Qualifications Recognised for Working in NZ Early Childhood Education and Approved Training Institutions
If you want to work in an early childhood education (ECE) it is important to understand the different types of qualifications, know which training institutions are approved to offer ECE teacher training, and courses offered.
Common Terms Explained
Qualified ECE Teacher
A qualified ECE teacher is someone who holds a recognised Level 7 or higher ECE teaching qualification approved by the Teaching Council.
This may be a bachelor’s degree, graduate diploma, or equivalent qualification.
Unqualified Teacher
An unqualified teacher is someone who does not hold a recognised Level 7 or higher teaching qualification.
You can work in many ECE services without a teaching qualification. However, your role, responsibilities, pay, and career opportunities may be more limited than for qualified teachers.
Secondary School Teacher
A secondary teaching qualification is not recognised as an ECE teaching qualification.
People with a secondary teaching qualification may work in ECE as an unqualified teacher, or complete a recognised ECE Graduate Diploma of Teaching to gain an ECE teaching qualification.
Primary School Teacher
The Government allows people who hold a recognised primary school teaching qualification to be included as qualified teachers for ECE staffing purposes.
Teacher in Training
A teacher in training is someone who is studying towards a recognised Bachelor of Teaching, Graduate Diploma of Teaching, or Postgraduate Diploma of Teaching qualification.
Many students work in ECE services while completing their studies.
Kaiako
The term kaiako is commonly used by the Ministry of Education, ERO and other organisations to refer in general to any adults working with children in ECE services whether they be qualified teachers or not.
In some settings, including Te Kōhanga Reo, the term can have a more specific meaning linked to recognised qualifications and cultural responsibilities.
Certificated Teacher
A certificated teacher is a teacher who:
- Is registered with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand, and
- Holds a current practising certificate.
Home-Based ECE – Educators
If you want to work as a home-based educator, you must either:
- Hold an approved qualification, or
- Begin studying towards an approved Level 4 qualification within six months of starting work for a licensed home-based service.
The recognised qualifications are:
- a Level 4 or higher ECE qualification listed on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework or
- an early childhood qualification recognised by the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand for registration purposes
- a Level 3 ECE qualification completed before 1 June 2022
- a primary teaching qualification
- a level 5, or above, qualification developed by Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust Board.
Want to know what you could earn? See our guide: What You Can Earn Working in ECE: Pay, Benefits and Conditions
Home-Based ECE – Persons Responsible
Persons responsible for home-based educators and children must have a recognised early childhood teaching qualification and a current practising certificate from the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand.
ECE Teacher Qualifications
A recognised ECE teaching qualification is a qualification approved by the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand and accepted for teacher registration.
The most common pathways are:
Bachelor’s Degree (Three Years)
Examples include:
- Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education)
- Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Teaching)
These programmes are usually three years of full-time study, although many providers also offer part-time options.
Graduate/Post-Grad Diploma (One Year)
If you already have a degree, you may be able to complete:
- Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Early Childhood Education), or
- Postgraduate Diploma of Teaching (Early Childhood Education)
These programmes are usually one year full-time or two years part-time.
Equivalent Level 7 Qualifications
Some other qualifications may also be recognised if approved by the Teaching Council for teacher certification purposes.
The list of currently approved qualifications and providers is provided below.
Overseas Qualifications
If you completed a teaching qualification overseas, you will usually need an assessment from the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).
NZQA assesses qualifications individually and determines whether they are comparable to New Zealand qualifications.
For an overseas qualification to be recognised for ECE teaching in New Zealand, it generally needs to be assessed as equivalent to:
- A New Zealand Level 7 teaching qualification, or
- A recognised ECE Graduate Diploma of Teaching qualification.
Once approved by NZQA and recognised by the Teaching Council, the qualification can be used for teacher registration and ECE staffing purposes.
Find out more: NZQA International Qualifications Assessment
Choosing an ECE Teaching Course
There are many ways to train as an ECE teacher, and different providers offer different learning styles and study options. You may be able to choose:
- Full-time or part-time study
- On-campus learning
- Distance or online study
- Blended learning
- Field-based programmes where you work in an ECE service while studying
Before enrolling, consider:
How long will it take?
Compare:
- Programme length
- Study workload
- Tuition fees
- Travel costs
- Flexibility for family and work commitments
What is the provider’s reputation?
Talk to:
- Current students
- Recent graduates
- ECE teachers and managers
- Employers
What teaching approach does the provider have?
Different providers place different emphasis on:
- Research and theory
- Practical teaching experience
- Māori and Pacific perspectives
- Teaching infants and toddlers
- Teaching older preschool children
- Specific educational philosophies such as Montessori
What type of study suits you best?
Some people thrive in a university environment or want a qualification that is strong in research and theory. Others prefer smaller classes, practical learning, distance study, or field-based programmes.
The best course is one that fits both your career goals and your personal circumstances.
Training Institutions
This is a list of approved Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes leading to Kaiako Whai Rēhitanga | Teacher Registration in New Zealand. ITE providers are fully accredited to offer these qualifications.
Please note that institutions may make changes to or close their programme at any time, or the Teaching Council may withdraw their registration at any time.
Auckland University of Technology (AUT) – Public Tertiary Education Institution
Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Teaching)
Location: Auckland Campus (Northcote)
Length: Three years of full-time study or part-time is available
Students are required to attend campus in-person on a regular basis
Bachelor of Education (Pasifika Early Childhood Teaching)
Location: Auckland Campus (Northcote)
Length: Three years of full-time study or part-time is available
Students are required to attend campus in-person on a regular basis
Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning (Early Childhood) Auckland
Location: Auckland Campus (Northcote)
Length: 12 months
Students are required to attend campus in-person on a regular basis
Bethlehem Tertiary Institute – Private training organisation
Owner: Christian Education Trust, Bethlehem College
Bachelor of Education (Teaching) Early Childhood Education
Location: Study anywhere within NZ: online and onsite (Tauranga) options available
Length: 3 years (Full-time study) or part-time is available
Less than 10 days in-person campus attendance required with the exception of professional experience placements
Bodhi Institute – Private training organisation
Owned by Kim Hogan and Kerry Leonard
“You’ll be part of a small, connected cohort and supported by a dedicated tutor who knows you, your goals, and your learning style.”
Bachelor of Teaching (ECE)
Location: online
Length: Three years of full-time study
Students complete weekly hours in a licensed early childhood setting, alongside six practicum blocks across the programme.
Cavalli College (Kindercare) – Private training organisation
Owned by Glennie Oborn (Kindercare, 60% shares), Kaye McKean (Kakapo Creek, 20% shares), Brent Simpson, and Selena Fox (20% shares. Selena Fox is the former director of NZ Tertiary College when it was owned by Glenda Oborn and Alan Wendelborn)
Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education)
Location: online
Length: 3 years
Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education)
Location: online
Length: 15 months
Eastern Institute of Technology – Public Tertiary Education Institution
Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education)
Location: Napier: Taradale
Length: Three years of full-time study
Students are required to attend campus in-person on a regular basis
ICL Business School – Private training organisation
Owned by Matthew Riley and Pieter Venter
Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education)
Location: Auckland CBD
Length: 12 months
Students are required to attend campus in-person on a regular basis
Manukau Institute of Technology – Public Tertiary Education Institution
Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Teaching)
Location: Ōtara, Auckland or Manukau, Auckland
Length: Three years of full-time study or part-time is available
The programme blends in-person and online study
Massey University – Public Tertiary Education Institution
Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching (Early Childhood Education)
Location: Palmerston North: Manawatu Campus or Auckland: Albany Campus
Length: One year of full-time study or part-time is available
Less than 10 days in-person campus attendance required with the exception of professional experience placements
New Zealand Tertiary College (NZTC) – Private training organisation
Owned by UP Education Ltd, which is owned by Global Academic Group Ltd. Directors
Scott MCKnight and Mark Jason Rushworth.
Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education)
Length: Three years of full-time study
Programme fully delivered online with the exception of professional experience placements
Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education)
Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education)
Length: 1.6 years (18 months) study
Programme fully delivered online with the exception of professional experience placements
Open Polytechnic – Public Tertiary Education Institution
Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education)
Length: Three years of full-time study or part-time is available
Programme fully delivered online with the exception of professional experience placements
Graduate Diploma in Teaching (ECE)
Length: One year of full-time study or part-time is available
Programme fully delivered online with the exception of professional experience placements
Te Rito Maioha – Private training organisation
Te Rito Maioha is registered as an incorporated society. It was founded in 1963 as the NZ Association of Childcare Centres by trade unionist Sonja Davies
Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education)
Length: Three years of full-time study or six years part-time
The programme blends in-person and online study
Graduate Diploma of Teaching (ECE)
Length: 12 months full-time or 2 years part-time
The programme blends in-person and online study
Te Wānanga o Raukawa – Public Tertiary Education Institution
Poutuarongo Whakaakoranga Kōhungahunga (Taumata 7 Rumaki Māori Early Childhood) Bachelor of Teaching Early Childhood Early Childhood Education
Location: Ōtaki, Wellington
Length: Three years of full-time study or part-time is available
Bilingual programme. Programme blends in-person and online study
Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi – Public Tertiary Education Institution
Te Tohu Paetahi Ako – Bachelor of Education (Teaching) Early Years
Location: Whakatane, Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland)
Length: Three years of full-time study or part-time is available
Programme blends in-person and online study
Toi-Ohomai Institute of Technology – Public Tertiary Education Institution
Te Tohu Paetahi Whakaako Kohungahunga: Bachelor of Teaching Early Childhood Education
Location: Tauranga, Bay of Plenty | Rotorua, Bay of Plenty
Length: Three years of full-time study
Bilingual. Students are required to attend campus in-person on a regular basis
UCOL – Public Tertiary Education Institution
Te Tohu Paetahi Akoranga: Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education)
Location: Palmerston North, Masterton, Wellington, Whanganui
Length: Three years of full-time study
The programme blends in-person and online study
UNITEC Institute of Technology – Public Tertiary Education Institution
Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education)
Location: Auckland: Mt Albert Campus
Length: Three years of full-time study
Students are required to attend campus in-person on a regular basis
University of Auckland – Public Tertiary Education Institution
Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education)
Length: One year of full-time study or part-time is available
Programme fully delivered online with the exception of professional experience placements
University of Canterbury – Public Tertiary Education Institution
Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (Early Childhood)
Location: Christchurch and Distance
Length: 3 years (Full-time study) or part-time is available
Less than 10 days in-person campus attendance required with the exception of professional experience placements
Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (Mātauranga Māori)
Location: Christchurch and Distance
Length: 3 years (Full-time study) or part-time is available
Less than 10 days in-person campus attendance required with the exception of professional experience placements
Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning
Length: 1 year or part-time is available
Less than 10 days in-person campus attendance required with the exception of professional experience placements
University of Otago – Public Tertiary Education Institution
Bachelor of Teaching (BTchg) – Early Childhood Education
Location: Dunedin and Invercargill
Length: Three years of full-time study
Students are required to attend campus in-person on a regular basis
University of Waikato – Public Tertiary Education Institution
Post-graduate Diploma of Teaching ECE
Length: 1 year or part-time is available
Less than 10 days in-person campus attendance required with the exception of professional experience placements
Graduate Diploma of Teaching (ECE)
Length: 1 year or part-time is available
Less than 10 days in-person campus attendance required with the exception of professional experience placements
Victoria University of Wellington – Public Tertiary Education Institution
Bachelor of Education (Teaching) Early Childhood
Location: Wellington: Kelburn Campus
Length: Three years of full-time study
Students are required to attend campus in-person on a regular basis
Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Early Childhood Education)
Location: Online throughout New Zealand.
Length: One year of full-time study
Students are required to attend campus in-person on a regular basis
WINTEC (Waikato Institute of Technology) – Public Tertiary Education Institution
Te Paetahi Akoranga Bachelor of Teaching (ECE)
Location: Hamilton: City Campus
Length: Three years of full-time study or up to six years part-time.
DISCLAIMER:
Qualification recognition and course offerings by the various tertiary institutions and private training establishing may change at any time. The information presented here is intended as a guide only. Please also do your own checking with the institutions you are considering enrolling with and check with the NZ Teaching Council that when you complete a qualification it will be one that the Teaching Council will recognise for the purpose of allowing you to register as a teacher.
