Course details

Summary

As an early childhood teacher you have the chance to teach infants, toddlers and young children when they are most open to learning. The rapid rate of development in children of this age and their natural desire to learn makes for a hugely gratifying environment in which to work.

The Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (Early Childhood) (BTchLn(Early Childhood) is an internationally recognised qualification that prepares you for a teaching career in different early childhood settings. This degree is available to study full-time or part-time:

1. on campus in Christchurch
2. in New Plymouth by a mix of face-to-face and distance study
3. by distance through the Flexible Learning Option (FLO).

Qualification structure and duration

The Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (Early Childhood) requires 360 points as follows:

• 105 points from Education courses
• 90 points from Professional Inquiry
• 60 points from Professional Practice
• 105 points from Curriculum Studies.

Flexible Learning Option

If you would like to study by distance you will need to attend up to two on-site intensives, one of which is a two week on-site intensive at the beginning of the programme. This will be held in Christchurch unless you are enrolled in the regional programme in New Plymouth.

Courses integrate web-based material, audiovisual resources, video conferences and email. You will also attend professional practice placements in early childhood education centres for up to ten weeks per year.

Further study

Graduate option

If you already hold a university degree, UC offers two pathways to a new career in early childhood teaching:

• Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Teaching (offered by distance)
• Master of Teaching and Learning
• Relevant postgraduate qualifications
• Bachelor of Teaching and Learning with Honours
• Postgraduate Certificate in Education
• Postgraduate Certificate in Specialist Teaching
• Postgraduate Diploma in Education (with endorsement options in e-Learning and Digital Technologies, Hoaka Pounamu: Te Reo Maori Bilingual and Immersion Teaching, Inclusive and Special Education, Leadership, Literacy and Teaching Languages)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Teaching
• Master of Computer-Assisted Language Learning
• Master of Education (also available as an endorsement in Inclusive and Special Education)
• Master of Specialist Teaching
• Master of Teaching and Learning
• Doctor of Education
• Doctor of Philosophy

Career opportunities

Successful graduates meet the requirements for provisional teacher registration with the Education Council of Aotearoa New Zealand (EDUCANZ).

A UC degree in Early Childhood teaching means you will be able to join a skilled and collaborative teaching profession. Early Childhood graduates can work in a range of early childhood settings including early learning centres, childcare centres (public and private), hospitals and government agencies.

Many graduates have gone on to own and operate their own early childhood businesses.

Transferable skills apply in industries outside of teaching eg, educational publishing, policy, advocacy, consultancy, social work and the police.

Entry criteria

Selection for entry is based on:

• your academic ability, involvement and interest in working with children, community involvement, communication skills and other personal qualities as outlined in the Application for Programme Entry
• a police check, referees' reports and an interview
• a short literacy and numeracy test.

Students for whom English is an additional language must provide evidence of their English language ability as follows: at least two years of successful study in a New Zealand secondary school, with at least ten Level 2 NCEA credits in Literacy (five reading and five writing) or equivalent.