Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education)

Entry criteria

Entry Requirements Academic Entry Requirements

The academic entry requirement for the BTECE is one of the following:

• University Entrance (as defined by the NZQA), or equivalent (for international applicants not schooled in New Zealand).
• For applicants under the age of 20 years at the beginning of the academic year, who do not have University Entrance or equivalent, entry may be considered on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the School of Education and Social Sciences policy on discretionary entry.
• For applicants over the age of 20 years at the beginning of the academic year, evidence of the potential to succeed in tertiary study at degree level, including demonstrated literacy and numeracy competence equivalent to that required for University Entrance.

Additional Requirements

• All applicants must be over the age of 17 years at the beginning of the academic year.
• In support of their application, applicants must supply, in a CV, a detailed account of their educational background, evidence of a commitment to care and education for infants, toddlers and young children; experience with children and an openness to learning.
• All applicants must provide two references, using the prescribed Referee Forms, from persons who are not related to the applicant, who can comment on their personal and professional qualities appropriate for early childhood teaching, at least one of whom has observed them working with children.
• All applicants must undergo police vetting in accordance with the Children’s Act 2014.
• All applicants must sign a declaration that they are in good health (having no medical, physical or psychological conditions that would preclude working with children).

Competency in English Language

All applicants must demonstrate an acceptable level of English language fluency prior to acceptance in the programme.

Ways in which this may be demonstrated, besides by New Zealand University Entrance, are detailed in the current Teaching Council Initial Teacher Education Requirements.

For applicants with English as an Additional Language, English language fluency may be demonstrated by:

• An IELTS Academic score of 7, with no band score lower than 7, achieved in a single test within the two years preceding enrolment; or
• An equivalent score on a test of English language proficiency, as set out in the current Teaching Council Initial Teacher Education Requirements, achieved in a single test within the two years preceding enrolment. (See enclosed document for further information).

Early Childhood Education and Care Setting Requirements

Prior to the beginning of the academic year, to undertake field-based teacher education all enrolled student teachers must:

• Be working (employed or non-employed) for a minimum of 12 hours per week in a licensed early childhood setting, during the EIT term.
• Be supported at the setting by a qualified mentor teacher who is registered and holds a current full practicing certificate. NOTE: The Memorandum of Agreement between the setting and EIT must be signed by the setting and returned prior to commencement of the programme. As necessary, two copies of the Terms of Reference document for non-employed student teachers needs to be signed by the setting and student teacher prior to commencement of the programme. The setting keeps one copy, and the other is returned prior to commencement of the programme.
• Meet the requirements of the Children’s Act (2014). Children’s Act (2014) letter must be sighted by the setting and signed by the student teacher.

Internal Selection Process

Applicants meeting the entry requirements will be required to participate in both a group and individual interview. This is the first step to ensure that graduating student teachers have the qualities and dispositions enabling them to meet the Standards for the Teaching Profession. The interviews are conducted by a panel comprising EIT BTECE teacher educators, usually assisted by an Early Childhood Education sector representative or other EIT academic representative. Interviews will be conducted in an equitable and professional manner, with every endeavour to make applicants feel at ease. Applicants may bring family/whānau for support. Areas considered by the selection panel include:

• Personal qualities;
• Professional qualities;
• Knowledge and experience of pre-school aged children;
• Other work and community experience; and
• Cultural knowledge and understanding.

Applicants will also be required to pass:

• A literacy competency assessment set by the School of Education and Social Sciences, EIT; and
• a numeracy competency assessment set by the School of Education and Social Sciences, EIT. In preparation for this, applicants may find the following resources useful: –