expectations of the Teaching Council | Matatū Aotearoa. See the information on the Unitec BTEC webpage and follow the link to the Programme Regulations.