This Graduate Diploma of Education (EC) aims to prepare wise professionals who are gracious (hūmarie), secure (takuhe), and teachable (whai te ako), and whose engagement in the early childhood sector is relational (whanaungatanga), responsive (manaakitanga), and transformative (whakamana). Graduates will develop deep understanding of Te Whāriki, the Teaching Council's Code and Standards, and the diverse cultural and professional contexts of early childhood in Aotearoa New Zealand, enabling them to contribute with integrity (pono), compassion, and competence.
Specifically, the programme aims to:
* Develop professionals who foster inclusive, respectful relationships grounded in integrity (Pono) and care (Manaakitanga).
* Support holistic, and culturally responsive engagement with children, whānau, and communities, aligned with Te Whāriki.
* Prepare graduates to uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi and to understand and honour Māori perspectives of across early childhood education.
* Foster reflective, teachable professionals committed to growth, inquiry, and ethical practice.
* Support secure, collaborative professionals (Whanaungatanga) who lead with humility and serve others.
* Enable participants to integrate Christian faith with professional values and actions, modelling compassion, justice, and hope.
* Enable culturally competent responses to diverse learners, promoting equity and belonging.
* Create pathways for career changers, leaders, international professionals and others seeking to contribute to the early childhood sector

Ngā Āhuatanga - Ways of Being (Great Hearts)
Graduates will:
* Embody Christian character, including humility, faith, and integrity (pono) in all relationships.
* Uphold the mana and dignity of all children by fostering 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 deepen their understanding of curriculum, culture and identity.
* Apply the holistic (kotahitanga) and spiritual (wairua) dimensions of child development to guide educational thinking.
* Engage in critical reflection and professional inquiry to continuously grow in competence and character.

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

Graduates of this programme will be able to pathway into postgraduate studies in education or professional practice.

The screening and interview process for the Graduate Diploma in Education (EC) will determine whether the candidate meets requirements in relation to good character. As part of this process, candidates must also provide consent for BTI to request a copy of their Police Vetting Clearance. In addition, all applicants are required to complete pre-entry competency assessments in numeracy, reading comprehension, and written language to ensure foundational academic readiness for the programme.
Entry into the Graduate Diploma in Education (EC) 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).
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 in Education (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.