A fundamental aim of the Association is to help our members develop professionally, to continually improve the standard of Home-based childcare services in New Zealand.
To do this, we are committed to creating educational pathways and giving our members access to top-quality, affordable training and qualifications that are relevant to your work with children.
We have partnered with The Open Polytechnic to develop and introduce their new 60-credit qualification, the Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 4).
New Zealand Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 4)
The new Certificate has been specially designed for distance learners, meaning you can study from the comfort of your own home. You'll be armed with the skills and knowledge to work effectively with children and families in a range of early childhood education settings.
Enrolments are open NOW, and right throughout the year, with a course starting on the first Monday of each month, meaning you can get started anytime you're ready.
While the Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 4) is not currently a mandatory qualification for home-based educators and nannies, it can show potential employers that you are a professional who takes your role in children's lives seriously
It is also the perfect starting point if you dream of progressing further with your career and holding a degree, because it is a foundation programme for the Open Polytechnic’s Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education).
NZHBECEA Member Offer
As part of their membership benefits, educators and other individual members can avail of FREE FEES to complete the entire 3 course programme - this is a cost saving of over $1500!
Simply provide your membership number on the enrollment application form. Read more here...
FAQs
What next?
- To enrol in the programme click here
- To read more about the course content and entry requirements click here or go to the Open Polytechnic website,
- The Open Polytechnic Customer Service team can also help, call them free on 0508 650 200, or email customerservices@openpolytechnic.ac.nz
Te Rito Maioha ECNZ believes that the New Zealand Diploma in Early Childhood Education (Home-based Care) gives educators a strong level of knowledge for working within the home-based sector.
The level 5 programme has been designed specifically for home-based educators in consultation with the home-based sector. It focuses on the theory and practice of delivering quality home-based early childhood education and care.
The programme is delivered entirely online with no block courses or practicum components. This means that home-based educators can work and study at the same time.
Additional reasons for studying this course include:
Study pathways
When choosing what programme to study, it’s important to consider future study and career aspirations. An educator who may want to become a Visiting Teacher (VT) will need to eventually complete a Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) and the NZ Diploma in ECE (Home-based Care) has courses that can be credited towards the degree.
The NZ Diploma in ECE (Home-based Care) has two courses (60 credits worth) of study that may be cross credited towards completing the Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) degree.
Review of Home-based ECE
The Government’s final consultation report includes a proposal for a ‘quality rate funding’ (page 14). This means that home-based education providers whose staff hold a level 5 or higher qualification may receive more funding.
Teaching Council
The Teaching Council’s submission to the Review of Home-based ECE, included a response on the minimum qualification they preferred for home-based educators, which was level 5. According to the submission, this was because of the “study pathways into Initial Teacher Education”, and that this “would support greater quality” for educators, tamariki and their whānau.
You can read the Teaching Council’s full submission here.
Fees Free
In 2018, the New Zealand Government launched an initiative to make the first year of tertiary study free. This funding is only available for people who haven’t completed any study at level 3 or higher after leaving school.
The initiative could allow you to complete the NZ Diploma in ECE (Home-based Care) free. To check your eligibility visit this website.
Te Rito Maioha’s NZ Diploma in ECE (Home-based Care) is a level 5 qualification specifically tailored for the needs of the Home-based ECE sector. For more information, you can visit this page or alternatively call us on 0800 244 532.
