New Zealand Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 4)

Universal College of Learning (UCOL)

UCOL's New Zealand Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care will provide you with the opportunity pathway into a rewarding career caring for infants, toddlers and young children.

You'll gain skills to work in multicultural settings, and play a key role enhancing family and community relationships.

New study options available: We are offering weekend study options for this programme in Palmerston North, specifically for those in employment and the homecare early childhood education sector.

Work experience

As part of your studies you'll participate in 60 hours of practicum studies in an early childhood setting organised by UCOL.

Career & Study Outcomes

Graduates of UCOL's New Zealand Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care will be able to:

• understand key early childhood socio-cultural theories of learning and development to inform and guide the holistic development and learning of children in an early childhood setting
• use knowledge of multiculturalism, family diversity, and the bicultural nature of the New Zealand early childhood curriculum framework, Te Whariki, to plan, provide and review enriching learning experiences for infants, toddlers, and young children
• contribute to providing a culturally inclusive early childhood environment to foster the health, holistic well-being, and care of infants, toddlers, and young children
• communicate effectively and engage in respectful, reciprocal, and responsive relationships within an early childhood education and care community
• implement strategies to manage personal health, wellbeing, and professional development in an early childhood setting
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of legislation and regulatory requirements, and how community and government services impact on early childhood settings and guide practices, to protect and support the wellbeing of children and families
• understand the diverse philosophical and cultural contexts and approaches informing early childhood education in Aotearoa New Zealand to develop a personal philosophy of practice
• implement bicultural early childhood education practice and promote awareness of Maori as tangata whenua, through using te reo Maori and tikanga Maori with infants, toddlers, young children and families/whanau in early childhood settings.

Education pathway

Graduates who wish to further specialise can enrol in Bachelor of Teaching (ECE)

Employment opportunities include working in a range of early childhood education settings as educators (teachers), Kaimahi, support workers, session leaders or organisers in parent-led services or playgroups including Pasifika and Maori.

To find out more about possible job prospects and salaries, see Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's Occupation Outlook for Teachers.

Course Information

Note: As a subsidiary of Te Pukenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, UCOL is committed to providing the best learning outcome for you. As part of this, all programmes are currently being reviewed to make them portable, consistent, and closely aligned with the needs of the industry. When published, this course information is correct, but the courses offered may change over time.

This programme consist of 60 credits. The courses includes

• Learning and Development Theories (15 Credits)
• Professional and Ethical Principles and Practices (15 Credits)
• Early Childhood Practicum (15 Credits) (60 practicum hours)