New Zealand Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 4)
If you meet the entry requirements, you can enter directly into Level 4, without needing to complete Level 3. This Level 4 programme includes 115 hours of work placements. You'll learn how to be an inclusive educator, promoting diversity and the place of Māori as tangata whenua. This programme can also act as a pathway into higher level learning, leading to a teaching qualification.
Domestic
About the programme
Educators are always in demand and teaching skills are highly transferable.
Working with children is a rewarding, fun and diverse career and this certificate will prepare you for employment in the early childhood sector.
This Level 4 programme includes 115 hours of work placements in various early childhood settings. You'll learn how to practice as an inclusive educator, promoting diversity and the place of Māori as tangata whenua.
Career opportunities include a Childcare Support Worker, Childcare Worker, Home-based Carer or Nanny. This programme can also act as a pathway into higher level learning, leading to a teaching qualification to widen your employment options.
International
About the programme
Educators are always in demand and teaching skills are highly transferable.
Working with children is a rewarding, fun and diverse career and this certificate will prepare you for employment in the early childhood sector.
This Level 4 programme includes 115 hours of work placements in various early childhood settings. You'll learn how to practice as an inclusive educator, promoting diversity and the place of Māori as tangata whenua.
Career opportunities include a Childcare Support Worker, Childcare Worker, Home-based Carer or Nanny. This programme can also act as a pathway into higher level learning, leading to a teaching qualification to widen your employment options.
What You Study
Courses and work placements
You will undertake 115 hours of work placements in various early childhood settings.
Courses
1. Sociocultural Theories and Practices
Explore the theories and philosophies relevant to the Early Childhood Education context.
2. The Effective Educator
Examine your personal philosophy of practice; use strategies to manage health, wellbeing, and professionalism.
3. Bicultural and Inclusive Practice
Learn how to practice as an inclusive educator, promoting diversity and the place of Māori as tangata whenua.
4. The ECE Profession
Engage effectively with stakeholders within the early childhood education context to protect and support the wellbeing of children and families.
Further study options
Graduates could choose to do further study towards the New Zealand Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 5) or proceed to commence a Level 7 teacher education (ECE) qualification. Otago Polytechnic currently doesn't offer either of these qualifications but if you wish to speak with someone about further learning opportunities, please email our career support team careers@op.ac.nz
Entry
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
- 40 credits at NCEA Level 2 including 10 Level 2 literacy credits and 10 Level 2 numeracy credits OR the New Zealand Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 3) OR equivalent.
Special entry
- In exceptional circumstances, an applicant under the age of 20 who does not meet the academic entry requirements may be granted entry to the programme where they supply evidence of their ability to succeed on the programme.
Other requirements
- Learners must be at least 17 years old.
- For all applicants, an interview will be held prior to acceptance to assess your suitability for working with children in the community and to ensure Otago Polytechnic meets the legislative requirements of the Children's Act 2014. In accordance with this Act, you will be required to:
- complete a New Zealand Police consent to Disclosure of Information form
- supply the contact details of two referees who are willing to give a confidential report. Referees must be over 16 and cannot be related to you, be a partner/spouse/friend or live at the same address as you.
- attend an informal interview to discuss your suitability for working with children in the community.
Please note: All applicants with any convictions may be declined entry depending on the severity, recency, age at offending and pattern of offending.
English Language requirements
- If English is not your first language, you must provide:
- New Zealand University Entrance OR
- Overall Academic IELTS 5.5 with no individual band score lower than 5.5 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years), OR
- Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for NZQA proficiency table and here for list of recognised proficiency tests).
If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.
Fees
Domestic fees
International fees
Tuition fees
The tuition fees shown above are approximate only. There may be a slight fee increase per year once Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) rules and guidelines are applied.
Studylink
Domestic full-time students can apply for a student loan through Studylink.
Some support may be available for domestic part-time students.
Apply at the same time as you apply for your course (you can withdraw your application anytime).
Student Services Fee
For most students, your tuition fee shown above includes a Student Services Fee – also known as the Student Levy. This compulsory fee covers your access to the student services we offer. This cost is tailored depending on how you're studying.
The international tuition fee does not include your Student Levy. This will be calculated when you enrol with us.
Click below to find out more about the Student Levy costs and services provided.
Fees Free for domestic learners
If this is your first time doing tertiary study, or your first tertiary study was covered by the Targeted Training and Apprenticeship (TTAF) initiative, you may be able to get up to $12,000 of your fees covered for one year’s study or two years’ training.
All the details and criteria are on the Fees Free website and you can check whether you’re going to be able to access Fees Free by entering your National Student Number.
If you can access it, we’ll organise your fees with the Tertiary Education Commission when you’re enrolled to study with us. This funding doesn’t include additional costs or living costs.
A change for 2023 enrolments
When you apply to study with Otago Polytechnic in 2023, you will be enrolled with Te Pūkenga, the new national network of vocational and applied education in Aotearoa New Zealand. You will learn in the same way, in the same place, and with the same people.
This enables us to share skills and knowledge across a network of passionate education providers to better help you succeed. Enrolling in programmes that start in 2023 means you will graduate with a Te Pūkenga qualification.
We are part of Te Pūkenga
When you apply to study with Otago Polytechnic, you will be enrolled with Te Pūkenga, the new national network of vocational and applied education in Aotearoa New Zealand. You will learn in the same way, in the same place, and with the same people, and you will graduate with a Te Pūkenga qualification.
Disclaimer
While every effort is made to ensure that this sheet is accurate, Otago Polytechnic reserves the right to amend, alter or withdraw any of the contained information. The fees shown in this document are indicative only. Both domestic and international fees are subject to change and are dependent on the development and implementation of Government policies. Please note that additional fees may from time to time be required for external examination, NZQA fees and/or additional material fees.
