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Unqualified working in ECE

If you are currently unqualified and are working in an early childhood service, you can choose from these options to complete an early childhood teaching qualification at a teacher education provider:

Complete a foundation programme to meet the entry criteria for a teaching qualification or
Apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or
Complete a centre-based Diploma of Teaching (ECE) or
Complete a Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) or
Complete a combined degree and early childhood teaching qualification.

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

TeachNZ Teacher Recruitment Scholarships (Early Childhood) are available if you are interested in obtaining an early childhood teaching diploma or degree. The application form can be downloaded below.

If you would like more help with your decision making, please contact the Ministry of Education's Early Childhood Teacher Supply Team.

To check out your teacher education options, ways of studying, and eligibility for an ECE scholarship view the following weblinks and downloadable documents:

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) - A link to information on the Ministry of Education website for those seeking to gain an approved ECE teaching qualification and wish to have current skills and knowledge recognised under an RPL programme.

ECE Incentive Grants 2007 - A direct link to full information and the application form on the Ministry of Education website. The grant is available to licensed and chartered centre-based and home-based early childhood services to assist staff to gain an approved ECE teaching qualification.

To view the pdf documents you need Adobe Acrobat software which you can download by clicking on this icon

A complete list of approved early childhood teacher education providers and qualifications for 2009.

ECE - Where to study (316k pdf)