New Zealand Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 5)

Entry criteria

Academic admission requirements

Applicants under 20 years of age: NCEA level 2 or equivalent

Entry over 20 years of age: Applicants who are 20 years of age at the commencement of the programme and have relevant life and/or work experience do not have to meet the minimum academic requirements (with the exception of English Language criteria).

Safety checks

To satisfy the risk assessment and safety check required in compliance with the Vulnerable Children Act (2014) the following requirements are in place:

1. Provide a New Zealand Police Check (using the NZ Police and Vetting Consent to Disclosure of Information form) that demonstrates that the applicant has no criminal record and thus meets the requirements to work with at-risk and vulnerable children as required by the Vulnerable Children Act (2014) 2. Interviews will be conducted in person. Skype or other electronic means as outlined in the Vulnerable Children Act (2014) will be used where distance is an issue 3. Sign a statement agreeing to the release of pertinent information relevant to the Vulnerable Children Act 2014 that a Childcare centre may request 4. Provide two satisfactory written referee reports 5. Provide one photograph that meets the criteria defined by the New Zealand passport office

NOTE: As this programme requires practical experience with children, you will be vetted and safety checked according to the Children’s Act (2014) and the Children’s (Requirements for Safety Checks of Children’s Workers) Regulations 2015. Your enrolment documents should be as follows:

One form of identification must be primary, and one must be secondary. Either the primary or secondary identification must include a photo. These must be current and not expired. To check the range of documents that can be used, see Schedule Confirmation of Identity – New Zealand Legislation

English language entry requirements

Applicants must demonstrate that they have sufficient competence in English language and literacy to undertake this programme.

Applicants for whom English is not their first language (including International students) must demonstrate that they meet an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Academic version minimum score of 5.5 with nothing lower than 5.0 in all components. International students must further meet the English language requirements as specified by NZQA

Exempted case: EAL applicants who have completed the New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Professional/Academic) (Level 5) or achieved 10 literacy credits (5 reading and 5 writing) from the New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Academic) (Level 4).

Applicants who do not meet the IELTS requirement are able to re-apply for future intakes to the programme once this English language requirement has been met.

Give yourself credit with Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Did you know you can use the knowledge and experience you already have to your advantage?

Your previous work experience and on-the-job skills, volunteering, professional development, and other providers’ qualifications can be recognised as prior learning, matched against credits in our courses, and put towards your qualification – potentially saving you money and possibly helping you to complete your qualification faster Learn more.