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Early Childhood Education (ECE) unit standards
Current review
Consultation open until 29 October 2021
NZQA National Qualifications Services (NQS) and the Toitū te Waiora - Community, Health, Education and Social Services Workforce Development Council (CHESS WDC) are consulting on the reviewed suite of Early Childhood Education (ECE) unit standards, and invite you to consider the proposed changes and provide feedback by Friday 29 October 2021.
The review is of the following thirty-four (34) current ECE unit standards, linked to the reviewed ECE qualifications at Levels 2-4 which were reviewed 2020-2021:
| Subfield | Domain | ID |
|
Early Childhood Education and Care |
Early Childhood: Educational Theory and Practice |
10013, 10019, 10026, 26707, 26708, 29852-29858, 29860, 29863-29866, 29872-29875, 29877, 29881 |
|
Early Childhood: Family, Whānau, Community and Society |
29859, 29861, 29867, 29870, 29871, 29876 | |
|
Early Childhood: Professional Practice |
29868, 29869, 29878-29880 |
All 34 current ECE standards have been reviewed, with nine new standards developed to fill gaps and/or merge or modify existing standards. Please consider the consultation document (DOCX, 158KB) which provides further information on the review and proposed changes, and the draft unit standards are available in the drop-down menu below.
The key changes proposed include:
- Changes to twenty-eight unit standards, the development of nine new unit standards, and the expiry of six unit standards (all with replacement relationships).
- Technical: Guidance information, outcomes, and performance criteria were updated to reflect terminology used in the current template, to better align the standards with the reviewed qualifications, to update legislation and reference links, and to ensure they remain relevant and to reflect current practice.
- Twenty-one standards had titles changed to better align with and reflect the intent of the reviewed qualifications and current practice.
- Eight standards had credits increased and two standards had credits reduced to better reflect complexity of current knowledge and skill requirements and practice, and to align with the reviewed qualifications.
- Six standards are proposed to be designated expiring with replacement standards developed (Category C review). The intent is to expire replaced standards on 31 December 2024.
- Nine new standards were developed as a result of combining and replacing existing standards and to better reflect the graduate outcomes of the reviewed Level 2-4 qualifications and current practice. The new standards do not yet have an ID# so are referred to as follows in the interim:
- Level 2 (5 new) - L2 GPO1a pregnancy, L2 GPO1b brain dev, L2 GPO1c language, L2 GPO2a care & needs, L2 GPO2b nutrition ex 29852, 29854, 29856;
- Level 3 (4 new) - L3 GPO1 ex 29863, L3 GPO3 and L3 GPO3&5 ex 29867, L3 GPO6 ex 29870.
- The intent from the ECE qualifications general conditions of threading te reo Māori and tikanga Māori learning throughout, has been applied with specific changes in the suite of ECE standards, including embedding the requirements of the relevant graduate profile outcome in the standards.
- Level 2 standards: Five new Level 2 standards developed and current standards reviewed to align with the change from a 40 to 60 credit qualification [Ref: 4338].
- Level 3 standards: A simulated environment is now acceptable for Level 3, and standards have been changed from ‘in an ECE service’ to ‘in an early childhood setting’. Four new standards developed. The proposed 10013 v7 may be a reviewed or new replacement standard.
- The table below summarises the 34 reviewed, 9 new, and 6 expiring ECE unit standards by domain, with new standards shown in bold, expiring standards are in italic.
| 34 reviewed and nine new standards – six expiring | ||
| Subfield | Domain | ID |
| Early Childhood Education and Care | Early Childhood: Educational Theory and Practice (27- 4) | 10013, 10019, 10026, 26707, 26708, 29852, 29853, 29854, 29855, 29856, 29857, 29858, 29860, 29863, 29864-29866, 29872-29875, 29877, 29881, L2 GPO1b Brain dev, L2 GPO2a Care & Needs, L2 GPO2b Nutrition, L3 GPO1 ex 29863 |
| Early Childhood: Family, Whānau, Community and Society (11 - 2) | 29859, 29861, 29867, 29870, 29871, 29876, L2 GPO1a Pregnancy, L2 GPO1c Language, L3 GPO3a ex 29867, L3 GPO3&5 ex 29867, L3 GPO6 ex 29870 | |
| Early Childhood: Professional Practice (5) | 29868, 29869, 29878-29880 | |
The summary of proposed changes to ECE unit standards (DOCX, 29KB) table includes the detailed list of the 43 new (9) and reviewed (34) unit standards, the six standards proposed to expire with replacement relationships, and a brief comment on key changes to each standard. The proposed draft reviewed and new standards are available from the section below.
- Draft Landscape: The Draft Landscape of unit standards aligned to the Level 2-4 ECE qualifications (PDF, 609KB) has been updated to reflect the changes made during the review. It shows the graduate profile outcomes from the qualifications and potential alignment of unit standards to the:
Some standards may contribute to more than one qualification outcome, and/or to more than one qualification. The qualifications are available at https://www.nzqa.govt.nz/qualifications-standards/qualifications/early-childhood-education-qualifications/.
Draft reviewed unit standards 2021
The following tables have links to the proposed reviewed and new unit standards by level, with changes to title or credits shown in bold, and a brief comment regarding key changes.
Please note that these draft versions of the standards are for consultation purposes only. No assessment can occur against these standards until the finalised versions are approved and published.
Level 2 standards – draft
|
ID |
Title |
Level |
Credit |
Review Category |
|
Demonstrate knowledge of health issues, practices and services to protect and enhance the wellbeing of young children |
2 |
3 |
B - Changed title, increased credits, adjusted content |
|
|
Describe attachment behaviours and strategies used to support transitions for young mokopuna/children |
2 |
3 |
B Changed title and content |
|
|
Describe patterns of development and learning for young mokopuna/children |
2 |
5 |
B - Changed title and content, and created a new separate standard with a language focus. |
|
|
Provide and reflect on the value of play experiences for a mokopuna/child's development and learning |
2 |
5 |
B – Changed title, Māori play experiences added to the range |
|
|
Describe values and beliefs that inform a personal approach to the learning and care of young mokopuna/children |
2 |
4 |
B – changed title, increased credits, new 1.2 re te ao Māori view of parenting; changed PCs for outcome 2 |
|
|
Describe strategies and practices that develop positive relationships, social and emotional competence in young children |
2 |
6 |
B – changed title, removal of ECE setting, new 1.2 re adding te ao Māori concepts |
|
|
Identify and describe agencies/services available to support young mokopuna/children and hanau/families |
2 |
3 |
B – changed title and some content, - added whānau ora to agencies, mokopuna |
|
|
Describe factors that contribute to the health and holistic wellbeing of the kukune/foetus during haputanga/pregnancy |
2 |
5 |
NEW - re GPO1 and part GPO6. |
|
|
Describe factors that influence a mokopuna/child’s brain development and lifelong learning |
2 |
5 |
NEW - re GPO1 and part GPO6. |
|
|
Describe language rich environments across the early years within a responsive environment |
2 |
3 |
NEW re GPO1 and part GPO6 |
|
|
Describe and demonstrate basic care needs and practices for young mokopuna/children |
2 |
5 |
NEW – replace 29852, 29854, 29856 |
|
|
Demonstrate knowledge of age-related food and nutrition relevant to healthy eating for young mokopuna/children |
2 |
3 |
NEW – replace 29852, 29854, 29856 |
Level 3 standards – draft
|
ID |
Title |
Level |
Credit |
Review Category & key changes |
|
Describe Te Whāriki: He whāriki mātauranga mō ngā mokopuna o Aotearoa Early Childhood Curriculum |
3 |
2 |
B or C new? Changed title and increased credits, significant change re updated curriculum |
|
|
Describe and contribute to safe practices and a safe environment for mokopuna/children in an early childhood setting |
3 |
3 |
B – changed title, increased credits |
|
|
Demonstrate knowledge of mokopuna/children's holistic development and learning in an early childhood setting |
3 |
5 |
B – changed title, increased credits; strengthened languages focus + te reo |
|
|
Describe the value of play and create resources for children's learning and development in an early childhood setting |
3 |
4 |
B – changed title, threads range of te reo Māori play experiences |
|
|
Describe respectful, reciprocal and responsive relationships with mokopuna/children in an early childhood setting |
3 |
4 |
B – changed title, threads te ao Māori concepts, new outcomes 2 & 3 and PC 1.2 |
|
|
Develop skills to observe and analyse learning and development of a mokopuna/child in an early childhood setting |
3 |
5 |
NEW – observation focus, removes planning; replaces 29863 |
|
|
Demonstrate knowledge of attachment theories, behaviours and transition support in an early childhood setting |
3 |
3 |
B – changed title, increased credits, adds First 1,000 days, threads te ao Māori concepts new 2.4 |
|
|
Describe and reflect on practices to protect and promote the health and holistic wellbeing of young mokopuna/children |
3 |
4 |
B – changed title, minor, changed essential to basic needs; added immunisation |
|
|
Demonstrate knowledge of, apply and reflect on age-related nutrition needs for a child in an early childhood setting |
3 |
2 |
B – changed title, increased credits, updated to Healthy Food & Drink guidance for ELS |
|
|
Demonstrate knowledge of whānau/families and cultural diversity strategies in an early childhood setting Communicate and support the use of languages to develop and maintain relationships in an early childhood setting |
3 |
3 |
NEW – diversity (outcomes 1 & 2 ex 29867) Both replace 29867 |
|
|
Describe professional behaviours and manage personal health and wellbeing in an early childhood setting |
3 |
4 |
B – changed title, decreased credits, focus changed from ‘do’ to ‘know’ (describe) |
|
|
Demonstrate knowledge of ethical responsibility to guide practice in an early childhood setting |
3 |
3 |
B – changed title, change to Our Code our Standards |
|
|
Demonstrate knowledge of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, legislation, services and support relevant to an early childhood setting |
3 |
4 |
NEW – changed focus outcomes 2&3 to relevance to an ECE service – legislation, regulations, support. replace 29870 |
|
|
Describe and compare a range of ECE services and philosophies in Aotearoa New Zealand |
3 |
3 |
B – moved range to definitions |
Level 4 standards – draft
|
ID |
Title |
Level |
Credit |
Review Category & key changes |
|
Demonstrate knowledge of how theories of children's holistic development and learning influence practice in an ECE service |
4 |
5 |
B – changed title, holistic D&L, threads Māori & Pasifika approaches, First 1000 days |
|
|
Demonstrate knowledge of Te Whāriki to inform ECE practice |
4 |
5 |
B – changed title, removed PC1.3 UNCRC, 1.4 re te tiriti |
|
|
Plan, implement and review enriching and culturally responsive learning experiences for a child in an ECE service |
4 |
5 |
B – changed title, added culturally responsive and changed evaluate to review (re qual GPO2) |
|
|
Provide a safe environment to protect and support the holistic wellbeing and care of mokopuna/children in an ECE Service |
4 |
7 5 |
B – changed title, decreased credits, significant change new outcome 1 & 2; changed from ‘contribute to’ to ‘provide’ (qual GPO3) |
|
|
Use culturally responsive strategies to build relationships and communicate effectively in an ECE community |
4 |
5 |
B – PC1.2 added environments, te reo Maori, tikanga |
|
|
Use and evaluate strategies to engage in relationships and support children's social competence in an ECE community |
4 |
5 |
B – threads te ao Māori concepts, new 1.3, social and emotional competence |
|
|
Manage own health, wellbeing and personal and professional development as an educator in an ECE service |
4 |
3 |
B – increased credits; holistic and culturally inclusive models |
|
|
Describe societal influences, practices and legislative requirements that support child protection in an ECE service |
4 |
4 |
B – PC1.1 changed from ‘last 100 years’ to ‘since pre-colonial times’ |
|
|
Describe the roles and responsibilities, administration and reporting requirements, and funding for an ECE service |
4 |
4 |
B – outcome 1 range home-based roles added; option for qual (not required) |
|
|
Demonstrate understanding of diverse philosophical and cultural ECE contexts to inform own ECE practice in New Zealand |
4 |
4 |
B – increased credits; strengthened history, underpinning beliefs; inclusive education practices; updated curriculum, Code |
Feedback
Feedback is welcome on any aspect of the reviewed standards or any standard(s) you have a particular interest in. We are particularly keen to get stakeholder feedback on any/all of the proposed changes outlined in the consultation document and summarised above.
You may choose to respond to the survey online or by completing the survey document (DOCX, 28KB). Alternatively, you can provide general feedback or comments on any specific standard/s or matter related to the review to ece.review@nzqa.govt.nz by Friday 29 October 2021.
The feedback received will be passed directly onto the Toitū te Waiora - Community, Health, Education and Social Services Workforce Development Council (CHESS WDC) to consider and further refine the standards to ensure that they meet the needs of the sector before being submitted for quality assurance.
Thank you in advance for your contribution to the review and ongoing quality of these standards.
Background
The review panel convened several times between June and September 2021 to:
- examine the current standards and to decide whether/how they need to be amended so that they continue to align to the reviewed Level 2-4 ECE qualifications and meet identified needs;
- where relevant, develop other new standards if needed.
Resources and links
- Consultation document October 2021 – Review of ECE unit standards (DOCX, 158KB)
- Summary of proposed changes to ECE Unit standards table – Sept 2021 (DOCX, 29KB)
- Survey and feedback form – Consultation Oct 2021 (DOCX, 28KB) (or complete online)
- Draft Landscape of ECE unit standards aligned to reviewed qualifications at Levels 2-4 – September 2021 (PDF, 609KB)
- Search for current ECE unit standards
- Search for expiring PIECE unit standards (or search the change reports in the completed reviews section below)
- Landscape of ECE unit standards mapped to NZ qualifications at Levels 2-4 (DOCX, 48KB) which provides details of ECE standards' titles and credits, by level
- ECE Assessment support materials
- Find New Zealand ECE qualifications Levels 2-6 - (pathways map) (PDF, 352KB)
- Search Consent and moderation requirements (CMRs) here – for ECE see CMR135
Completed reviews
All level 5 and 6 ECE unit standards and PIECE unit standards have expired or are expiring by 31 December 2021.
2019 - ECE & PIECE standards for expiry
Details are available in the June 2019 Review of ECE and PIECE unit standards change report.
NZQA National Qualifications Services (NQS) reviewed the 15 Level 5 and 6 Early Childhood Education (ECE) unit standards and 38 Level 3-7 Pacific Islands Early Childhood Education (PIECE) unit standards, which in June 2019 were approved for expiry. The last date for assessment to take place is 31 December 2021.
2017 – Development and review of ECE standards (for NZ ECE qualifications)
Details are available in the April 2017 Review Summary change report.
The suite of 29 new and five reviewed Early Childhood unit standards developed for use as assessment tools for New Zealand Early Childhood qualifications at Levels 2-4 were published in April 2017. The new ECE standards in subfield Early Childhood Education and Care are numbered from 29852 – 29881.
2017 – PIECE standards for expiry
Details are available in the November 2017 Review of Pacific Islands Early Childhood Education unit standards change report.
NZQA National Qualifications Services (NQS) reviewed 21 Pacific Islands Early Childhood Education (PIECE) unit standards in 2017. Further to consultation feedback, NQS expired 21 Level 5 and 6 Pacific Islands Early Childhood Education (PIECE) unit standards. The last date for assessment to take place was 31 December 2019.
2015 – ECE and PIECE standards revision and rollover
Details are available in the August 2015 Revision and rollover of 37 ECE and 38 PIECE unit standards change report.
Contact
For more information and/or comments regarding these unit standards, please email: nqs@nzqa.govt.nz.