Why Study "Bachelor of Teaching Early Childhood Education"

The Bachelor of Teaching Early Childhood Education at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology is a Level 7 teaching qualification designed for students who want to become qualified early childhood teachers in New Zealand. The programme combines academic study with practical experience in early childhood centres and focuses on child development, Te Whariki, cultural diversity, te ao Maori and matauranga Maori. The qualification is an approved Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programme leading toward teacher registration in New Zealand.

• Level of study: Bachelor’s Degree, Level 7
• Duration: 3 years full-time, including holidays where applicable
• Students who have already completed the New Zealand Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care may be able to complete the degree in 2 years.
• Total credits: 360
• Campus: Windermere Campus, Tauranga
• Mode of learning: Primarily on-campus study with supervised practical placements in early childhood centres.
• Next available intake: 22 February 2027
• International tuition fee: NZD $27,360 per year for the 2027 intake. Fees may be subject to confirmation or change by the institution.

Key Benefits

• Develops professional knowledge and practical skills required for early childhood teaching.
• Includes practical placement experience in early childhood centres, with placements arranged by Toi Ohomai.
• Covers New Zealand's national early childhood curriculum, Te Wh?riki.
• Builds knowledge of child development, learning theories and culturally responsive teaching.
• Strong focus on bicultural education, including te ao M?ori and m?tauranga M?ori.
• Successful completion allows graduates to apply for teacher registration through the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand, subject to meeting registration requirements.
• The programme also provides an additional Diploma in Early Childhood Education qualification as part of the study pathway.

Program Structure

The programme consists of 360 credits over three years. The study structure progressively develops knowledge of early childhood education, curriculum, professional practice, language, culture, research and teaching practice. Key topics include:

• Year 1:
  • Introduction to Early Childhood Education
  • Theories of Learning
  • New Zealand Context of Early Childhood Education
  • Reflective Practice
  • Curriculum in Action
  • Language, Culture and Identity 1
• Year 2:
  • Literacies and the Arts
  • Language, Culture and Identity 2
  • Language of the Early Childhood Centre
  • Professional Practice 2
  • Science, Technology and Mathematics
  • Place-Based Education
  • Mana M?ori
• Year 3:
  • Applied Professional Practice 3A
  • Social Justice and Advocacy
  • Inquiry Methods and Methodologies
  • Applied Professional Practice 3B
  • Practitioner Inquiry

Practical teaching experience is an important component of the programme, allowing students to apply their learning in an early childhood centre under the supervision of qualified teachers.

Discipline / Specialisation

The programme is specifically focused on Early Childhood Education and does not list separate majors or specialisations. Major areas of study include:

• Early childhood teaching and learning
• Child development
• Early childhood curriculum and pedagogy
• Te Whariki
• Language, culture and identity
• Te ao Maori and matauranga Maori
• Literacy, arts, science, technology and mathematics
• Professional and reflective practice
• Social justice and advocacy
• Practitioner inquiry and research

Programme Highlights

• Qualification: Bachelor of Teaching Early Childhood Education – Te Tohu Paetahi Whakaako Kahungahunga.
• 360-credit Level 7 degree.
• Three-year full-time study pathway.
• Tauranga-based study at Windermere Campus.
• Practical placement experience is integrated into the programme.
• Placements are arranged by Toi Ohomai.
• The programme is designed around New Zealand's early childhood education environment and curriculum.
• Toi Ohomai's programme is listed by the Teaching Council among approved ITE programmes leading to teacher registration.
• Graduates can progress toward registration and a practising certificate with the Teaching Council after successfully completing the approved teaching qualification and meeting the Council's requirements.

Career Outcomes

Graduates can pursue professional opportunities in New Zealand's early childhood education sector, including roles such as:

• Early Childhood Teacher
• Registered/Provisionally Registered Early Childhood Teacher, subject to Teaching Council requirements
• Teacher or kaiako in early childhood education centres
• Early childhood education and learning support roles
• Further professional development and postgraduate study in education

Graduates can apply for teacher registration after completing the approved ITE programme. Registration and a current practising certificate are required to legally teach in New Zealand.

Visa Requirements (International Students)

International students intending to study this programme in New Zealand generally require a Fee Paying Student Visa.

• Students need an offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Evidence of sufficient funds for tuition fees is required.
• For tertiary study, Immigration New Zealand currently requires evidence of NZD $20,000 per year for living costs, or an acceptable sponsor/financial arrangement.
• Students must have acceptable medical and travel insurance for their stay.
• Applicants may need medical examinations, chest X-rays and police certificates depending on their circumstances and length of stay.
• Students must demonstrate genuine intentions to study and satisfy New Zealand's health and character requirements.
• Eligible student visa holders can generally work up to 25 hours per week during study periods and may be able to work full-time during scheduled holidays, subject to the conditions stated on their visa.
• Practical work experience that is a compulsory part of the programme is treated separately from ordinary student-visa work hours when the provider confirms that it is a required part of the course.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The latest Toi Ohomai course page was updated on 4 September 2026.
• The next listed intake is 22 February 2027 at Windermere Campus, Tauranga.
• The international course listing currently shows an indicative international tuition fee of NZD $27,360 per year for the Bachelor of Teaching Early Childhood Education.
• English language requirement: IELTS Academic overall 7.0, with no individual band below 7.0.
• Applicants must be at least 17 years old.
• Applicants under 20 must meet the specified New Zealand University Entrance or equivalent academic requirements and have four NCEA Level 2 or higher credits in both reading and writing.
• Applicants must demonstrate academic ability at NZQA Level 4 or equivalent and the ability to succeed in the programme.
• Applicants must pass a literacy and numeracy test.
• A police check and declaration of criminal convictions are required before enrolment.
• Two character references are required.
• International applicants should also be prepared to provide certified academic documents, passport/identity documents and evidence of English-language proficiency as part of the application process.
• Toi Ohomai's current scholarship listings mainly identify scholarships with specific domestic, regional or eligibility requirements; no scholarship specifically dedicated to international students in this Bachelor of Teaching programme is currently identified on the course page.
• From 1 January 2027, the Teaching Council's updated 2026 Standards for the Teaching Profession will take effect, which is relevant to the professional environment graduates enter after completing teacher education.