National Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 5)

Credits: 127

Programme Aim:
The National Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 5) is designed to provide elementary professional level knowledge and skills from which students can progress to further education and employment in the early childhood education field. This programme recognises the knowledge, skills and attributes required for early childhood education and care across all early childhood services and settings within the socio-cultural context of Aotearoa/New Zealand and allows flexibility for the holder to choose the setting in which they wish to work.

Holders of this qualification will have demonstrated knowledge and skills in the area of:

• Early childhood educational theory and practice
• Early childhood Family, whanau, community and society
• Home-based caregiver management
• Professional practice
• Interpersonal communication
• Food technology and nutrition
• Te Whā riki
• Observation techniques
• Programme planning
• Safe supervision
• Emergency plans and procedures
• Facilitation of early childhood education and care arrangements

Graduate Outcome:
Students completing this course will be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills relevant to all early childhood education centres. Graduates will be able to demonstrate high-level safety and classroom management skills, knowledge and skills in the early childhood curriculum and interactions with families and communities and current understandings of early childhood learning and practice. Graduate students may continue to work towards completing a teaching qualification recognised by the New Zealand Teacher’s Council or gain employment as an edu-carer or nanny working privately or for agencies with young children in homes.

Career Opportunities:
This qualification may lead to further education e.g. National Diploma in Early Childhood Education/Teaching (Level 7);  Bachelor of Early Childhood Education/Teaching.

Entry Criteria:

• A minimum of 18 years of age
• 10+2 graduate or relevant qualification
• Applicants must also undergo a Police Check, interview and provide their curriculum vitae
• Good communication skills and a desire to work with children
• International students for whom English is a second language must have achieved a minimum English Language requirement of an Academic IELTS level of 6.0 (average) or equivalent.  

For information on paper titles, please refer to the College website www.nzcc.ac.nz or contact a campus administrator on 0800 886 922.