Private Training Establishment
Cavalli CollegeNew Zealand Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 5)
Level of Study
Diploma
Summary
The New Zealand Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 5) programme empowers student teachers to develop specialist knowledge, meaningful relationships, and practical skills through current, thoughtfully designed courses and substantial experience in early childhood settings — preparing them to deliver high-quality care and education for children, whānau, and communities.Through Cavalli College’s blended study modes of learning, including online access, face-to-face and practice-based classroom teaching experiences, along with our unique student support, you will:
- Examine the foundations of ECE in New Zealand.
- Gain knowledge of a range of relevant educational theories and approaches.
- Engage in the latest curriculum learning.
- Grow in confidence to care for and educate infants, toddlers and young children alongside qualified and experienced teachers.
- Explore practices to ensure healthy, safe and culturally inclusive environments.
- Gain skills in communication and collaboration with children, families and colleagues.
- Weekly extensive classroom experiences in quality ECE settings.
- Two 20-day professional experience placements aligned with NZ Teaching Council requirements.
- Regional college classroom Learning Hubs.
- Be a more informed, practice-based teacher of children in ECE settings.
- Gain employment in ECE centres and other related services.
- Positively contribute to teaching teams and communities.
- Pathway to higher learning and NZ teacher registration.
Entry criteria
Academic entryApplicants under 20 years of age must have:
- NCEA level 2 or 3, including 10 literacy credits at level 2 and 10 numeracy credits at level 1 OR
- New Zealand Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 3) OR
- New Zealand Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 4) OR
- An equivalent overseas qualification as assessed by an international qualifications.
- Any applicant who will be under the age of 20 years at the commencement of the programme, who does not meet the general academic entry requirements, may be eligible for discretionary admission. Entry will be considered on a case-by-case basis by Cavalli College.
Applicants over 20 years of age:
- Any applicant who will be over the age of 20 years at the commencement of the programme, who does not meet the general academic entry requirements, will be eligible for special admission. Applicants under this criterion will be required to demonstrate academic ability to complete the programme successfully.
All applicants must meet the requirements of the Children’s Act 2014 and its subsequent amendments, including:
- Providing verified identification.
- Providing evidence of previous education and work history in the selection process.
- Providing at least two written references
- Succeeding in a personal visual interview.
- Meeting the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand’s criteria for determining good character and fitness to be a teacher.
- Attaining a New Zealand Police vetting report.
- Entry for any applicant with any prior convictions will be considered on a case-by-case basis by Cavalli College.
Cavalli College undertakes a risk assessment in accordance with the Children’s Act 2014 including the above information in order to select the applicants for the programme.
English language entryDomestic applicants for whom English is an additional language and te reo Māori is not the first language:
- Evidence of completion of at least three years of secondary education at schools where the learner was taught using English as the language of instruction; or
- Provide evidence of meeting English language requirements according to Rule 22 of the NZQA Programme Approval and Accreditation Rules 2025 for a Level 5 programme; or
- Other proof as deemed acceptable by Cavalli College.
International applicants:
- Must provide evidence of meeting English language requirements according to Rule 22 of the NZQA Programme Approval and Accreditation Rules 2025 for a Level 5 programme.
- Credit for prior formal study may be awarded towards this qualification. Recency is at the discretion of Cavalli College.
- Applicants who have gained their qualification outside New Zealand may be required to provide an International Qualifications Assessment.
- For this programme, credit can only be awarded if there is at least an 80% match with learning outcomes and assessments passed. This includes professional experience placements.
Disclaimer
The listings provided on the Study with New Zealand website ( Study with New Zealand(external link that opens in a new tab) ) are for information and promotional purposes only. ENZ does not endorse any of the education providers listed. The information, content and material provided in the listings is the sole responsibility of each education provider. This search is powered by StudySpy(external link that opens in a new tab).
Please note that degrees and qualifications earned via remote or distance learning are excluded from the overseas credential evaluation and recognition services provided by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE). For more information, please contact CSCSE directly: +86-10-62677800 (phone) or visit their website(external link that opens in a new tab).
You can learn more about international recognition of New Zealand qualifications on the NZQA website.