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Qualified teacher returning

If you are a primary* or secondary qualified teacher considering becoming an early childhood teacher, you can choose this option:

Study a Graduate Diploma of Teaching (ECE)

You can choose a method of study from a variety of options such as campus-based, online, distance, and whether you study full time or part time.

* If you are a qualified primary teacher, you may qualify for either a study grant or a TeachNZ ECE scholarship to complete a Graduate Diploma of Teaching (ECE) - you cannot receive both.

TeachNZ Teacher Recruitment Scholarships (Early Childhood) are also available for qualified secondary teachers interested in studying towards an approved early childhood teaching qualification. The application form can be downloaded below.

If you are already a qualified early childhood teacher considering a return to teaching and require updating information, we've listed some useful reading material below.

Our Returning Teachers section also has some information for New Zealand early childhood teachers considering a return to teaching in services.

To check whether you would qualify for financial incentives to return to the workforce, click on the following links for detailed information:

Study grant for primary to ECE teaching - a direct link to detailed information on the $3000 study grants for qualified primary teachers, primary student teachers and degree-holders studying towards approved ECE teaching qualifications.

ECE National Relocation Grant - a link to more detailed information about the $3000 incentive for ECE qualified teachers to secure a teaching position in a hard-to-staff area.

ECE Returning to Teaching Allowance - a link to information about a $2000 grant for qualified and registered ECE teachers returning to the ECE workforce in hard-to-staff areas.

Useful updating reading material:

Te Whāriki - a link to the Ministry of Education's early childhood curriculum policy statement

Quality in Action - this document can be downloaded by following this link to a page on the Ministry of Education website