Christchurch Regional Education Centre

ECNZ is proud to have a Christchurch Regional Education Centre (REC) that offers a broad range of qualifications for those looking to study early childhood education in Christchurch. Our high-quality research-driven programmes include many different ways to learn ECE. If you are considering a career in early childhood in Christchurch, we are recognised as one of the best local providers of study options.

Here at Te Rito Maioha, we are passionate about training the teachers|kaiako of the future to provide the best possible care to our country’s children|tamariki. We offer not only ECE courses in Christchurch but across the country through our 11 Regional Education Centres. Come to us to attain an ECE qualification that will help make you more appealing to potential employers.

Whether you want to study online, attend classes face-to-face, or a mix of both, you can do it with our courses. Better yet, our programmes all have a focus on biculturalism, as we know that teachers need this unique skill set to teach successfully in the Aotearoa|New Zealand environment. We believe that all schools and teachers should integrate the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi into their curriculum, which is why it’s so important that we incorporate knowledge of Māori culture into our lessons.

We offer everything from an ECE certificate through to a master’s degree, so the level of study is entirely up to you. Choose from our broad array of early childhood education courses in Christchurch and find the one which best suits your career goals. Uncover the principles of Montessori philosophies with the Diploma in Early Childhood Education (Aperfield Montessori) or grow your leadership skills with the Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership. Your choice will be based on what you hope to achieve following the completion of your studies.

Why wait to get your career underway? Enrol today to work towards a qualification in ECE in Christchurch with Te Rito Maioha. To learn more about the courses we have to offer you, read the below descriptions. Whether you prefer to learn in person or online, there is an option to suit you.

Graduate Diploma of Teaching in Christchurch
Did you know that if you already have a degree, you can combine this with a Graduate Diploma of Teaching to be able to become a teacher|kaiako? No matter which field your undergraduate degree is in, you can add on this one-year postgraduate diploma to start on the pathway towards getting registered as a teacher. If you have worked as a teacher overseas and would like to be able to teach in Aotearoa|New Zealand, this programme can help you to achieve that goal.

Across this programme, you will learn how to be culturally responsive in the classroom, understand the sociological perspectives behind the construction of childhood, and discover theories of how children|tamariki learn through play. Study primarily from home with some block courses along the way for the ultimate flexible learning experience. You will also gain valuable practical experience in a childcare setting as part of the programme.

Diploma in Early Childhood Education in Christchurch
We are pleased to offer three options for those wanting to study towards a Diploma in Early Childhood Education in Christchurch.

These diplomas are suitable for a range of students. Whether you’re a parent, psychologist, teacher, or unqualified teacher, there is an option to suit your needs.

Our three unique diplomas are:

• NZ Diploma in Early Childhood Education (Aperfield Montessori)
• NZ Diploma in Early Childhood Education (Pasifika)
• NZ Diploma in Early Childhood Education (Home-based Care)

Each of these programmes features a different focus topic so that you can delve deeper into specific aspects of early childhood education. Strengthen your understanding of how to work with Pasifika children|tamariki and families with the Pasifika diploma or become a qualified in home- based care with our level 5 diploma. Alternatively, if you are interested in knowing more about how to teach using the world-famous Montessori philosophies, the Aperfield Montessori diploma could be for you.

Each of these programmes feature a practical element that will see you working in an educational setting to put your knowledge into practice. Most of your learning will occur online, but the Montessori and Pasifika courses also include block courses you will attend in person.

Teacher Education Refresher (TER) Courses in Christchurch
If you want to be a kaiako but it’s been more than five years since your qualification, or you are returning to teaching after a long break, the Teacher Education Refresher course is for you. The TER is designed to enable you to remain on the pathway towards gaining your full practising certificate.

We offer two options, depending on your situation. If you are not currently employed full time as a teacher, you will undertake a practicum in a centre for four weeks. If you are working as a kaiako full time, you will not need to complete this. This makes it easier for those working full time already to study this certificate while they work.

ECE Degrees in Christchurch
If you want to complete an undergraduate degree, you have three options to choose from at our Christchurch Regional Education Centre.

Bachelor of Education (ECE) in Christchurch
Gain an internationally recognised qualification with our Bachelor of Education. Take this course to discover more about social and cultural identity, cultural responsiveness, and professionalism in early childhood education. These are crucial concepts to understand for those in roles where they regularly interact with children|tamariki. You will gain an understanding of how ECE provision has evolved in Aotearoa|New Zealand to where it is today.

This programme is suited to those in roles such as child advocate, policy analyst, and ECE centre manager. Completion of this degree does not enable you to become a teacher|kaiako, but you can qualify as a teacher by undertaking our one-year Graduate Diploma of Teaching (ECE) programme if you wish.

Bachelor of Teaching in Christchurch
We offer a choice of two options for gaining your Bachelor of Teaching, depending on whether you
would prefer to teach in a primary school or ECE setting:

• Bachelor of Teaching (ECE)
• Bachelor of Teaching (Primary)

Each programme will qualify you to become a teacher|kaiako, with one focusing on primary-aged children|tamariki and the other on ECE. Both of these programmes feature a blended learning experience, with the majority of learning completed online. You will also attend block courses to interact face-to-face with your tutors and fellow students and gain experience in the classroom. Study ECE teaching in Christchurch by choosing one of these high-quality courses.

ECE Diploma to Degree Upgrade Programme
Many people complete an ECE diploma and then wish to continue study to gain a Bachelor of Teaching degree, which is why we offer the option to upgrade your diploma into a degree instead of starting again. This course covers leadership in early childhood education, inclusion and marginalisation in an ECE setting, as well as assessment, inquiry, and curriculum design.

Postgraduate ECE in Christchurch
If you are already qualified but wish to deepen your understanding of ECE, you may benefit from completing one of our postgraduate programmes. Each one takes a unique perspective on ECE so that you can choose the one that best meets your career goals. If you wish to continue studying after completing a postgraduate diploma, they can be credited towards a Master of Education.

• Postgraduate Diploma: Infant and Toddler Learning and Development – For individuals who wish to work with infants and children|tamariki three years old or less, this is the ideal qualification. Discover more about how toddlers learn and develop your knowledge of how to support positive outcomes for our children|tamariki.
• Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership (ECE) – Whether you see yourself as a leader or wish to obtain a leadership role, this course can help to develop the relevant skills required. The blend of face-to-face and online learning makes this a flexible option to fit in around your current workload.
• Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership (ECE) Trans-Tasman Initiative – Australia and New Zealand share similar but distinct ECE contexts. We have designed this programme for your trans-Tasman cohort to share knowledge and learn from each other.
• Master of Education (ECE) – You can now study a Master of Education in Christchurch with this fully online course. Learn about biculturalism, pedagogy, ECE leadership, and inclusive education to aid your teaching practises.

Christchurch Regional Education Centre

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