New Zealand Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care

The purpose of this qualification is to provide Aotearoa New Zealand with proficient educators who, in a range of early childhood contexts, can provide and/or support the education and care of infants, toddlers, and young children. It is also intended to enhance community outcomes.

Graduates may provide supervision and/or guidance of volunteers or other staff, depending on the early childhood setting and associated regulatory framework and criteria.

This qualification does not lead to teacher registration, but it may provide opportunities for graduates, under specified criteria, to progress to a Level 7 ECE initial teacher education qualification.

Academic There are no mandatory prerequisites to meet regulatory body or legislative requirements for this qualification.

Safety checks Completion of this qualification requires practical experience within an early childhood setting. These placements will require the candidate to pass a safety check consistent with the requirements of the Vulnerable Children Act 2014.

For more information on the Vulnerable Children Act 2014, safety checking regulations and guidelines see http://childrensactionplan.govt.nz/.

Whitireia and WelTec have a history of over 100 years of vocational education delivery. We are proud stewards of our whakapapa, owning our collective histories and aspirations for the future through acknowledging people, place, culture, and values. 

Whitireia and WelTec is known for our high student success rates and culturally diverse ākonga. Every year we train over 8,000 ākonga who study at one of our campuses across Porirua and Petone. Our highly skilled staff will be with you every step of your journey, providing the best possible learning environment. We enable learners from every stage of life – school leavers, university graduates, those preparing to reenter the workforce and those wanting to retrain or upskill. Our learning environments are open and ready to welcome you all. 

More and more New Zealanders are choosing a local study pathway through dedicated vocational education providers to gain the qualifications they need to get ahead and into their dream job.  We offer a range of programmes of study at certificates, diplomas, degrees, and postgraduate qualifications. Our programmes have been developed in conjunction with industry to offer excellent vocational qualifications that are future-focused and provide ākonga with practical skills to pursue their career goals. 

We are known for our Ahureitanga (distinctiveness), and we have special relationships with Iwi mana whenua as our campuses are in their rohe: Te Āti Awa and Ngāti Toa Rangatira. Together, we are more than the sum of our parts.

Mā tātou, mō tātou ko WelTec ki Te Āti Awa, ko Whitireia ki Ngāti Toa Rangatira. E haere kōtui nei me kura-takahi-puni tātou. Together, we will lead and illuminate our communities through vocational education.