National Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 3)

The National Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 3) recognises basic introductory skills and knowledge involved in the education and care of infants, toddlers, and young children that are required to go onto further study in the education and care of children or the teaching of children; infants, toddlers, and young children in Aotearoa/New Zealand. It recognises basic knowledge, skills, and attributes required for early childhood education and care services across all early childhood contexts.

Holders of the National Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 3) are able to:
. demonstrate knowledge, describe, conduct, implement, and analyse aspects of educational theory relevant to early childhood education
. demonstrate knowledge of organisations, cultural diversity, and communication within the context of ECE services in Aotearoa/New Zealand
. demonstrate knowledge of ethics in ECE services
. describe professional image and demonstrate professional behaviours required of early childhood educators.

The requirements are all compulsory as the basic principles of early childhood education and care apply across all types of services. There are no electives in the level 3 qualification as basic principles of early childhood education and care apply across different settings.

This qualification leads to the National Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 5) [Ref: 0430].

Everyone has heard of the YMCA but not many know all the things we do. Perhaps it is because we do so much! What we do know is that most people are really surprised when they learn the extent of the work done by the Y in New Zealand.

The first thing we at the YMCA would like everyone to understand is that we are first and foremost a national community organisation. We work for every New Zealander and we want to engage with every New Zealander in a way that is positive. Sure, at heart we are youth centred but we work with people of all ages. It’s summed up in our by-line:

We Build Strong Kids, Strong Families, Strong Communities.

It's not just a slogan – we really believe that by helping children and young people to thrive, they will make great adults and parents. By working together with families, we strengthen that most important relationship of all – family/whanau.

Building on that, we believe that connected communities are strong communities and strong communities make a great New Zealand society.