Program Overview

New Zealand Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 4)

The New Zealand Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 4) aims to prepare individuals aspiring to work in the Early Childhood Education sector with competence, knowledge, and skills required to assist Early Childhood Education professionals in approved early childhood settings that are multicultural. This course also provides the fundamental knowledge and rigour in Early Childhood Education to advance into further study. Graduates will be confident to engage infants, toddlers and young children in a professional setting, and will be competent in supporting Early Childhood Education outcomes.

Program Details

• Credits: 60
• Duration: 20-24 weeks (20 Academic + 0-4 break weeks)
• Locations offered: Manukau
• Fees:
  • Domestic - Zero Fees apply

Delivery Mode

• Face to Face (2 days x 6hrs per week) OR Blended (4 hours face to face AND 8 hours online per week)
• 12 hours per week of Self-Directed Learning
• 6 hours per week of Workplace Practicum. A total of 120 hours of Workplace Practicum must be completed.

Entry Requirement

Prospective learners wishing to enrol into the New Zealand Certificate in Early Childhood Education (Level 4) must meet the following entry requirements for the programme:

• Disclose any criminal convictions at the time of enrolment; approve, at the time of enrolment, the release of criminal conviction information from the New Zealand Police, to enable learners to be placed in a workplace setting to meet the requirements of the programme.
• Must be able to complete one day per week of work experience workplace practicum within the industry to complete the practical requirements of the programme.
• Attend an interview as part of the enrolment process to establish if suitable to study at Level 4 with adequate literacy and numeracy skills.

NZ Qualification Gained

New Zealand Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 4)

Core Papers Included

• Module 1: Administration and Bicultural Practice (14 credits)
• Module 2: Learning and Development (17 credits)
• Module 3: Health and Safety (15 credits)
• Module 4: Communication and Relationships (14 credits)

Graduate Profile

Graduates of this qualification will be able to:

• Guide the holistic development and learning of children through the application of key early childhood theories and approaches.
• Promote children's learning through observing, planning, implementing and reviewing culturally responsive learning experiences for mokopuna - infants, toddlers, and young children.
• Provide an environment guided by community and government services, legislation and regulatory requirements, to protect and support the holistic well-being, safety, health, nutrition and care of infants, toddlers, young children/ mokopuna and their whnau/ families.
• Communicate effectively and use strategies to promote cultural, social and emotional competencies, and engage in respectful, reciprocal, and responsive relationships within an early childhood education and care community.
• Reflect on personal and professional development, and implement strategies that manage own health, wellbeing and professionalism in an early childhood setting.
• Implement culturally responsive and inclusive ECE practice underpinned by Te Tiriti o Waitangi/The Treaty of Waitangi, Ka Hikitia and Tau Mai Te Reo, through the use of te reo and tikanga Mori with mokopuna/children and whanau/families in early childhood settings.
• Apply knowledge of the diverse philosophical and cultural contexts and approaches informing early childhood education in Aotearoa New Zealand to develop a personal philosophy of practice.

Employment Outcomes

Graduates of this qualification will have the skills and knowledge to work in a range of ECE settings as ECE educators, Kaimahi, ECE support workers, session leaders or organisers in a specific ECE context.

Education Pathways

Graduates of this qualification may undertake further study towards the New Zealand Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 5), or proceed to commence a Level 7 initial teacher education (ECE) qualification under specified criteria.

Fee Protection

Under the Education and Training Act 2020 and the Student Funds Trust Deposit Exemption Rules 2026, student fees paid in advance must be protected through an approved student fee protection arrangement unless the total programme fee does not exceed $1,000. Accordingly, student fees paid in advance are held in a student fee protection account. Fees are drawn down after commencement in stages as the course is delivered. In the event a programme is terminated and alternative tuition services are not provided, the student is entitled to a refund of prepaid student fees on a pro rata basis for the balance of the course based upon the number of full weeks required to complete the programme.