Why Study/Key Benefits

• Develop knowledge and practical skills for working with infants, toddlers, and young children in early childhood education settings.

• Study child development, curriculum design, play-based learning, and culturally responsive teaching.

• Gain practical experience through more than 400 hours of placement in early childhood settings.

• Learn about Te Wh?riki, te reo M?ori, tikanga M?ori, and the cultural context of early childhood education in Aotearoa New Zealand.

• Study a programme developed in partnership with iwi, incorporating local history, stories, knowledge, and culturally competent practices.

• Build communication, professional reflection, observation, and relationship-building skills relevant to working with children and their families.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The programme comprises 8 courses worth 15 credits each, totalling 120 credits.

1. Child Development – 15 credits

• Child development from birth to six years.

• Local and international theories of child development and learning.

• The relationship between neuroscience, child development, and learning approaches.

2. Education and Society – 15 credits

• Social and cultural contexts of education in Aotearoa New Zealand.

• Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Treaty-based relationships in early childhood education.

• Equity and equality in early childhood settings.

3. Professional Inquiry in Practice 1: Professional and Reflective Practice – 15 credits

• Observing and documenting children's learning and development.

• Developing teaching practices.

• Reflective practice and introductory use of te reo M?ori and tikanga M?ori.

4. Professional Inquiry in Practice 2: Communication and Relationships – 15 credits

• Professional communication and collaborative relationships.

• Working with M?ori and Pasifika children and families using appropriate cultural protocols.

• Professional responsibilities and communication in early childhood settings.

5. Te Puna Reo – 15 credits

• Te reo M?ori and tikanga M?ori in early childhood services.

• Pronunciation, karakia, mihi, pepeha, and waiata ? ringa.

• Local stories and traditions of hap? and iwi.

6. Play, Curriculum and Pedagogy – 15 credits

• Play-based learning and its contribution to children's development.

• Observing and analysing children's learning.

• The teacher's role in supporting children's play.

7. Artistic Languages of Children – 15 credits

• Visual arts, music, and movement in early childhood education.

• Cultural identity and artistic experiences.

• Planning creative learning activities for children's interests, needs, and abilities.

8. Educational Approaches – 15 credits

• Historical and contemporary educational philosophies.

• Influential educational thinkers.

• Different approaches to early childhood education in New Zealand.

Practical and field-based experience:

• Field-based experience: 288 hours during the year, completed over 14 weeks in semester one and 10 weeks in semester two, at 12 hours per week.

• Practical experience placement: 120 hours over four weeks in semester two, in an early childhood setting arranged by UCOL.

• Total placement experience specified in the course information: 408 hours.

• Students must arrange a suitable early childhood service for the field-based experience before the programme begins. UCOL arranges the separate practical placement.

• The field-based placement is completed over two days per week, on a Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday.

• UCOL’s detailed placement guidance also says the practical placement may require travel outside the student's district, with associated expenses paid by the student.

Disciplines/Specialisations

The programme focuses on early childhood education and care rather than separate named specialisations. Its main study areas include:

• Child development and early learning.

• Early childhood curriculum, play, and pedagogy.

• Professional and reflective teaching practice.

• Communication and relationships with children, families, and communities.

• M?ori language, culture, and culturally responsive practice.

• Creative learning through visual arts, music, and movement.

• Practical experience in early childhood education services.

Programme Highlights

• Blended learning with campus-based teaching, online learning resources, and workplace experience.

• More than 400 hours of placement experience are described in the programme overview.

• Curriculum developed in partnership with iwi to incorporate local cultural knowledge and practices.

• Compulsory overnight noho marae experience during the first semester.

• Practical learning in licensed early childhood education settings.

• Focus on supporting infants, toddlers, and young children.

• Study of Te Wh?riki and culturally responsive early childhood practice.

• Opportunity to progress to UCOL's Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education), subject to its admission and credit requirements.

Career Outcomes

UCOL identifies the following employment opportunities for graduates:

• Centre-based early childhood care in an unqualified role.

• Hospital-based care, including play specialist assistant roles.

• Home-based childcare.

• Nanny services.

• Parent-led childcare.

• Early childhood work in culturally based contexts.

Important professional qualification note:

• This Level 5 diploma does not lead to teacher registration in New Zealand.

• Graduates who want to work towards teacher registration can consider further study in UCOL's Te Tohu Paetahi Akoranga: Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education), Level 7.

• Admission to the degree and any credit recognition must be confirmed with UCOL.

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

• The current UCOL programme page lists the next published intake as February 2027.

• The programme is NZQA-approved, and UCOL is accredited to teach it.

• Students must attend a compulsory overnight noho marae in the first semester. UCOL lists May for each of the three campuses.

• Students must complete the required safety checks, including New Zealand Police vetting, work-history verification, and referee checks.

• A suitable early childhood service must be arranged by the student for the 288-hour field-based experience before the programme starts.

• UCOL arranges the separate practical placement, subject to satisfactory police checks and the availability of a suitable placement.

• Practical placement may involve travel outside the student's district. Any associated travel expenses are the student's responsibility.

• The programme page has inconsistent descriptions of campus attendance and practical placement arrangements. Applicants should request the current timetable and placement requirements in writing before accepting an offer.

• Recognition of Prior Learning, including cross-credit, credit transfer, and assessment of prior learning, may be considered individually.

• Required textbooks are additional costs. UCOL provides the book list after acceptance; exact textbook prices are not published.

• UCOL recommends that students have their own internet-capable device for study outside scheduled classes.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students generally need a Fee Paying Student Visa to study this full-time programme in New Zealand. The final decision and conditions are determined by Immigration New Zealand.

Key requirements:

• Offer of Place: Students must have an offer from an approved New Zealand education provider.

• Tuition fees: Applicants must show they can pay the required tuition fees, or provide evidence of an acceptable scholarship or other funding arrangement.

• Living costs: For tertiary study lasting one year or more, Immigration New Zealand requires evidence of at least NZD 20,000 per year. For study shorter than one year, the requirement is NZD 1,667 per month.

• Visa application fee: From NZD 850.

• Processing time: Immigration New Zealand currently states that 80% of Fee Paying Student Visa applications are processed within 7 weeks. Processing times can vary.

• Visa duration: The visa may allow a stay of up to 4 years, depending on the study and the individual circumstances.

• Insurance: Students must have acceptable medical and travel insurance for their stay, meeting the requirements of their education provider.

• Health and character: Applicants must meet Immigration New Zealand's health and character requirements.

• Genuine study: Applicants must demonstrate genuine reasons for studying in New Zealand and show that they can leave New Zealand at the end of their authorised stay.

• Application timing: Immigration New Zealand recommends applying at least 3 months before intended travel.

Work rights:

• Eligible student visa holders may be permitted to work up to 25 hours per week during study.

• Full-time work may be permitted during scheduled holidays, depending on the visa conditions.

• Immigration New Zealand requires evidence of the course and scheduled holidays for full-time work rights during scheduled breaks.

• The programme is listed as 120 credits, which meets the credit threshold specified for the relevant scheduled-holiday work provision. This does not automatically grant full-time holiday work rights; the student's eVisa must explicitly allow it.

• Students must check their individual eVisa conditions before undertaking any employment.

Study and attendance obligations:

• Students must attend the programme stated on their visa unless they have a valid reason for absence.

• They must make satisfactory academic progress.

• They must comply with all visa conditions and maintain acceptable insurance.