Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education)

A passionate, skilled and qualified early childhood teacher has an important role in the learning and development of infants, toddlers and young children. The early years of a young child’s life lay the foundation for life-long learning.

This programme enables you to undertake study two days a week on-campus to attain a teaching qualification while being employed or working voluntarily two days a week in an early childhood setting.

On completion of the Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) you will be ready to apply for registration as a provisionally certificated ECE teacher with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand.

The Bachelor of Teaching – Early Childhood Education (BTECE) offers you the opportunity to gain a professional qualification as an Early Childhood Teacher leading directly to employment opportunities. This is a field-based teacher education programme which provides a balance between theory, research and practice.

Field-based education enables you to regularly apply your classroom learning. It allows you to undertake study and attain a teaching qualification while in employment or working voluntarily in an early childhood setting. This qualification prepares you for further postgraduate study should you choose to do so.

You will attend classes, on-campus, two days a week and undertake a minimum of 12 hours per week in a licensed early childhood education service. The programme is normally studied full-time over three years.

You are welcome to make an appointment to discuss your study options with our staff and to view our campus and facilities.

An internationally recognised degree in early childhood education gives a professional qualification that enables opportunities to work in a range of vocations.

Career opportunities include teaching in:

• Kindergartens
• Early childhood education and care settings
• Home-based services
• Special education

This qualification also prepares you for further postgraduate study.

Happy Days Child Care in Taradale has employed six EIT Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) graduates. Sue Walker talks about why she loves EIT graduates and how they are “work ready”. Michelle Rochester talks about her experiences while studying and why she chose early childhood education.

Academic Learning Services is here to assist you on your journey towards the successful completion of your studies at EIT. Our aim is for you to become confident, competent and independent learners.

We have dedicated advisors who can assist with your learning.

Find out more:

Hawke’s Bay Campus

Academic Entry Requirements

The academic entry requirement for the BTECE is one of the following:

• University Entrance (as defined by the NZQA), or equivalent (for international applicants not schooled in New Zealand).
• For applicants under the age of 20 years at the beginning of the academic year, who do not have University Entrance or equivalent, entry may be considered on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the School of Education and Social Sciences policy on discretionary entry.
• For applicants over the age of 20 years at the beginning of the academic year, evidence of the potential to succeed in tertiary study at degree level, including demonstrated literacy and numeracy competence equivalent to that required for University Entrance.

Additional Requirements

• All applicants must be over the age of 17 years at the beginning of the academic year.
• In support of their application, applicants must supply, in a CV, a detailed account of their educational background, evidence of a commitment to care and education for infants, toddlers and young children; experience with children and an openness to learning.
• All applicants must provide two references, using the prescribed Referee Forms, from persons who are not related to the applicant, who can comment on their personal and professional qualities appropriate for early childhood teaching, at least one of whom has observed them working with children.
• All applicants must undergo police vetting in accordance with the Children’s Act 2014.
• All applicants must sign a declaration that they are in good health (having no medical, physical or psychological conditions that would preclude working with children).

Competency in English Language

All applicants must demonstrate an acceptable level of English language fluency prior to acceptance in the programme.

Ways in which this may be demonstrated, besides by New Zealand University Entrance, are detailed in the current Teaching Council Initial Teacher Education Requirements.

For applicants with English as an Additional Language, English language fluency may be demonstrated by:

• An IELTS Academic score of 7, with no band score lower than 7, achieved in a single test within the two years preceding enrolment; or
• An equivalent score on a test of English language proficiency, as set out in the current Teaching Council Initial Teacher Education Requirements, achieved in a single test within the two years preceding enrolment. (See enclosed document for further information).

Early Childhood Education and Care Setting Requirements

Prior to the beginning of the academic year, to undertake field-based teacher education all enrolled student teachers must:

• Be working (employed or non-employed) for a minimum of 12 hours per week in a licensed early childhood setting, during the EIT term.
• Be supported at the setting by a qualified mentor teacher who is registered and holds a current full practicing certificate. NOTE: The Memorandum of Agreement between the setting and EIT must be signed by the setting and returned prior to commencement of the programme. As necessary, two copies of the Terms of Reference document for non-employed student teachers needs to be signed by the setting and student teacher prior to commencement of the programme. The setting keeps one copy, and the other is returned prior to commencement of the programme.
• Meet the requirements of the Children’s Act (2014). Children’s Act (2014) letter must be sighted by the setting and signed by the student teacher.

Internal Selection Process

Applicants meeting the entry requirements will be required to participate in both a group and individual interview. This is the first step to ensure that graduating student teachers have the qualities and dispositions enabling them to meet the Standards for the Teaching Profession. The interviews are conducted by a panel comprising EIT BTECE teacher educators, usually assisted by an Early Childhood Education sector representative or other EIT academic representative. Interviews will be conducted in an equitable and professional manner, with every endeavour to make applicants feel at ease. Applicants may bring family/whānau for support. Areas considered by the selection panel include:

• Personal qualities;
• Professional qualities;
• Knowledge and experience of pre-school aged children;
• Other work and community experience; and
• Cultural knowledge and understanding.

Applicants will also be required to pass:

• A literacy competency assessment set by the School of Education and Social Sciences, EIT; and
• a numeracy competency assessment set by the School of Education and Social Sciences, EIT. In preparation for this, applicants may find the following resources useful:

  – https://pathwaysawarua.com/

  – https://nzmaths.co.nz/level-1-problems

  Some examples of questions that could be expected may also be provided upon request.

Applicants who pass the assessments will be considered for enrolment in the programme in line with the overall selection process.