Bachelor of Education (Teaching) Early Childhood

If you want to develop a love of learning and discovery in young children and be part of laying the foundations for their success, then this is the right degree for you.

Discover early childhood education

This three-year [undergraduate] degree will give you the skills to provide quality education and care to New Zealand’s young children.

You’ll learn the art of being flexible, adaptable, and resourceful—able to work not only with young children, but also with a wide variety of adults in the community. At Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, we support culturally responsive and inclusive teaching.

Discover the importance of wellbeing and explore the concept of play as a valuable approach to learning. Gain the skills to create healthy, safe learning environments for children and their caregivers and whānau.

Your degree will focus on four areas—curriculum, culture, professionalism, and practical teaching experience.

The BEd(Tchg)EC is designed to prepare you for an exciting and stimulating career as an early childhood teacher. Successful completion means you’ll be eligible for teacher registration and provisional certification with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Graduate with the tools and knowledge you need to work in early childhood education services like kindergartens, childcare centres, and Pacific Island language nests.

Globally ranked

This programme is ranked in the top 250 worldwide in the QS World University Rankings 2026.

The QS World University Rankings is an annual global publication that gives overall rankings and subject rankings for more than 1,500 universities worldwide.

Centre-based and campus-based options

You can choose to complete the BEd(Tchg)EC programme either as a centre-based student or as a campus-based student.

Campus-based option

• You’ll study on campus for two days in classes each week and have full-time blocks of professional practice placements in early childhood centres each year. In first year a five-week block in Trimester 1. In second year a five-week block in Trimester 1, and a six-week block in Trimester 2. In third year a six-week block in Trimester 2.
• Across your degree, you’ll complete 24 weeks professional practice placements in a range of early childhood centres.

Centre-based option

• You’ll be at university for classes on two days each week.
• You’ll complete two block professional practice placements outside of your home centre—a five-week placement in year one and another four-week placement in year two, Trimester 2. There will be two block placements—one in your first year and one in your third year in your home centre
• You’ll complete two block professional practice placements—a five-week placement in year one and another four-week placement in your second year.
• Your home centre must be fully licensed and there must be a qualified and fully certificated teacher able to act as your associate teacher.
• The University will sign an agreement with you and your centre (and umbrella organisation, where applicable) each year.

Students will be able to transfer between the centre-based and campus-based options at specific times each year, at the beginning of Trimester 1 and Trimester 2, giving you the flexibility to choose the study option that works best for you.

Scholarships for international students

We are currently offering a NZ$15,000 VUW Undergraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Bachelor’s degree. Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.

First year

In your first year you'll take seven courses in a range of subjects that will give you a solid foundation in the practices and principles behind quality early childhood education, including a focus on creativity and learning te reo Māori.

You'll study the theories behind the way children learn and get an introduction to teaching practices in New Zealand. You'll also discover the history and philosophies of early childhood education and care around the world.

Gain an understanding of Te Whāriki—the Ministry of Education's early childhood education curriculum framework—and examine Te Tiriti o Waitangi and tikanga Māori in relation to teaching in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Second and third years

In your second year you'll go deeper into how young children develop—including learning about the different ways to connect with them, facilitating their development. Look at how to use the curriculum to support children's wellbeing and learning. Examine differing teaching models and the debates surrounding them.

You'll learn about working with infants and toddlers, with diverse and inclusive communities, and you'll explore different ways to be creative and expressive.

In your third year you get more involved in the profession. You'll learn your professional responsibilities and the demands of teaching in New Zealand. You will gain the skills to enquire into and think critically about your practice and what it is to be an advocate for children and families. You'll continue to develop creative skills and dispositions.

By the end of your degree, you'll be eligible for teacher registration and provisional certification with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand. You'll have the confidence to manage and monitor the learning and development of children. You'll know the curriculum and how to develop skills and knowledge in each strand of the curriculum.

2027 dates

The BEd(Tchg)EC follows the University's standard trimester dates. There is compulsory campus attendance at:

• Ngā Mihi for first-year students: Monday 15 February–Tuesday 16 February 2027
• Wānanga for third-year students: Monday 29 November–Thursday 2 December 2027.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi and te reo Māori

New Zealand teachers live the values of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and use te reo Māori. During your studies you’ll strengthen your knowledge and practice of Te Tiriti o Waitangi partnership and use te reo Māori in everyday and teaching situations.

Professional practice placements

As a campus-based student, you will complete five blocks of full-time professional practice placements over the course of your degree. These are made up of a one-week and a four-week block in your first year, a five-week and a six-week block in your second year and a six-week block in your third year.

As a centre-based student you will spend 15 hours each week in your home centre and complete two four-week block professional practice placements—one in year one and the other in year two.

Professional practice placements give you the opportunity to attend a range of different services, including kindergartens, Pacific Island language nests, and early childhood centres, working with children from infants to school age.

Successful completion of professional practice placements is a mandatory requirement of some courses.

The Education Professional Practice and Partnerships Office will find placements for you, so you shouldn't approach any early childhood centre to set up a professional practice placement on your own.

If you are working in an early childhood centre that is fully licensed and has a registered and fully certificated teacher able to be your associate teacher, you can enter through the centre-based option and complete most of your professional practice requirements in your home centre.

Improve your writing

Clear writing is vital to your success at university and at work. It helps you understand your subject, organise your thoughts, and communicate your message. If you want to improve your writing, consider the Writing (Academic and Professional) course.